Harvey (1998) (TV)

Director:

George Schaefer

Writers (WGA):

Mary Chase (play)
Joseph Dougherty (teleplay)

Release Date:

18 July 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy

Plot:

An unlikely hero, Elwood P. Dowd. This mild-mannered-but-eccentric bachelor has, for several years, happily kept company with Harvey...

Plot Keywords:

Party | Rabbit | One Word Title | Animal Name In Title | Imaginary Creature

Cast

Harry Anderson	...	Elwood P. Dowd
Leslie Nielsen	...	Dr. Chumley
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Veta Simmons
Jonathan Banks	...	C.J. Lofgren, cab driver
Jessica Hecht	...	Miss Ruth Kelly
William Schallert	...	Judge Gaffney
Lisa Akey	...	Myrtle Mae Simmons
Jim O'Heir	...	Duane Wilson
Robert Wisden	...	Dr. Sanderson
Lynda Boyd	...	Mrs. Chumley
Alex Ferguson	...	Zabladowski
Sheila Moore	...	Mrs. Chauvenet
Sheelah Megill	...	Miss Tewksbury
Robin Kelly	...	Mrs. Greenwalt
Ingrid Tesch	...	Girl Reporter

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Don Gregory Productions

Trivia:

Filmed in 1996 but not broadcast until 1999.

Movie Connections:

Version of Harvey (1972) (TV)

Good performances but too stagy

I've wanted to see the old version of Harvey for years, but I always seem to miss it, so I snagged the DVD of this when I found it. I like Harry Anderson far more than Jimmy Stewart, so I thought I'd like this version better anyway... but it left me really wanting to see the original. This one was likable, but something was more than a little amiss.

As the film ended, I noticed it was dated 1996, and after seeing it, I can understand why it was shelved for three years. Most of the performances are top-notch (particularly Swoosie Kurtz, who devours the scenery whole) and would have worked beautifully on the stage. On film, however, it barely works. The screenplay seems to have been too closely adapted from the stage version, with stilted wording, awkward pauses for audience laughter and completely unrealistic dialog that simply doesn't flow on film. The direction was competent, but neither the acting nor direction could make up for the script's shortcomings.

Which brings me back to the acting. Leslie Nielsen was completely and utterly miscast as the wacky German doctor -- most likely for his name value. His performance in this film was almost painful to watch, and the actions of his character were virtually senseless. The rest of the cast, however, were perfect for their roles. Anderson exudes charm as Elwood P. Dowd, Kurtz stole every scene as his sister, Jessica Hecht was just smarmy enough as the nurse -- even Jonathan Banks was wonderful in an over-billed cameo as a cab driver. It's just a shame that they weren't given a better script to work with.

I didn't dislike this film, but I'd hoped to like it more than I did. I surmise that this is a prime example of why the classics shouldn't be remade.