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Harvey (1998) (TV)
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Overview
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Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
18 July 1999 (USA)
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Plot:
An unlikely hero, Elwood P. Dowd. This mild-mannered-but-eccentric bachelor has, for several years, happily kept company with Harvey...
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(3 articles)
A Zombie Holocaust on the page
(From Fangoria. 7 May 2009, 12:04 PM, PDT)
Fantastic Fest 2008 Filmmaker Guests
(From FantasticFest. 8 September 2008, 2:37 PM, PDT)
(From Fangoria. 7 May 2009, 12:04 PM, PDT)
Fantastic Fest 2008 Filmmaker Guests
(From FantasticFest. 8 September 2008, 2:37 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Good performances but too stagy
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 |
Additional Details
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Runtime:
120 min
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1.33 : 1 more
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Trivia:
Filmed in 1996 but not broadcast until 1999.
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Harvey (1998) (TV)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Is it funny at all? | Hyokano |
| Any Re-Broadcast? | carehm |
Recommendations
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| IMDb Fantasy section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |

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.