In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Wednesday 27 July 2016

HARVEY [1950]

You can't really go wrong with Jimmy Stewart and a 6-foot tall bunny.
The screen treatment of Mary Chase's comedic stageplay, Harvey, tells the story of an alcoholic who is the bane of his sister & niece's social life because his best buddy is a big ol' bunny that only he can see and hear.
At best it's 'gentle chuckle' funny but never gets outright outrageous nor does it really pack the wit it could have with the bizarre subject matter.  If anything, the film is classic only because of it's eccentric premise and not the actual final product.  Still, it's just harmlessly entertaining with enough meat to conjure a few conversations afterwards.  
As far as classic Stewart films go this one isn't an essential but fares better as light-hearted family fun.

3½ bunny names which should not be spoken out of 5

3 comments:

Dr Faustus said...

I was talking about Harvey with someone just last week. It put me in the mood for watching it, but I don't own it.

cuckoo said...

It came with a $4 box set of 3 films.

Kind of weird random set actually...
...Touch of Evil and Spartacus are in it too.

I already had Spartacus but $4 was cheaper than buying Touch and Harvey on their own.

I don't think I'll need a better transfer or upgrade of Harvey but if Touch is really good I'll seek out a better version.

Dr Faustus said...

That is an odd selection. But all good films. Usually there's two good and one coaster.