1) Description
James Stewart stars as Elwood P. Dowd, a wealthy alcoholic whose sunny disposition and drunken antics are tolerated by most of the citizens of his community. That is, until Elwood begins to claim that he has a friend named Harvey who is an invisisble six foot rabbit. Elwood's snooty socialite sister, Veta, determined to marry off her daughter Myrtle to a respectable man, begins to plot to keep Elwood's lunacy from interfering.

2) Amazon.com
It's always a small surprise to revisit this movie and realize what a subtly dark performance James Stewart gives as an alcoholic who claims he keeps company with a six-foot-tall, invisible rabbit. As Elwood P. Dowd, the actor emits a faint whiff of decay and spirits, yet Stewart also embraces Dowd's romanticism and grace with splendid ease. Based on a hit play and directed by Henry Koster, the film is terribly funny at times, especially whenever Elwood decides it's only polite to introduce Harvey to complete strangers. The supporting cast can't be beat. --Tom Keogh

1) Oh, so pleasant...   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Walking into `Harvey', I didn't really know what to expect. I wasn't sure if this was a drama or a comedy or both. It's both. I think it is more of a dark comedy, one that is superficially light and cheery but that packs a wallop if you are willing to sit back and take it in for what it is `really' saying. There is definitely a darkness here.The film tells the story of Elwood P. Dowd, a drunk who has been left everything by his late mother. He is now taking care of his eldest sister and her daughter. Elwood's sister Veta and her daughter Myrtle Mae are at their wits end with Elwood. You see, since moving in they have been introduced to his imaginary friend Harvey, a 6 foot, 3 ½ inch white rabbit who seems to be Elwood's closest companion. Elwood's outlandish behavior (in their eyes outlandish) has humiliated them for the last time. Myrtle Mae is on the verge of becoming a spinster because of it all and so Veta finally decides to have her brother admitted to a psychiatric hospital. I think it would be safe to say that Elwood has a guardian angel by his side.The film dips into hilarity as a mix up at the hospital leaves Veta admitted and Elwood on the loose. As the hospital attempts to rectify their mistake it becomes obvious to almost everyone that Elwood is as normal as he needs to be.The Pooka (Celtic folklore come to life) that illuminates Elwood's life is left an enigma for the audience. It almost appears as the film draws to a close that we are to conclude he is not a mere figment but an actual reality, but then again that would almost be too easy. The real center of this film has a lot to do with the way that we as humans deal with trauma (the loss of a loved one) and how we deal with change. Looking at Veta and Myrtle Mae's situation, basically being cared for by a relative they deem unfit, they are reacting aggressively to the idea of change. Their acceptance of Elwood hinges on how it will affect them, not how it is affecting Elwood. In fact, Elwood has countless friends and is relatively happy with his life, and yet his close relatives are determined to change him to fit their needs.For me, the film almost nails it. Some scenes seem to be a little too unfocused, but overall I was very pleased with the film. I think that this is a film some will really enjoy and others will find preposterous and a tad corny. It can come off rather silly at times, and the films eventual conclusion could have used a little more direction, but a sign of the times lies in the wholesome endings seen in films of this nature.That said, James Stewart's performance is impeccable. When the film started I actually felt he was overdoing it, but as the film progressed I realized that this was that man he was portraying and all his quirks seemed natural. Stewart was one of the greatest actors to ever grace the big screen, and this is yet further proof of that. The character of Elwood P. Dowd is one of the best I've ever seen, truly fleshed out and entirely alive inside. He is unique and yet relatable in all the right ways. Thanks to Stewart's flawless performance, this delusional man (is he?) becomes someone we know and love and feel. Josephine Hull won a deserved Oscar for her portrayal of Veta, the exasperated sister who doesn't fully understand what it is she is expecting of her innocent little brother.In the end I definitely recommend this film. It is a great slice of entertainment with a poignant message we all do well to pay attention to.

2) Harvey   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
A great film and one of James Stewarts best with great acting by him and all of the cast.

3) Shipped damaged!   [Rating: 3 out of 5]
The DVD disc itself was in good shape, but the movie was obviously shipped damaged. The DVD case was crushed on the right hand side so badly, it needed to be replaced. It still had shrink wrap on it and was shipped in the proper shipping container. There was not a mark on the box itself and there was sufficient packing material. It was necessary to purchase empty DVD cases to replace the one shipped.

4) AN ALL TIME COMEDY CLASSIC   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I WILL AGREE WITH ANYONE WHO SAYS THIS MOVIE IS GREAT BECAUSE IT IS. IT'S A WONDERFUL COMEDY WITH A UNIQUE CHARM ALL IT'S OWN. JIMMY STEWART'S PERFORMACE WAS FILLED WITH AN INNOCENT CHILD-LIKE WONDER, AT TIMES OBLVIOUS TO THE REALITY AROUND HIM AND AT TIMES, BEMUSED AND CONFUSED BY PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO HIS FRIEND, THE INVISIBLE 7 OR 8 FOOT TALL WHITE RABBIT NAMED HARVEY, WHO, CAN STAND ON TWO LEGS, AS EVIDENCED BY THE PORTRAIT OF JIMMY AND HARVEY THAT HANGS IN THE DRAWING ROOM OF THEIR HOUSE.THERE ARE GREAT PERFORMANCES ALL AROUND IN THIS FILM, THE DIRECTION AND WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY AND LIGHTING GUYS ALL DID A GREAT JOB. THE EXTRAS WHO HAD NON SPEAKING ROLES AND THE ACTORS WHO HAD BIT PARTS ALL DID A GREAT JOB. EVEN THE EXTRAS HAD TO REACT TO THE INVISIBLE RABBIT. HENRY KOSTER DIRECTED THIS FILM BUT IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN MISTAKEN FOR A FRANK CAPRA COMEDY.THERE ARE TWO GREAT SIGHT GAGS IN THIS AMONG, AMONG OTHERS. ONE IS IN A DEN WHERE JIMMY'S AUNT IS CALLING A JUDGE TO HAVE HIM PUT IN A NUT HOUSE. JIMMY THEN ENTERES THE ROOM, INTERRUPTING HER CALL, SHE PUTS THE PHONE DOWN MOMENTARILY AND STARTS TO LEAVE THE ROOM AND THEN REENTER IT AS JIMMY SITS IN A CHAIR. A UNSEEN VOICE IS HEARD, SAYING, HELL? HELLO? JIMMY LOOKS UP AND SAYS, 'DID YOU SAY SOMETHING, HARVEY?" JIMMY'S AUNT LOOKS NERVOUSLY AROUND THE ROOM, FEARFUL THAT THIS STRANGE VOICE IS INDEED THE INVISIBLE RABBIT HARVEY WHOSE VOICE SHE MAY NOW BE HEARING. THE VOICE TURNED OUT TO BE THE VOICE OF THE AGITATED JUDGE ON THE TELEPHONE.ANOTHER FUNNY GAG IS JIMMY STEWART IN THE REAR OF A TAXI CAB. AS SOON AS THE CABBIE REALIZES JIMMY IS NUTS, WE SEE THR CABBIE IN THE FRONT SEAT QUIETLY REACHING FOR A PLUMBER'S WRENCH FOR PROTECTION AS HE HUGS IT CLOSE TO HIS CHEST, LOOKING NERVOUSLY BACK AT JIMMY IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR. BUY THIS DVD AND MAKE IT PART OF YOUR DVD COLLECTION. THE CHARACTERS AND THE PLOT WORK WELL HAND IN HAND FROM START TO FINSH. NEVER BORING.

5) How an Invisible Rabbit Changed Their Lives   [Rating: 2 out of 5]
Harvey, 1950 filmThe film begins at the 19th century mansion of the Dowd family. Elwood P. Dowd gets a telegram, he acts strange in talking to an invisible being. He is the sole heir to the family fortune. [An argument for the Law of Division.] The manners of that time are show. "The Doctor will see you in a minute." There is a scene in a bar. A buxom singer entertains at the Dowd parlor. Aunt Ethel learns about "Harvey". She leaves, and so do all of her guests. Veta calls the Judge to take the needed steps. Dr. Sanderson the psychiatrist questions Veta about her brother (who visits cheap taverns). Mrs. Simmons tells him about Harvey. Who is the patient? Dr. Sanderson fears a lawsuit now! There is a conversation at cross purposes (a comedy of manners). "He seemed like a reasonable sort of fellow." Willy Chumley tries to straighten out the mess. What is a "Pookah"?Veta returns home a nervous wreck. She tells what happened to her at the Rest Home. They let Elwood go. Wilson arrives to search for Elwood. "Have you seen Harvey?" Judge Gaffney will sue. Dr. Sanderson, Nurse Kelly, and Wilson find Elwood in Charley's Bar. They have a discussion. Where is Dr. Chumley? Elwood tells what he does in the bars. He meets people, but they leave after being told about Harvey. A frightened Dr. Chumley returns to the Rest Home. There is a conversation, Chumley now believes in Harvey. Elwood now questions Chumley, a reversal of roles. Elwood is offered serum #977 to bring him back to reality. But he prefers his fantasy. "Don't be a fool." The taxi driver tells what will happen after the treatment. Veta objects, so there will be a happy ending. Is it believable?This was based on a Pulitzer Prize winning stage play. Was it changed for Hollywood? What does this say about popular tastes in the late 1940s? This is a story about a decaying family that is not as wealthy as the previous generation. Elwood, the main heir, does not have a job. He spends his time visiting bars and inviting strange men back to his home. His aunt Veta has his Power of Attorney and lives in the family mansion with her unmarried daughter. There seems to be no other relatives, or they avoid them. The author created a comedy from this sad situation. Was it based on a true event? Do films still treat psychiatry as a joke today? A person who talks to an invisible being may be suffering from schizophrenia. This also raises a philosophical question. Can anyone believe in something that most others deny exists?