Each month, one of our VIFF+ Premium members picks a favourite movie to share. For December, Julie Ferguson has suggested one of James Stewart’s most beloved films (but not It’s A Wonderful Life!). Jule has this to say: “Harvey (1950) is such a meaningful film because it combines whimsy and charm with deeper themes. Jimmy Stewart’s performance is outstanding, bringing warmth and sincerity to the story. It’s a lighthearted film that cleverly touches on mental health, encouraging us to embrace kindness, imagination, and the value of seeing the world a little differently.”
Julie didn’t mention Stewart’s eponymous best friend: a 6’ 3 1/2 inch rabbit, perhaps because he’s invisible. When Elwood P Down (Stewart) insists on introducing Harvey to all and sundry, his sister Veta tries to have him committed to a sanatorium — but suffers a set-back when she admits she occassionally sees the rabbit too.
A movie that only a case-hardened wowser would fail to find beguiling.
John McCarten, The New Yorker
Henry Koster
James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Charles Drake, Cecil Kellaway, Wallace Ford, Harvey
USA
1950
English
Book Tickets
Monday December 07
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Credits
Screenwriter
Mary Chase, Oscar Brodney
Cinematography
William H. Daniels
Editor
Ralph Dawson
Original Music
Frank Skinner
Art Director
Bernard Herzbrun, Nathan Juran
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