Harvey (Continued)


Chumley’s Sanatorium is where the movie’s real fun hits high gear.  Veta is so flustered and overexcited by what is taking place that the young resident psychiatrist, Dr. Sanderson (Charles Drake), mistakes her for the one in need of evaluation and has her committed, while he finds Elwood to be pleasantly normal.  In the course of the craziness that follows, it comes out that Dr. Sanderson’s nurse, Kelley (Peggy Dow) is in love with the doctor but he doesn’t see it, so Elwood and Harvey set out to get them together.  Also in the midst of this zaniness and hilarity, Myrtle Mae finds love with one of the blue-collar sanatorium employees (Jesse White).

Dr. Chumley (Cecil Kellaway) learns of the mistake and leads out on a search to find the missing Elwood that takes him, Dr. Sanderson and Kelley to a downtown tavern.  In the back alley of this bar the heart touching scene takes place where Elwood explains how he met Harvey, and also how his mother always told him “in this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant” and how Elwood had for years had chosen smart, but now he recommends pleasant.

When all make it back to the sanatorium, Elwood and Harvey go with Dr. Chumley into his private office where Elwood explains, “I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out”.  The doctor ends up laying on his own couch and is so impressed with Harvey that he begins telling Elwood his secrets.  Meanwhile, Dr. Sanderson is in his office mixing up a batch of “Formula 977” that will make Elwood normal again.  Elwood is willing to drink it if it will make his sister happy, so Veta is faced with the decision of which Elwood does she want, the carefree one who loves flowers and thinks every day is a beautiful day, or the “normal” one.

“Harvey” is a whimsical family-friendly movie, a literal comedy of errors leaving you wondering who really needs to be committed.  It is a timeless classic, and one of Jimmy Stewart’s personal favorites.  It poles fun at the psychiatric profession but at the same time makes you re-evaluate your perception of reality verses illusion, and what really is normal.  If you like slapstick, screwball humor with an uplifting yet bittersweet storyline, then “Harvey” is for you.

The DVD version preserves the Black & White quality of the original.  There is an introduction narrated in 1990 by Jimmy Stewart which is a collector’s item in itself for all Jimmy Stewart fans - and who isn’t?