Moments of Movie Wisdom: Oh, So Pleasant is ‘Harvey’ (1950)

Publicity still for the film “Harvey” (1950). MovieStillsDB

Commentary

Jimmy Stewart is one of the most beloved actors from the Golden Era or any other era of Hollywood. He’s best remembered as the wealthy dreamer in “You Can’t Take It with You” (1938), the courageous defender of liberty in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), and the unsung hero of Bedford Falls in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946). These three Frank Capra movies are indeed some of Stewart’s finest works. However, the talented actor also gave brilliant performances in his other films, which are less remembered today. In each of these roles, you can see the wholesome, honest everyman quality which made him the ideal Capra leading man.

Today’s moment of movie wisdom is from “Harvey” (1950). It takes place 71 minutes into this 104-minute film. Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart) is a lovable fellow whose sister, Veta (Josephine Hull), is trying to have him put in a mental institution, because he insists that his best friend is a giant white rabbit named Harvey, which is invisible to everyone but him. A young psychiatrist (Charles Drake) and his attractive nurse (Peggy Dow) end up tracking Elwood to his favorite bar, where he tells them his philosophy on life, as told him by his mother. He recalls that she said one could either be smart or pleasant. After years of trying to be smart, he recommends being pleasant instead. This film reveals that being “oh, so pleasant” is often enough to get one committed to a sanitarium.

The Film

Elwood P. Dowd is an unmarried middle-aged man who lives in a large home in a small town with his widowed older sister and her cynical grown daughter, Myrtle Mae (Victoria Horne). The two women are frustrated because they have lost all their friends due to Elwood’s eccentricity. While Veta is trying to find a beaux for Myrtle Mae, Elwood spends his time going to the local bars with his invisible friend, Harvey. Harvey is a 6 ft 3 ½ in-tall Pooka, which is a friendly but mischievous Celtic fairy spirit in animal form. Harvey’s form is an amicable rabbit who is very devoted to Elwood, and vice versa. However, Elwood doesn’t seem to realize that no one else can see Harvey.

Veta and Myrtle Mae can’t just move out, since Elwood supports them. Instead, they have to move him out! Veta talks to her friend and legal advisor, Judge Omar Gaffney (William H. Lynn), who helps her gain her brother’s power of attorney and advises her to put him in a sanitarium. However, when Veta emotionally describes the dilemma to admitting psychiatrist Dr. Sanderson (Drake), he believes that she is the mental patient in the family. Sanderson, Nurse Kelly (Dow), and Orderly Wilson (Jesse White) end up apologizing to Elwood for trying to commit him. He bears no ill will toward them and cheerfully goes on his way, giving them permission to give Veta whatever medical care she needs. Sanderson and Kelly are soon in big trouble with the boss, Dr. Chumley (Cecil Kellaway), when he finds out that they committed the wrong person! They frantically search for Elwood all over town, but they begin wondering if his kindness is something that is better left uncured.

Publicity still for the film “Harvey” (1950). MovieStillsDB

The Scene

After Dr. Sanderson and Miss Kelly realize that Elwood was the person who was supposed to be committed, they begin frantically canvassing the town to find him. They know that his favorite hangouts are the local bars, and they end up finding him at his favorite bar, Charlie’s. He’s happily sitting in a booth, enjoying a drink with Harvey. He invites his new friends to join him for a drink. They pepper him with questions about his family, Harvey, and Dr. Chumley, who was supposed to have met him there earlier. He tells them about how he first met the pooka. Sanderson clearly thinks that he is a lunatic, but Miss Kelly is enchanted by his gentlemanly charm.

Elwood is very sensitive and perceptive, so he immediately realizes that Miss Kelly is in love with Dr. Sanderson. Despite his supposed expertise in studying human nature, Sanderson himself is completely ignorant of her affection for him. Elwood can’t understand how a young man wouldn’t be interested in the beautiful, sweet young lady, so he encourages their romance as much as possible. He invites them to dance together, but as they are on the dance floor, they realize that he has left the booth! He isn’t trying to escape them, however. He just stepped out into the alley for a breath of air. Out there, they talk further, and Elwood tells them his thoughts on life.

Its Significance

Dr. Sanderson tries to ask probing questions to find some deep psychological reason for Elwood’s invention of Harvey. All his theories run into dead ends, and the audience begins to feel that Sanderson and the other psychiatrists are less stable than Elwood! When he first meets Miss Kelly at the sanitarium, there is an immediate attraction between them. Naturally, she is charmed by his kindness toward her. He pays her compliments, gives her flowers, and treats her like a lady. You know that she is destined to end up with Dr. Sanderson, but there is an understanding between these two characters which is very deep and touching.

Elwood seems very naïve, simple, and even crazy to others because of his extreme kindness. It’s sad to admit, but being that loving toward one’s fellow man just doesn’t seem like normal adult behavior. In this scene, Elwood explains the reason behind it: “Years ago, my mother used to say to me, she'd say, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be’—she always called me Elwood—‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.” Quote you we do, Mr. Dowd, and gladly!

What’s a Normal Person?

Elwood P. Dowd is supposed to be crazy. He certainly is very ... unusual. He’s the kind of person who could be described as eccentric, free-spirited, or quirky. Many of his acquaintances and family think that he’s an alcoholic or a crackpot. However, strangers who come across him can’t help but be touched by his simple kindness, honesty, and generosity. He is extremely gregarious and welcoming. He never meets a stranger; he treats every person he encounters like an old friend. And he doesn’t require much to be entertained. He’s happy with whatever he’s doing, since he always enjoys the company he’s keeping at the moment.

James Stewart brings this character to life perfectly. He makes us love Elwood and even imagine that we can see Harvey ourselves! This character and this whole film remind us that we should all take the time to talk to a stranger, share a conversation with a friend, and enjoy the simple moments of life.