Steve GannHarvey: Remaking A Classic
December 7th 2009 23:05
The classic film Harvey from 1950 starring Jimmy Stewart has always been one of my favorite films. Stewart's character, Elwood Dowd, is the closest that I have seen in film to attaining total bliss. He is the character that I would model my life after if only free will and society didn't constantly interfere with my attitude.
The film, which is in the top 250 of IMDB's greatest films, was taken from a play written by Mary Chase. It feature's Dowd with his co-star, a six foot tall invisible rabbit. This friendship between Dowd and Harvey serves as a social liability to Dowd's sister Veta and his niece Mytle Mae. It is a wonderful film and one I have watched probably fifty times.
Imagine my surprise when I was channel surfing the other night only to find a 1998 remake. The film starred Harry Anderson of Night Court fame in the role of Dowd and Swoosie Kurtz as Veda. I reluctantly tuned in and while Anderson did surprise me with a honest effort, it was a film that did not need to be remade.
I do credit the cast and for legendary director George Schaefer, who directed many of the Hallmark Hall of Fame episodes, for maining the orginal dialogue from the film as well as keeping the timeline.
If you are a fan of the original, I don't think this attempt would offend you. Check out the Hallmark Channel for viewing times.
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