Affable tippler Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) lives with his sister, Veta (Josephine Hull), and her bashful daughter. They hate his drinking, but what rankles them more is his faithful companion: a 6-foot-tall invisible rabbit named Harvey. Elwood's embarrassing flight of fancy is foiling Veta's plans to marry off her daughter, so Veta decides to commit Elwood. But when she confesses she's seen Harvey, the doctor institutionalizes Veta instead!

STARRING

James Stewart, Victoria Horne, Charles Drake, Jesse White, Josephine Hull, Cecil Kellaway

DIRECTOR

Henry Koster

LENGTH

105 Minutes

CATEGORY & RATING

Comedy (Not Rated)

AWARDS

1951 Academy Award: Best Supporting Actress: Josephine Hull
1951 Academy Award: Best Actor nominee: James Stewart
AFI: Top 100 Laughs

POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC ISSUES

QUESTIONS

Write short essay answers to any four of the following six questions.

1. In this film, might the dysfunctional Dowd family (comprised of Elwood P. Dowd, Veta Simmons, Mirtle Mae, and the Judge), have its contrasting parallel “family” in the guise of Chumley's Residence (composed of Dr. Chumley, Dr. Sanderson, Miss Kelly, and Mr. Wilson)? Might Miss Kelly be the counterpart in her "family" to Elwood in his? Please compare some of the dysfunctional elements, styles, or features shared by the two families.

2. Vita speaks to Dr. Chumley about art and the difference between oil painting and photographs. “The photograph shows only the (surface) reality, the painting shows not only the reality but the dream behind it. It's our dreams doctor that carry us on — separate us from the beasts.” Has Vita “unconsciously” discovered the explanation for why Elwood created Harvey?

3. The taxi driver thinks that Elwood is a “sweet guy” and laments what he will be like after taking “that stuff” (formula 977). He says, “It changes them…After this, he'll be a perfectly normal human being — and you know what stinkers they are!” Should people strive to be “normal” or their own unique selves? If science developed a drug to make us all “normal”, would you want to inject it? Would you advise clients to take it?

4. Describe a treatment plan for one of the characters in the film assuming he or she came to you for psychotherapy.

5. What did you learn from the film that you believe will enhance your clinical skills?

6. How might clients benefit from viewing the film and discussing it in therapy?

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