It may not be as iconic as Airplane! or The Naked Gun, but Harvey stands out as a worthwhile showcase of Leslie Nielsen’s acting talents. The Naked Gun‘s recent reboot starring Liam Neeson has brought Leslie Nielsen’s legendary performances in Airplane! and The Naked Gun series into the public eye once more.
However, what many are unaware of is Nielsen’s past career as a serious dramatic actor—a bedrock that fueled his boom in the ‘80s and ‘90s as a true comedic great.
This pivot culminated with Harvey, a 1996 NBC TV adaptation of the 1950 classic starring James Stewart as a whimsical man who’s best friends with an invisible 6-foot rabbit. Though the remake failed to garner acclaim from audiences, the film is far more charming than its reviews may suggest, especially due to Nielsen’s fun, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpan performance.
Leslie Nielson Had A Major Role In A Better-Than-Expected Remake Of Harvey
In the remake, Leslie Nielsen plays Dr. Chumley, a skeptical psychiatrist who bites off more than he can chew with Elwood P. Dowd (Harry Anderson), a gentle bachelor who is friends with the тιтular invisible rabbit “Harvey.” As the story unfolds, Chumley’s beliefs are routinely put to the test after Elwood’s sister Veta (Swoosie Kurtz) admits she also sees Harvey.
What’s hilarious about Nielsen in Harvey (apart from his hard-to-place accent) is the earnestness of his performance, particularly when he confides to Elwood that if he could stop time he would travel to Akron and confide to a beautiful woman things he’s never told a soul. Indeed, Nielsen’s dramatic background adds credence that other comedic actors often struggle to replicate.
How The Harvey Remake Compares To The Original
As earnest as the 1996 adaptation is, however, it doesn’t hold a candle to the original. James Stewart’s warm and whimsical take on Elwood P. Dowd is simply delightful, and his presence elevates the performances of the actors and actresses around him, including Josephine Hull, whose role as Elwood’s sister Veta won Best Supporting Actress at the 23rd Academy Awards.
James Stewart’s Harvey is itself an adaptation of a 1944 play by journalist and playwright Mary Chase.
Although the Nielsen remake is quite charming and also includes a charismatic cast with strong chemistry, James Stewart’s Harvey holds this elusive energy that makes it much more than just a heartfelt comedy, and instead a commentary on the human condition and our willingness to suspend disbelief in the name of joy and intimate connection.
Nevertheless, in accordance with The Naked Gun‘s honoring of Leslie Nielsen’s memory (in the silliest way possible), be sure to check out his nearly 30-year-old Harvey for a whirlwind of laughs, gaffes, and true heartfelt moments from the late ᴅᴇᴀᴅpan legend behind some of Hollywood’s goofiest films to date.
