This morning, Barry Staver and I will be attending the Colorado Pen Show. If you’re a fountain pen enthusiast and will be at the show, please stop and say “Hi!”
Today’s Post by Joe Farace
Years ago, my mother used to say to me, she’d say “In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so so smart, or oh so pleasant.” Well, for years I was smart… I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.— Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey
Recently I had a chance to watch two classic films that were made from successful Broadway plays. The movies were Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and Harvey (1950.) Arsenic and Old Lace was based on a stage play written by Joseph Kesselring in 1939. The film was directed by the legendary Frank Capra and received no Oscar nominations. Harvey was written by Margaret Chase in 1944 and she received the Pulitzer Prize for her work. The film version was directed Henry Koster, who also directed two of my favorite films My Man Godfrey (1957) and The Bishop’s Wife (1947) plus an amazing assortment of films including the first CinemaScope movie—The Robe (1953.)
The Movies vs. The Plays
The films have two major similarities: They were both shot in black and white and co-star Josephine Hull, who won an Oscar as best Supporting Actress for her role in Harvey. Interestingly, Ms. Hull—that’s her in the middle looking at Grant— originated her part in both of these films on Broadway. My guess was that she was so perfectly cast that the movie’s directors could not imagine anyone else in these roles.
Of the two films Arsenic and Old Lace feels the most stage bound and Capra opens the movie with a prologue that takes the action away from the living room of the two aunt’s home were most of the play takes place. Occasionally he moves the action outside the house onto an incredible sound stage set that should have won the production designer Oscar but didn’t. Harvey on the other hand feels more filmic although a bulk of the action is set in Elwood P. Dowd’s home and in the sanitarium where they try to have poor Elwood committed. There is enough change of scenery outside these sets, such as Charlie’s Bar and on city streets, although I’m sure it’s Universal’s back lot but the change of setting all serve to open up the film’s look.
A word about Casting: In Arsenic and Old Lace, Cary Grant is at his slapstick best. Likewise his two aunts portrayed by Josephine Hull and Jean Adair, both from the original Broadway cast, are funny and ingratiating. John Alexander as “Teddy Roosevelt” Brewster, who also starred in the Broadway play, almost steals the film whenever he’s on screen. But Raymond Massey, an actor who I hold in the highest regard, does just the opposite. Whenever he’s on screen, he drops the comedic tone and makes the movie lose all of the fun that Peter Lorre brings to his role as Dr. Einstein. On stage Massey’s part was played by Boris Karloff and I can’t help but think that he would have been wonderful in the film.
Casting for Harvey is the most perfect that I have ever seen in any movie. There is a large number of speaking parts and even the roles played by the charming ladies attending the tea at the Dowd’s home tea party, who have only brief on-screen time, are pitch perfect and perfectly hysterical in their roles. That also goes for every cast member in the film from roles as small the gate keeper at the Sanitarium (Clem Bevans) to the bartender at Charlie’s Bar (Dick Wessel)—they are all at the top of their acting talents. Cecil Kellaway should have received at an Oscar nomination for his role as Dr. Chumley; He’s funny and touching at the same time. I could go on an on but the real glue of the film is James Stewart performance as Elwood P. Dowd and who played the role on the London stage. (In the Broadway play, the lead was portrayed by Frank Fay.) Stewart should have received an Oscar for this role because of the gentleness and insight he brings to this part,
The Movies
Arsenic and Old Lace can be fun when Cary Grant and the two aunts are on screen. The truth is when anybody other than Raymond Massey is on screen the movie is enjoyable. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray version of this film is beautiful to watch and while of all of Frank Capra’s films are wonderful. I think this is his least successful one. (Don’t get me started on It’s a Wonderful Life; please watch my video about Christmas films to see what I think about that film.) If you absolutely positively want to have a physical media copy of this movie.wait until the Criterion 50% off sale at Barnes and Noble.
On the other hand, I enthusiastically recommend that you pick up a copy of Harvey. For all of you who think “they don’t make’em like they used to,” this is Exhibit One. I can’t imagine this film being produced today it’s too gentle and filled with the type of kindly humor that makes you smile from frame one and laugh out loud lots of times. The humor is timeless. I only got to see the film on a DVD that I picked up from the library but it was a pretty good transfer. I would love to own a Blu-ray of the film. I just added it to my Amazon wish list.