Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 23, 1990 TAG: 9005230174
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Neither "Harvey" (1950) nor "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (1967) could be classified as "great" films. Both of them are based on plays and their roots in the stage are apparent. But at the same time, both are lively and fun, and they tell terrific stories.
"How to Succeed" suffers the most in transition to video. It was made for a wide screen and so you miss a lot of action during the big production numbers, particularly that grand tongue-in-cheek finale, "Brotherhood of Man." The screen is meant to be filled with dozens of capering corporate executives, but when confined to the small screen, most are lost. Even so, there's still a lot to enjoy in this one.
In many ways, the story could hardly be more timely. J. Pierpont Finch (Robert Morse) is a hard-charging young man who buys the self-help paperback of the title, and sets off on a heady rise to the top of the Worldwide Wicket Company. He makes his way up the corporate ladder by lying, cheating and fawning as the situation demands. The plot is similar to "Wall Street." But in this case, it's told with an oversized sense of humor. Imagine a combination of "In Search of Excellence" and "Pee Wee's Playhouse" and you're getting close.
The comedy ranges from broad parody to the sly wit of many of the song lyrics. The best are "The Company Way," "It's Been a Long Day" and "I Believe in You" which contains this ageless couplet:
"You have the cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth
Yet with the slam bang tang reminiscent of gin and vermouth."
The supporting cast led by Rudy Vallee and Michele Lee couldn't be better. Choreographer Bob Fosse and arranger Nelson Riddle contributed instantly recognizable work to the stage production and it shows through on the screen. Writer/producer/director David Swift gave the entire production the gleaming polish of a big-budget Hollywood musical.
In the end, "How to Succeed . . ." is filled with enough energy and enthusiasm to overcome the limitations of video.
"Harvey," on the other hand fits perfectly on the small screen. It's a more intimate black-and-white fantasy that celebrates the quiet virtues of pleasantness and gentleness.
Most viewers are probably familiar with this story of Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart), a kindly soul who's been known to take a drink, and his best friend Harvey, a six-foot, three-inch white rabbit. Harvey is a pooka, a mischievous spirit who's visible to some but not to others, much to the distress of Elwood's long-suffering sister Veta Louise (Josephine Hull).
Though the settings may seem a bit dated now, Mary Chase's story is still thoroughly fresh. When this kind of whimsical tale works right, it's timeless. And beneath the film's charming surface, it has some important things to say about tolerance and forgiveness and respect for individuals, no matter how "different" they seem.
Also, with "Harvey," the casting was as inspired as the writing. It's impossible to imagine anyone else playing Elwood. The fundamental decency that Stewart has brought to every role he's played is put to perfect use here. And I doubt that any other actor could have made Harvey so real.
Both "Harvey" and "How to Succeed . . ." have been shown frequently on commercial television, but stations have often used worn, scratchy prints that are heavily edited to fit into 1 1/2 or 2-hour time slots. It's good to see these movies as they were meant to be shown. The quality of the image on both of them is first-rate and James Stewart has narrated a new introduction for this edition of "Harvey."
New releases this week
`Worth Winning' Starring Mark Harmon, Madeleine Stowe, Lesley Ann Warren, Maria Holvoe. Directed by Will MacKenzie. 104 min. Rated PG-13 for language and mild sexual content. This is a remarkably good little romantic comedy that should be more successful on home video than it was in the theaters. It's a throwback to the kind of slickly produced entertainment that usually starred James Garner or Rock Hudson opposite Doris Day. Here Mark Harmon is Taylor Worth, Philadelphia's most eligible bachelor. He's such a legendary ladies' man that his friends bet him that he can't become engaged to three separate women within three months.
Yes, the plot is predictable - we know that Taylor is going to win the contest and fall in love with one of the women - though predictable doesn't necessarily mean dull. This is fluffy, sexy, frivolous material but the characters are complex and well-drawn. Even Taylor's asides to the camera, blatantly lifted from "Alfie," seem natural in context. This sleeper is worth a look.
by CNB