Posted on 08/02/2009 11:17:31 PM PDT by tlb
Steven Spielberg has committed to his next film, and it will be an adaptation of the Mary Chase Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Harvey,” which will be done as a co-production between 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks.
It is the story of an amiable eccentric, Elwood P. Dowd, and his friendship with a six and one-half foot tall invisible rabbit, and how it affects every member of his family and community. The play won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944, and was previously turned into the 1950 Universal film that starred Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull.
While DreamWorks has several pictures that Spielberg loves--the Abraham Lincoln project is one--those pictures weren't ready, and Spielberg wanted to get back to work quickly. He has a strong relationship with Rothman, who with his partner Jim Gianopulos worked with Spielberg and his DreamWorks partner Stacey Snider to bring "Harvey" came together in remarkably speedy fashion, with casting and pre-production to begin immediately, and production starting in early 2010.
Said Snider: "This is a story relevant for all times, perhaps more so than ever before. We are so pleased to be able, with Fox, to be bringing this to today's audiences."
(Excerpt) Read more at weblogs.variety.com ...
Harvey no more needs a remake then does Casablanca. Intellectual and artistic bankruptcy.
What has gone on in Tinseltown the last 10 years is nothing short of pathetic! What a great industry, lost to the dolts.
Go market your drivel in cuba spielberg
I think the brainiacs that would seek to remake this classic would know that Hanks is probably the only one who has the chops to pull it off.
That being said, I wouldn’t pay to see a new version taint my memory of “Harvey”. I’d also hate to see them gratuitously drop in crackberries and modern technology into such a remake.
Why don’t they just write something new rather than ride the nostalgia??
I thought Adam Sandler did an awesome job with “Bedtime Stories”. Obviously. there is probably a cache of good material out there for them to work with. Hollywood simply lacks creativity at the studio level.
I’ll take a pass on anything from Mr. Spielberg.
He was good back in the day, but now...not so much.
As a lover of movies from the golden years (for me that’s mostly 70s-80s), I can only theorize that they are absolutely and totally out of ideas.
The fact that they are making movies out of every single comic book, toy series, and...well remaking movies shows me that their creativity is zilch.
Doing Harvey would be a daunting task for anyone, since Stewart did it in such a low-key style, totally sincere, but with the touch of edge that made you wonder if a few of the bats HAD vacated the belfry. Jack Black would wreck it. So would Cruise. Sandler, maybe, would do a good script justice. Of course, knowing Spielberg, there would probably be some instance where Harvey would intervene in some situation, and everyone would go, "Aaaah. Maybe there IS a big bunny there...." or soemthing like that.
Yay! more remakes!
We need more remakes! PLEASE REMAKE EVERY MOVIE HOLLYWOOD!!!
Agreed.
Anyone that had anything to do with that last Indiana Jones movie is toxic waste now.
They can remake Harvey all they want but never will it improve on Jimmy Stewart’s version. That one is classic!
lololol.
Luckily, I have not seen that movie.
I remember The Raiders of the Lost Ark was such an awesome, entertaining movie in its day.
It’s almost like we are going through a “dark ages” as far as movie making goes.
I almost think that I could say the same about the music industry.
Adam Sandler could take Stewart’s place the way he did in Mr. Deeds. It just wouldn’t be the same, though, what with Elwood P. Dowd thoroughly beating the crap out of Dr. Chumley.
Hanks would be my guess from that list. He’s the only one who is likable enough to give Jimmy Stewart a run. Likability and gentleness is one of the key elements of the role. It’s one of my favorite movies but for the younger crowd a black and white movie doesn’t seem to work even if it’s a great movie with a fantastic cast. Another movie from a Broadway play that “doesn’t need a remake” but would work is Arsenic and Old Lace. Again casting and staying true to the play would be vital keep it alive. I can only think of 1 remake that was better than the original (1930 and later film) and that was Unfaithfully Yours.
You know they will have a CGI Harvey and everyone will be able to see him. He won’t be invisible like in the Jimmy Stewart classic.
This will stink.
I raised my daughters on B&W movies. Once they shut up and stop rolling their eyes, they soon forget it isn't in color.
I still want to see Sandler as Elwood P. Dowd beat the snot out of Dr. Chumley.
But who would play Cary Grant's role?
Red Dust and Mogambo.
Ehhh...this would not be one I’m looking forward to. I have a soft spot for the original.
I am a bit more optimistic about Spielberg’s plans to remake The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Jim Carrey filling the lead role (done by Danny Kaye in the original). Carrey could pull that off.
By far, the WORST remake I think is coming down the pike is the forthcoming remake of the beloved B-movie classic “The Warriors.” They’re moving it from NYC to Los Angeles, they’re letting Tony Scott direct it, and it’s going to feature ACTUAL Los Angeles gang members in the supporting cast/as extras (Scott said they were “wonderful to work with”).
And don’t get me started on the planned Three Stooges movie...
Who does Nancy Pelosi play?
Arsenic and Old Lace have always been a favorite at our house, as has Harvey. Why they’d want to remake Harvey and have a modern remake compared to Stewart’s masterful job in that movie, I have no idea.
I, personally, don’t think there are actors around today who can “pull off” the dialog and representation of the characters.
Especially in movies like Arsenic and Old Lace (My Girl Friday would be another example)...the dialog is so quick and so witty, I can’t think of a modern day actor who’d be able to keep up.
Bad idea.
Hanks, although he can be good, will prove definitively that he is not “the next Jimmy Stewart”.
“I can only think of 1 remake that was better than the original (1930 and later film) and that was Unfaithfully Yours.”
The 1948 original of Unfaithfully Yours, written and directed by the great Preston Sturges, is a classic.
The remake was horrible.
Well, to be fair, a few of the comic book movies were pretty good. Not great, but good...other than The Dark Knight, of course...
They must’ve run out of stories.
Oh that was a horrible movie. I couldn’t wait to see it, thought it would be as good as the ones in the 80’s, but it was so bad I couldn’t finish it...
I really really hate remakes. They are NEVER as good as the original.
They Day the Earth Stood Still, King Kong & Wizard of Oz come to mind.
Intellectual and artistic bankruptcy,True hollywood is dead but I bet he will opt for a black cast.
‘Intellectual and artistic bankruptcy.’
Exactly correct.
Why remake a classic? You think your going to make it any better? What? add special effects? There are lots of other projects for you to do that would contribute to film and make you a peck of money. Like:
1. a musical squeal to the Wizard of Oz
2. A good Capra Classic like Lost Horizon
3. How about a Tale of Two Cities?
4. or a remake of a silent classic like Sparrows?
5. Maybe another triple play like Indiana Jones—with a new serial focus like Commander Cody or Chandu the magician.
6. Maybe remake one of Ed Woods films—like Bride of the Monster with your own twist.
7. What about a western—remake Rio Bravo or Fort Apache?
There are many things to do rather than remake a film that can never be as good as the original—its a waste of time and talent.
His Girl Friday is wonderful as are It Happened One Night, Bringing Up Baby, You Can’t Take it With You, The Awful Truth, The Philadelphia Story (Cary Grant, Jimmie Stewart & Katherine Hepburn), My Favorite Wife and Adams Rib. A lot of those were based upon plays.
Same here and now she’s 36 and still loves them. I remember showing her Wait Until Dark. When Arkin jumps out of the door she came out of her seat about 2 foot. Made her watch a bunch of Hitchcock movies as well. She thought Rear Window was old stuff and not worth watching but then she got into the movie and forgot it was an “old” movie. She was shouting at Grace Kelly to get out. I know it’s in color but I was showing her that you didn’t need all the blood and gore to make a movie scary, suspenseful and enjoyable.
Since I mentioned Arsenic and Old Lace I had an opportunity to see it in the Alex Theater in Glendale California a few years ago with 1000+ people it was funnier than it seems to be when I watch it at home. The audience reaction really boosted the humor of the film. That doesn’t seem to happen in modern comedies. People were laughing out loud throughout the film.
Adam Sandler? Are you kidding? He can’t act and they destroyed Mr. Deeds with that remake.
Another notch in my keyboard, LOL!
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