As pointed out on the other comment on this production, Jimmy Stewart enjoyed playing the role of Elwood P. Dowd long after his Broadway stint in the part, and his movie performance. In the late 1960s and early 1970s there were less and less television opportunities to see classic plays with good casts. Most of these were shown on Channel 13 (like the Lillian Hellman translation of MONTSERRAT, or the production of AWAKE AND SING with Walter Matthau). One of the productions of the period was Stewart in HARVEY (with Helen Hayes in the Josephine Hutchinson role). The cast was actually quite first rate: Jesse White repeated his role (from the original production) or Wilson. In the role of Judge Gaffney was Martin Gable, the role of Dr. Sanderson was played by Richard Mulligan, Nurse Kelly was played by Madeleine Kahn, Dr. Chumley was played by John McGiver, and the philosophical taxi driver by Fred Gwynne.
It has to be admitted that although the cast is great, and really delivers, the final production is not as strong as the film. That's because Stewart was younger in 1950, and Ms Hutchinson was younger than Ms Hayes was in 1972. But it is a decent production, and gave another opportunity for Stewart to play opposite McGiver. John McGiver had appeared opposite Stewart in two film comedies in the 1960s, including a memorable stint in MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION as a bird watcher dipsomaniac. This was the last time they played off each other - and did it very well.
It was a pleasant dramatization, but nothing to compare to the film. Still it was better than most of the programing on television in 1972.
It has to be admitted that although the cast is great, and really delivers, the final production is not as strong as the film. That's because Stewart was younger in 1950, and Ms Hutchinson was younger than Ms Hayes was in 1972. But it is a decent production, and gave another opportunity for Stewart to play opposite McGiver. John McGiver had appeared opposite Stewart in two film comedies in the 1960s, including a memorable stint in MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION as a bird watcher dipsomaniac. This was the last time they played off each other - and did it very well.
It was a pleasant dramatization, but nothing to compare to the film. Still it was better than most of the programing on television in 1972.