Rabbit, Run: Spielberg Plans Harvey Remake

James Stewart in “Harvey.” He’s not the one in white.

Variety reports that Steven Spielberg has agreed to direct a remake of the 1950 film “Harvey.” Novelist Jonathan Tropper is writing a new adaptation of Mary Chase’s original 1944 play (for which she won the Pulitzer Prize).

I know, you’re wondering–wait, what about all those other movies we’ve heard Spielberg was supposed to direct? For Pete’s sake, where is that Abraham Lincoln biopic? The problem is that many of the other movies Spielberg had an interest in just weren’t ready, and he wanted to get back to work as soon as possible (apparently that Tintin shoot must have left him really fired up). This project was pulled together quickly, with preproduction set to begin yesterday and shooting starting in early 2010.

For those of you who don’t know, “Harvey” is about Elwood P. Dowd, an “eccentric” who is known around his small town for talking about his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six foot tall rabbit. During the course of the play, his family tries to keep his talk of the rabbit from embarrassing them. Mixups and hijinks ensue.

The play ran on Broadway for five years and the movie, with Jimmy Stewart as Dowd, was a big hit as well. Stewart had begun lobbying for the role by playing it for a few periods during the Broadway run (he also played it in revivals later in his career). He became the lone Hollywood star in the movie; the rest of the original stage cast got the chance to play their roles on screen. What all this means is that some actor is going to have the unenviable task of trying to step in for Hollywood icon Stewart (I’m just guessing, but I bet the studio has said the name Jim Carrey a few times; another choice might be Steve Carell but he might not be available).

People always talk about this play/movie as “the one about the guy who has the imaginary six foot tall rabbit friend.” What they usually fail to mention is that Dowd is pretty obviously an alcoholic, who spends his days at the local bar talking to Harvey as he drinks. In the 1940s, there was a little more tolerance (especially in movies and plays) for the idea of the gentle, harmless local alcoholic who was more likely to be funny a comic foil than a picture of despair (“The Lost Weekend” aside). People now regard alcoholism as dangerous, destructive, and something that needs to be taken care of. So will the remake take place now or in the 1940s? Will the alcoholism angle be rethought?

This movie choice, by the way, is no surprise for Spielberg. He loves whimsy. The problem, though, is that his more whimsical efforts don’t always work (“Hook,” anyone?). I’m just saying, but as always, I retain hope.