August 13, 2009
The movie word is all a "twitter" with news that Steven Speilberg has agreed to direct a remake of the classic film Harvey. His version will be a contemporay adaptation of Mary Chase's play about a man and his friendhsip with an invisible six-foot tall rabbit he calls Harvey. 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks will co-produce the project. Novelist Jonathan Tropper (his latest book This is Where I Leave You was just reviewed in today's New York Times) adapted the play for the screen. Rumors were circulating that Tom Hanks would take on the Jimmy Stewart role. Other rumors were circulating that he turned down the role.
I have mixed emotions. On the one hand, it has been close to 60 years since the film version was released. Many viewers have not seen the Stewart version of a clever story. But, even if Hanks was to portray Elwood P. Dowd, the memory of Stewarts's low key performance would never leave many of us while watching a remake. On the other hand, can anyone, no matter how great an actor, top Stewart's natural charm and ability to beguile?
How do you feel about movie remakes of classics?
Are there any that you feel are better than the original?
Let us know so we can display the movies in our audio visual room for others to note and check out.
