Back to Golden Days

The weather outside has been absolutely frightful, so for this week on «Film Friday» I have decided to bring you one of the most delightful films I have ever seen. This is one of those enchanting little stories that will most definitely keep you warm on a cold winter night. Directed by Henry Koster, Harvey (1950) tells the story of Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart), a middle-aged, amiable drunk who claims to have an invisible best friend named Harvey — whom he describes as a 6'3.5" tall pookah resembling an anthropomorphic white rabbit. His friends and family wonder whether his obsession with Harvey is a product of his (self-admitted) drinking problem, or rather a sign of mental illness. When Elwood starts to introduce Harvey to guests at a society party hosted by his excitable older sister, Veta Louise Simmons (Josephine Hull), the woman has seen just about as much of his eccentric behaviour as she can tolerate. To spare her daughter, Myrtle Mae (Victoria Horne), and their fa...

Directed by Henry Koster, The Bishop's Wife (1947) concerns the tribulations of Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) and his increasingly desperate attempts to raise money from his wealthy parishioners for a new cathedral. To do so, he ignores everything and everyone else, including his beautiful wife, Julia (Loretta Young). His prayers are literally answered by an angel named Dudley (Cary Grant), who reveals his identity only to Henry. However, Dudley's mission is not to help build a cathedral, but to spiritually guide Henry and the people around him. While Henry is annoyed by Dudley's presence, the angel soon charms everyone, including the Broughams' maid, Matilda (Elsa Lanchester), and even the non-religious Professor Wutheridge (Monty Wolley).    In the days that follow, Dudley persuades the wealthy parishioners, particularly widowed Agnes Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), to contribute the needed funds not to construct the cathedral, but to help the needy instead, much t...