'Harvey' (1950) Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

No, 'Harvey' only won for Best Supporting Actress (Josephine Hull). James Stewart was nominated for Best Actor, but lost. 'Harvey' could not have won, or even been nominated, for Best Original Screeplay, since it was based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Mary Chase.

Answer: Elwood P. Dowd

He says his name many times in the course of the film. "Dowd's the name. Elwood P. Allow me to give you one of my cards. If you ever want to call me, use this number, not this one --- that's the old number. And now" (gesturing up into empty space), "I'd like you to meet a very special friend of mine..." For the record, Lyman Sanderson is the young doctor's name, Scottie Ferguson is Stewart's character in 'Vertigo,' and Roger Hobbs is Stewart's character in 'Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation.'

Answer: A pooka

A pooka, as Dowd says, "is something very old." An Irish spirit, it seems to most often appear as a horse. Harvey, however, is a six-foot-three ("let's be precise about this," says Dowd) rabbit. For more information on pookas, this is a fine site. http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/intro.html

Answer: His sister and niece

His sister, Veta Lousie Simmons, is a bit of an eccentric herself, though she doesn't seem to know it. She wishes Dowd would get out of the house more so she could entertain high society guests for her spinster daughter Myrtle Mae, Dowd's niece, to meet.

Answer: Nothing; he's independently wealthy

He's wealthy because his mother left him all her money, a fact which his sister doesn't seem to resent, though his niece does. Why did his mother give it all to Dowd? "Perhaps because she died in his arms," his sister guesses (though her daughter points out that she couldn't have changed the will after she died).

Answer: Chumley's Rest

Named after the senior doctor, Willie Chumley. As to the other answers, Rancho Relaxo is a spa featured in an episode of 'The Simpsons,' and I made up the other two, though I got Freemont Farms from Grace Kelly's character in another Stewart classic, 'Rear Window.'

Answer: Drinking a lot

Dowd is constantly in and out of bars, especially his favorite Charlie's, where he orders "two martinis" (one for Harvey, of course). Dowd compliments women a lot, but he's no womanizer; and if you guessed fighting, you're way off. Dowd's as gentle as a lamb.

Answer: pleasant

This was advice Dowd's mother gave him. Dowd finishes, "For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me."

Answer: Stewart's character

Willie Chumley begs Harvey to stay with him, and Harvey leaves Dowd. Dowd wanders off, slightly saddened, but minutes later Harvey returns. Or, Dowd's severe delusion returns. Either way.

Answer: It's always been his favorite name

Dr. Lyman tries to show Dowd that he imagined Harvey by interrogating him on any "Harveys" he might have known as a child. But Dowd says it's just always been his favorite name; he knew no Harveys. "Perhaps that's why I always had high hopes for the name," he says. Thanks for playing this quiz! Have a great day.