8. Harvey (1964)
The second of three appearances by James Stewart in our list; Harvey is the sort of film that you can get even the youngest of children watching. It is a great film to help buffer children into the more eclectic choices of cinema available to them, and as a bonus, stars an imaginary 8-foot rabbit. What makes Harvey such an accessible film is Stewarts loveable drunk, and the whimsy of Mary Chases script. This was a play long before it was a film, and feels so even with the glamour and magic of Hollywood. But the pure tenderness and innocence of the Harvey, makes it feel like it was always destined for the silver screen. It is the kind of old school
shoe box classic that grandparents rarely remember to share with the grandkids. So it is your duty as a parent to fill that void, and prove to children once and for all, that imaginary friends can sometimes become the best friend you have.
Parental Benefits: There are, of course, the two main elements of alcohol abuse and mental illness to be looked at. But a softer approach might be to look at how Harvey is an influence for good on Elwood Dowd (James Stewart), and how acting with kindness is often the best way to help those in need. For children, it is also quite an empowering film, because it shows that sometimes adults are not always right, and fills them with the hope that magical things CAN happen. It is your choice as to whether or not you want to seize this moment to discuss the authenticity of Santa Claus and the Tooth FairySome people are just mean like that.