Bell Book and Candle

A charming film. Kim Novak is truly spellbinding and a pleasure to watch, both because of her acting and her beauty. Every character was played by wonderful actors, but not every actor was meant for their role, in my opinion. I wish Jim Stewart's character were played by someone younger. The fact that he is twice Novak's age is ridiculously obvious in both his looks and his acting. His "fuddy daddy" style makes the romance unrealistic to the viewer (at least to me). Don't get me wrong, I love Jimmy Stewart, but I think he was really miscast. I can only imagine how amazing this film would've been with a better match, physically and style-wise, to Kim Novak.

It is very difficult to resist the mix of fantasy and comedy, which worked so well in prime-'Bewitched' for example. Have always appreciated comedy, and have always attempted to appreciate all sorts (tend not to be a fan of the crude kind though), and some of my personal favourites have fantasy elements. Also love the cast, James Stewart gave many great performances and there is a lot of talent in the cast in general.

'Bell Book and Candle' was an amusing and charming mix of fantasy and comedy and most elements come off very well. It didn't blow me away admittedly, and to me both Stewart and Novak (especially the former) were better in 'Vertigo' (a personal favourite of mine, not sure whether that is a sacriligous opinion here) and their chemistry was better in that too. But those that like comedy and fantasy individually and when mixed together should get some kind of kick out of it.

Not everything works. Would have liked a lot more magic, not literally and not in terms of effects or anything but more to do with wanting more spark. Something that could have reflected more in the chemistry between Stewart and Novak, which never quite ignites, and is at times unintentionally creepy. Much more so than in 'Vertigo', seeing as this was a much lighter film and Novak looks more her age here.

Have always really liked Stewart and always will, but somehow he never quite clicked with me here in 'Bell Book and Candle'. His performance could have done with a lighter touch and energy, this was done at a point where he was starting to take on darker and grittier roles, and have seen him look more comfortable elsewhere.

Novak fares better however, Stewart in general was the far better actor but Novak blends within the film's atmosphere more naturally. Her performance is very pleasant and charming. For me though, 'Bell Book and Candle' was the case of the supporting cast being better than the leads. Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester are sheer delights, Ernie Kovacs is a lot of fun and Jack Lemmon steals every scene he's in. As does endearing Pyewacket. It's solidly directed by Richard Quine.

The film also looks great and along with the supporting cast is one of two of 'Bell Book and Candle's' biggest virtues. Beautifully photographed and one can totally see why the stunningly effective art direction and the costumes were Oscar-nominated. The music fits beautifully, never feeling intrusive or too jaunty or melodramatic. The fantasy element is charming and the comedy is genuinely amusing (also think the comedy element fares better than the fantasy). The story is slight but it didn't feel dull to me and engaged me throughout.

In conclusion, pleasant but didn't blow me away. 7/10

Kim Novac is wonderful as the 'good witch' falling in love with mortal James Stewart. The special treat with this film is that there is a complete 'underground society' (literally) of witches and warlocks, of whom we get to know Elsa Lanchester and Jack Lemon, both recommending Kim Novak quickly forget her romance with the mortal man.

This film is a visual feast with some tidbits of 1950s Jazz music in the score. Complete with black cat, spell-book and magic tricks. Who can blame Jimmy Stewart for falling for Kim Novak's spell? The International cast of supporting actors includes an authentic Parisian Night Club Act, as well as the ultra-eccentric Hermione Gingold (of Gigi/Moulin Rouge fame). Elsa Lancaster is an absolute delight as the intuition-plagued Auntie Queenie. Don't miss this bewitching piece of light entertainment!

It took Bell, Book, and Candle almost a decade to get from Broadway to the screen. John Van Druten's play ran for 233 performances during the 1950-1951 season and served as a starring vehicle for the then married Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer. I'm sure that the Shepherd Henderson that Harrison portrayed must have been light years different than Jimmy Stewart. Also the entire play took place in the Holroyd apartment and a whole lot of characters were added for the screen.

A good job was done in transferring this stage work for the screen, it barely betrays it's stage origin. Stewart is very good as the puzzled publisher who gets ensnared in a witch's spell because Kim Novak takes a fancy to him.

Novak was quoted as saying that her favorite leading man during her career was Jimmy Stewart and her two favorite films, Vertigo and Bell Book and Candle are the ones she did with him.

Hermione Gingold is absolutely brilliant as the head witch, Mrs. DePass, and watching Stewart drink that concoction she mixed up to kill Kim Novak's spell was a scream.

Jack Lemmon plays Novak's brother and by this time he was doing leads and carrying films on his own. He's good, but I do wonder why he accepted a supporting part here.

One thing I am curious about. How did they manage to get Pyewacket the cat to act on stage for 233 performances?

Kim Novak, at the peak of her career, is lovely here, as beautiful (single) witch, Gillian Holroyd. New neighbor, Shep (James Stewart) moves in upstairs, and suddenly that "ole black magic" is brewing all over the place.

Based upon the popular 1950s stage play, this movie does have a bit of the stagy feel to it. Despite that, there is the good use of Technicolor, George Duning's pleasant score, and the great cast of comic actors. Ernie Kovaks looks a little out of place, but he does well. Jack Lemmon is great as Novak's warlock brother, Stewart is fine, Elsa Lanchester is good as well, and so is Hermione Gingold. The real star of the film, however, is Pyewacket, Novak's handsome seal-point Siamese cat. What ever happened to him?

Not exactly a knee-slapping comedy, but pleasant, lite and fluffy entertainment. Enjoyable, and a stark contrast to Novak and Stewart's earlier pairing (the same year) in Hitchcock's "Vertigo". Worth seeing.