Bell, Book and Candle (film)

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For the religious phrase, see Bell, book, and candle. For the band see Bell, Book & Candle (band)
Bell, Book and Candle
Directed by Richard Quine
Produced by Julian Blaustein
Written by Daniel Taradash
Starring James Stewart
Kim Novak
Jack Lemmon
Janice Rule
Elsa Lanchester
Ernie Kovacs
Hermione Gingold
Music by George Duning
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) 25 December 1958
Running time 106 min.
Language English
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Bell, Book and Candle is a 1958 romantic comedy directed by Richard Quine and starring James Stewart and Kim Novak in their second on-screen pairing (after the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo). The film, based on a play written by John Van Druten and adapted by Daniel Taradash, was Stewart's last film as a romantic lead.

Fans of the film point to similarities between it and the earlier I Married A Witch and especially the television series Bewitched, speculating that this picture may have been an inspiration.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Greenwich Village witch Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) has been unlucky in love and restless in life. She admires from afar her neighbor, publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart), who one day walks into her gallery of primitive art to use the telephone. When she learns he's about to marry an old college enemy of hers, Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule), she takes revenge by casting a love spell on him, but must eventually make a choice between true love and witchcraft, as witches can't fall in love and retain their supernatural powers.

Meanwhile, the author of a best-selling book, Magic in Mexico, whom Shep expresses an interest in meeting, arrives on the scene, thanks to a little magic. Sidney Redlitch (Ernie Kovacs) decides to research witches for a book and acquires a collaborator, Gillian's brother, warlock Nicky Holroyd (Jack Lemmon), who needs the money. Gillian uses her magic to make Shep no longer interested in Nicky and Redlitch's book and then confesses her identity as a witch to Shep. He becomes angry that she enchanted him just to spite Merle, and the two fight. Gillian attempts to perform various spells on Merle (such as making her fall in love with the first man that walks into her apartment and sending her around the world), but finds that she has lost her powers because of her love for Shep. Shep meanwhile, tries unsuccessfully to explain to Merle that Gillian is a witch. He then finds that he literally can't leave Gillian, because of the spell. To escape, he turns to another witch, Mrs. Bianca de Passe (Hermione Gingold), and is cured of the spell. He leaves, leaving Gillian heartbroken. Months later, Shep returns and discovers that Gillian has lost her magic powers because of her love for him. The two reconcile, while Nicky magically shuts off the streetlights outside.

[edit] Reception

When first released in 1958 by Columbia Pictures, Bell, Book and Candle was a moderate success. The soundtrack, featuring Philippe Clay and The Brothers Candoli who appeared in the film in cameo appearances, also found success.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Soundtrack

  • "Stormy Weather" - performed by Jack Lemmon on the bongo drums with the band at the Zodiac Club (the Brothers Candoli on trumpets, and an unknown guitar player)
  • "Deck the Halls" - performed by James Stewart by whistling
  • "Jingle Bells" - played during the opening credits

[edit] Awards

[edit] Academy Awards

Nominated:

[edit] Golden Globes

Nominated:

[edit] References

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[edit] External links