Recensioni degli utenti

The play Bell, Book, and Candle was a favorite of mature actresses to do in summer stock and take on the road. One famous story, told by director Harold J. Kennedy, has Ginger Rogers insisting that her then husband, William Marshall, who was not an actor, costar with her. Marshall wore a toupee, and when he walked through a doorway, his toupee caught on a nail and stayed behind, dangling in the doorway as he walked on stage.

The play was adapted successfully into a beautiful color film starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Hermoine Gingold, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule. It's light entertainment, about a normal-appearing family of witches (Novak, Lemmon, and Lanchester) and the publisher (Stewart) who lives in their building.

The most expert of them is the sultry, soft-voiced Gillian, who would love to be normal. One night, with Stewart in her apartment, she puts a spell on him using her Siamese cat, Pyewacket, and he falls in love with her.

"Bell Book and Candle" was filmed on a charming set that replicates New York. The movie is loads of fun. Jack Lemmon is very funny in a supporting role as Gillian's brother, a musician in the witch and warlock-laden Zodiac Club. He uses his powers to turn streetlights on and off and to turn on the occasional woman.

Janice Rule is perfect as the snobby ex-college rival of Gillian, now dating Stewart, and Ernie Kovacs has a great turn as an eccentric who is writing the definitive book on witches. Lanchester and Gingold, of course, are always wonderful, Lanchester Gillian's daft aunt and Gingold as a sort of queen of witchcraft.

Kim Novak is a good fit for Gillian, giving the character a detachment befitting a witch, showing emotion when it becomes appropriate, and with that voice, fabulous face, and magnificent wardrobe, she certainly is magical.

Stewart, in his last foray as a romantic lead, costars with Novak as he did in Vertigo, and they make an effective team. He supplies the warmth, she supplies the coolness, and somehow, together they spark. In this, of course, he's much more elegant than in "Vertigo."

A charming film, good for a Sunday afternoon, good around Christmas (as part of it takes place at Christmastime), and great if you feel like smiling.

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

"Bell Book and Candle" was shown recently on cable. Not having seen it for a while, we decided to take another look at this comedy. Based on the James Van Druten's Broadway hit, which was a vehicle for Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer in the early fifties, the film was adapted for the screen by Daniel Taradash. The film was directed by Richard Quine, who turned the play into a delightful comedy.

Evidently, judging by some of the comments submitted by IMDb, the big issue seems to be the pairing of the two stars, who had collaborated on "Vertigo", released the same year. Movie audiences didn't think anything about the age difference when this film was released. In fact, most of the aging male stars of that period were always involved with much younger women.

The film set in Manhattan during Christmas is a delightful comedy that has enchanted viewers. Kim Novak was at the height of her beauty as it's clear the camera adored her no matter what was she playing. As the witch that becomes human, her Gillian is charming. James Stewart, who plays the publisher Shep' Henderson, is also seen at his best. Mr. Stewart was an excellent comedy actor who shows in here why he was at the top.

In supporting roles the wonderful Elsa Lanchester, playing Queenie, is a welcome addition to any movie, as she proves here. Jack Lemmon's Nicky Holroyd, the brother of Gillian, is also good. Ernie Kovacs is also seen as the writer Sidney Radlitch.

This is an excellent way to spend a winter night at home watching "Bell Book and Candle".

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?

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.

This is a quirky little movie. It's very enjoyable, but there's something very different about it. Perhaps it's the subject of the movie, but it certainly is a stylish 1950's movie, unlike any other that comes to mind. Novak is rather breathless the entire movie which I found to be annoying after a while, after her fine performances in Vertigo and Picnic. Stewart is his usual self, and managed to be quite funny in some scenes, and the supporting cast is fun too, but Lemon could have been used a bit more than he was.

The biggest mystery was just how little magic was used in the movie. There were a couple scenes but there were no "big" showy special effects used, not that I needed that but you would think there would be more in this type of movie since it's about witches and warlocks.

Although BEWITCHED was years away from this cult film, it has long been bantered about that "parts" of BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE may have, inadvertently, lead to the classic tv series. One thing, it's rich with atmosphere and just as wild.

If you're a film buff, interestingly, this can also be considered as a deuces wild re-working of THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH -- now with a female attracted to a male neighbor instead. Think about it.

Beautiful, enchanting witch Kim Novak has her eyes set on new neighbor James Stewart. He's also in love with Janice Rule, which complicates matters.... so Kim does her thing. She does not twinkle her nose, though. A hilarious ride with neat touches of fantasy slash comedy, and with a dynamic supporting cast. It's a race to the finish as to who outdoes who; kooky Hermoine Gingold or Elsa Lancaster. Hats off to Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacks. Watch their priceless expressions.

Cary Grant was originally considered for the lead, Grace Kelly for his co-star, which would have been fascinating. However, James Stewart gets the job done, and in a much more lighter role than in VERTIGO, his other classic film with Kim Novak. What a team they make.

Long considered an "adult" Halloween comedy, but its breezy fun any time of the year. Oscar nominated for Best Set Decoration, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Both Novak and Stewart should have at least gotten honorable mention.

Top direction by Richard Quine, who next directed Kim in THE NOTORIOUS LANDLADY.

Always on dvd and remastered blu ray and thanks to MOVIES Net for rerunning this gem of gems, along with Quine's other masterpiece, THE SOLID GOLD CADILLAC.

Kim Novak, the "Lavender Lady", trades in her purple chiffon for witchy black in this glossy--but not very crafty--witchcraft comedy. James Stewart is Novak's new neighbor and, unaware of her powers, gets lured into her trap...but can he teach her what true love is really about? Jack Lemmon has the brightest moments as a happy-go-lucky warlock, but there's really no character there; Lemmon gets laughs strictly by winging it. "Vertigo" co-stars Novak and Stewart have a terrible time trying to create chemistry. Some smoldering smoke arises, but no real sparks. When the stars have to try this hard, the effort is noticeable and the picture falls down around them like an expensive soufflé. **1/2 from ****

I researched this film a little and discovered a web site that claims it was actually an inside joke about the Post WWII Greenwich Village world of gays and lesbians. With the exception of Stewart and Novak, the warlocks and witches represented that alternative lifestyle. John Van Druten who wrote the stage play was apparently gay and very familiar with this Greenwich Village. I thought this was ironic because I first saw Bell, Book and Candle in the theater when I was in 5th or 6th grade just because my parents took me. It was hard to get me to a movie that didn't include horses, machine guns, or alien monsters and I planned on being bored. But, I remember the moment when Jimmy Stewart embraced Kim Novak on the top of the Flatiron building and flung his hat away while the camera followed it fluttering to the ground. As the glorious George Duning love theme soared, I suddenly got a sense of what it felt like to fall in love. The first stirrings of romantic/sexual love left me dazed as I left the theater. I am sure I'm not the only pre-adolescent boy who was seduced by Kim Novak's startling, direct gaze. It's ironic that a gay parable was able to jump-start heterosexual puberty in so many of us. I am in my late 50's now and re-watched the film yesterday evening and those same feelings stirred as I watched that hat touch down fifty years later . . .

For those of you unfamiliar with Jimmy Stewart, this is one of his "lesser" films from later in his career. And, while it isn't a great film compared to many of his other pictures, it isn't bad and is a decent time-passer--but not much more.

Kim Novak is a witch in New York City and for some inexplicable reason, she decides to cast a spell on poor Jimmy to make him fall in love with her. Over time, the cold and detached Ms. Novak also begins to fall in love with Stewart--and apparently in the witch's rule book, this is a definite NO, NO!!

The film is odd in its sensibilities about the witches. They are neither the baby-sacrificing nor the all-powerful variety. Most of their magic is pretty limited and pointless (such as Jack Lemmon using his powers to turn off street lamps). And, very oddly, the witches all seem to be bohemians who hang out in hip bars where you might find people wearing berets and listening to crappy jazz. Considering what I think of jazz, it must really stink to be a witch in this movie's world!

Anyway, the film is pretty romantic and mildly comedic, but not something I would rush out to watch. The acting is pretty good, but the script doesn't offer enough payoff to make this an exceptional film- -in fact, I almost scored the film a 6--it was really close.

UPDATE: I saw this film again but on the big screen along with an interview with Miss Novak on the Turner Classic Movies cruise. I think I liked it more this time and the film is more than just a time passer. However, one annoyance I did notice--there were a lot of snow scenes and when folks came inside the fake snow didn't melt and it looked very, very fake. I blame the director for this detail...they should have brushed away the plastic snow after a few seconds instead of having it linger on and on and on!

This is the kind of film that, if it were made today, it would probably star Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant; actually, now that I think about it, this one is quite liable to be remade one day. It's pleasant, but with no depth whatsoever. It suffers from the almost fatal miscasting of James Stewart in a role he is about 20 years too old for, and as a result there is no chemistry between him and the beautiful Kim Novak. Ernie Kovacs, in the small supporting role of an aspiring writer, is the only actor in the film whose performance approaches what you might call "wit". (**1/2)

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.

Bell Book and Candle is a funny light comedy starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, the same lead actors from the highly acclaimed Hitchcock movie Vertigo, which came out the same year.

Kim Novak plays a witch who casts a spell on a book publisher played by Stewart. The leads give decent performances, but supporting star Jack Lemmon is a scene stealer in this movie.

This movie is not what you would consider a great movie, I rated it 6 out of 10 - worth watching once.

This movie was like any Jimmy Stewart film,witty,charming and very enjoyable.Kim Novak's performance as Gillian,the beautiful witch who longs to be human,is splendid,her subtle facial expressions,her every move and gesture all create Gillian's unique and somewhat haunting character,she left us hanging on her every word.I should not fail to mention Ernie Kovacs' and Elsa Lanchester's highly commendable performances as the scotch loving writer obsessed with the world of magic(Kovacs) and the latter as the lovable aunt who can't seem to stop using magic even when forbidden to.The romantic scenes between Stewart and Novak are beautifully done and the chemistry between them is great,but then again when is the chemistry between Jimmy Stewart and any leading lady bad!

One of my favorite movies, this is sheer entertainment that never garnered the recognition it deserves as a sophisticated, romantic fantasy. James Stewart plays Shep Henderson, the staid, conventional businessman snared and enraptured by the magical machinations of witch, Kim Novak. Their romantic involvement is both abetted and impeded by complications inserted by her Aunt Queenie, a witch, and her brother, Nicky, a warlock.

Novak, as Gillian Holroyd the witchery heroine, in partnership with her feline assistant, Pyewacket, activates a zap of a love spell on her intended, accompanied by the full ceremonial ritual of haunting music and alluring wardrobe. Novak in this film has never looked more enticing on screen. Dressed to make the object of her affection swoon, she is attired in a dress of wine colored velvet whose sleeves are manacled by red sequined bands. In this get- up, setting her slanting eyes in a gaze focused to mesmerize, she is a seductress primed to get the man she targets and have the man she wins do her bidding. Here again Stewart showcases his well-honed screen persona of hapless and gullible, performances keynoted by whiny, shrill confusion and frustration. In this film, however, these devices typical of Stewart's acting technique work for his character of the lover seduced by otherworldly powers.

In a film, abundant with eccentricity, it is the performances of the supporting cast that gives the film much of its enjoyable moments. The quirky genius of Ernie Kovacs shines as an alcoholic huckster who authors dubious exposes of witchcraft with enough sensationalist elements to guarantee best sellers. As Sidney Redlitch, Kovacs veritably steals every scene in which he appears. Grandiose in manner, and outrageous in dress, and as one character describes her, appearing as if she lived in a "pickle jar," Hermoine Gingold provides the perfect incarnation of the grand old dame of this New York witchery set. As Bianca de Passe, she reigns over proceedings, a figure lounging in the club where the coven congregates, a Greenwich Village cellar hangout appropriately named "The Zodiac." Jack Lemmon lends his great comedic facility to Nicky, a boyish amalgam of merry-magic prankster and bongo playing beatnik.

There is not one superfluous or dull moment in this movie. The premise and script are clever, it all fits, it all works and it's a whole lot of magical fun.

Vertigo co-stars Stewart (in his last turn as a romantic lead) and Novak elevate this, Stewart's other "Christmas movie," movie to above mid-level entertainment. The chemistry between the two stars makes for a fairly moving experience and further revelation can be gleaned from the movie if witchcraft is seen as a metaphor for the private pain that hampers many people's relationships. All in all, a nice diversion with legendary stars, 7/10.

I first saw Bell Book and Candle as a kid, and I remember completely falling in love with Kim Novak and James Stewart as a couple. It was many years before I saw them in their first pairing, Vertigo, and to this day, I still prefer the witchcraft to the Hitchcock.

Kim Novak is a beautiful, modern-day witch living in New York City, hiding her powers from normal people, including her neighbor James Stewart. Jimmy is engaged to Janice Rule, whom Kim Novak hates, so she casts a little spell to exact revenge. Under the love spell, Jimmy dumps his fiancé and falls for Kim, but when she starts to fall in love with him too, what's a witch to do? This is a great movie to watch on Halloween, if you don't like scary movies but still want a festive flick. Despite Jack Lemmon's manic bongo playing and Elsa Lanchester's normal facial expressions, there's really nothing spooky about this movie. Kim has a beautiful Siamese cat, and sometimes a little spooky music plays as she talks to her cat and casts a spell, but it's more alluring than scary.

I love this movie, and while I found James Stewart very attractive in his silver-haired glory, he sadly felt he was too old to continue playing romantic leads, even though he was only fifty. This was his last one, and he went on to play nonromantic movies. Jimmy and Kim make an adorable couple, and their chemistry is lovely. If you've never seen this cute magical flick, give it a watch this October and get ready to fall in love.

Jimmy Stewart was too old. Almost uncomfortable watching him kiss gorgeous Kim Novak who looks like his daughter. She can't really deliver a funny line either and that's also a problem. Great supporting cast including Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Janice Rule, Hermoine Gingold and Ernie Kovaks. For jazz fans the Condoli brothers open the movie doing their thing in the Greenwich Village jazz club. This was a hot Broadway show and it took 10 years to translate to the big screen. Cary Grant campaigned for the role. Would have been a better choice even though he was too old also. But maybe they would have had more chemistry than Jimmy and Kim.

NYC and the cat steal the show.

Beautiful cat, and I loved the cubist cat painting in one of the first scenes. Strange to watch a 50 yr - old man smoozing a 25 year old Hottie. Entertaining other characters.