Una strega in paradiso

"Bell, Book and Candle," one of two 1958 pairings of James Stewart and Kim Novak, may or may not be a great movie. I've long since given up caring about that question; these days, at the umpty-umpteenth viewing of the film (which dates back to the first time I ever caught it in its "secondary," or "neighborhood release" at San Francisco's Castro Theatre), I find myself still enjoying it as though I were seeing it for that first time.

On the surface, this should rightly be only one among many so-called, and largely formulaic, "sophisticated comedies" of the late-50s era. Wrong!

For one thing, you can't cast James Stewart in such a film and expect it to run true to form! More to the point, you shouldn't expect him to appear opposite Kim Novak (and 'opposite' here is the key word, in that his aura of decency and groundedness were diametrically contrary to the glacial other-worldliness which she personified), and not expect strange sparks to fly. (Hitchcock, after all, relied on this dichotomy, for different purposes, in "Vertigo.")

Add to this mixture certain key scenes which rely upon the comic chemistry between Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs --already well-established in the previous year's "Operation Mad Ball" (and catch this overlooked gem, if you can, if only to see Kovacs at his absolute cinematic best) -- and you're well on your way to understanding why "Bell, Book and Candle" still turns up regularly on such venues as American Movie Classics, to say nothing of its "shelf life" in video rental outlets.

Were that not enough, you get BOTH Elsa Lanchester and Hermione Gingold, a first-rate score by George Duning ("Picnic"), superior production values and -- oh, yeah, by the way -- a storyline that can both make you laugh and pluck at the errant heartstring or two (if you don't watch out!) . ..

You get a lesson in cinematic chemistry. Maybe even . . . alchemy!

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

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.

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.