L'adorable voisine

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.

"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!

Bell Book and Candle is not a great movie by any means (it's fair), but it's worth checking out for a couple of reasons. First, it's almost hard to believe this is the same Kim Novak that graced the screen in Vertigo the same year. The combination of her manner in this film, and her incredibly striking natural good looks make her almost hypnotic. She wears little or no makeup throughout the film, and looks infinitely better than being slathered in makeup in all her other films. Sharon Stone wishes she looked this good.

The second reason this film is worth checking out is Jimmy Stewart. Now, while I consider Stewart my favorite actor of all time, there were many instances where he was just not effective in the role he was playing. He's at his best when he's playing the naive sap (Mr. Smith, Destry, Harvey), the everyday man (Made for each other, Philadelphia story), or the straight nose who is thrust into unusual situations (this film, You Can't Take it with you) where he can play off of what's happening to him. His weaker performances, I felt, were in his straight forward dramatic roles (liberty valance, man who knew too much, even Vertigo). This film is a chance to see his everyman thrust into wacky situations.

This film is a little too tame to be considered screwball, but as with any good screwball, the supporting cast is as important as the leads. Elsa Lanchester, AKA Bride of Frankenstein, is hilarious. Ernie Kovacs, as Sidney Redlitch, is an absolute riot. I had to pause the film when he goes looking for a little "post holiday cheer", I was laughing so hard. Then, of course, there's a pre-The Apartment Jack Lemmon in a supporting role, as well.

Bell Book and Candle isn't great, and it never really seems sure of what kind of film it's trying to be, but it's pretty funny and worth seeing for the performances alone.

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 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