Customer Reviews

Bell, Book and Candle

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Has there ever been a better actress to play a witch so wickedly
glamourous? Could another actor be an unsuspecting boob so
perfectly? Or have two of the biggest bumblers as relatives?
Happily not! Kim Novac delivers a completely believeable
performance as Gillian, the beautiful lonely witch who wants a
"normal" life and can anyone top Jimmy Stewart as her clueless
prey? These two should have done more movies together! As for
the supporting cast, Elsa Lancaster (better known as the "Bride
of Frankenstein") is perfect as Queenie, Gillian's aunt, Jack Lemmon in a surprising role as Gillian's beatnik brother who befriends a writer (played by Ernie Kovacs) and offers him an "inside look" at the witchcraft crowd, the head of which is none other than Hermione Ginghold (in a particularly hilarious
scene with Jimmy Stewart - his facial expressions are priceless).
This movie offers comedy, sadness, sweetness and a tiny bit of
spooky plus a very crossed-eyed Siamese named Pyewacket. Great
movie to see anytime of the year but certainly Halloween and
Christmas fits best. This was not the first movie produced
with this kind of storyline (Veronica Lake in "My Favorite Wife"
for instance) but altho made in the 50's still holds it's own
today. Even the fashions are timeless...as is this love story.
So Ring the bell, close the book and light the candle - you may
find yourself humming a little tune to your own cat or putting
out all the street lamps just for fun!