Bell Book and Candle (1958)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   Spiritual precursor to both Bewitched and The Love Witch, Bell, Book and Candle reunites Kim Novak with her Vertigo co-star James Stewart to fairly amusing effect. She's a witch who, practically on a whim since witches can't technically love, puts him under her spell. Eventually, she'll have to choose between committment (love) and freedom (her powers) in a way that can only be read as sexist, but that mirrors a lot of romcoms. The woman is attractive because she's independent and owns her power, but the man needs to dominate her and rob her of the very thing that attracted her to him. Here it's witchcraft, but you could call it sexuality, etc. It's very '50s in that sense, but while it comments on gender politics, I don't think it necessarily agrees with the conclusion. It's unevenly funny, but when it amuses, it amuses well. The way Novak tortures Stewart's fiancée, is a great little scene. Stewart is well-practiced as a tongue-tied leading man. Jack Lemmon and Elsa Lanchester are fun as the other witches in the family. And Ernie Kovacs steals the show as the lush writer of supernatural manuals. Him and Pyewacket, the PATSY-award winning cat who plays the witch's familiar. Great cat actor! 4 years 6 months ago
2. 

   MovieDearest

   Title corrected, thanks! 13 years 4 months ago
3. 

   MovieDearest

   This is "Bell Book and Candle". 13 years 4 months ago

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