Bell, Book and Candle
- Bell, Book and Candle was a 1958 romantic comedy directed by Richard Quine and starring James Stewart and Kim Novak in their second on-screen pairing (after the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo). The film, based on a play written by John Van Druten and adapted by Daniel Taradash, was Stewart's last film as a romantic lead.
Fans of the film point to similarities between it and the earlier I Married A Witch and especially the television series Bewitched, speculating that this picture may have been an inspiration.
- Pics of Kim Novak in Bell, Book and Candle
Plot
Greenwich Village witch Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) has been unlucky in love and restless in life. Then publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart) walks into her gallery of primitive art to use the telephone. When she discovers he's about to marry an old college enemy of hers, Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule), she takes revenge by casting a love spell on him, but must eventually make a choice between true love and witchcraft. Apparently witches can't fall in love and retain their supernatural powers.
Meanwhile, the author of a best-selling book, "Magic in Mexico," whom Shep expresses an interest in meeting, arrives on the scene, thanks to a little magic. Sidney Redlitch (Ernie Kovacs), decides to research witches for a book and acquires an unlikely collaborator when warlock Nicky Holroyd (Jack Lemmon) catches the writing bug.
Reception
When first released in October of 1958, Bell, Book and Candle was a moderate success. The soundtrack, featuring Philippe Clay and The Brothers Candoli who appeared in the film in cameo appearances, also found success.
Awards
Academy Awards
Nominated: Best Art Direction - (Cary Odell and Louis Diage) Best Costume Design - (Jean Louis)
Golden Globes
Nominated:
Best Motion Picture - Comedy
Cast
- James Stewart as Shepherd 'Shep' Henderson
- Kim Novak as Gillian 'Gil' Holroyd
- Jack Lemmon as Nicky Holroyd
- Ernie Kovacs as Sidney Redlitch
- Hermione Gingold as Bianca de Passe
- Elsa Lanchester as Queenie
- Janice Rule as Merle Kittridge
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell%2C_Book_and_Candle"
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