Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
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73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
67% of users liked it
(5,625 ratings)
John Van Druten's stage comedy Bell Book and Candle starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer on Broadway. The 1958 filmed version stars James Stewart and Kim Novak, fresh from their successful teaming in Hitchcock's Vertigo. Novak plays Gillian Holroyd, a genuine, bonafide witch. Falling in… More John Van Druten's stage comedy Bell Book and Candle starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer on Broadway. The 1958 filmed version stars James Stewart and Kim Novak, fresh from their successful teaming in Hitchcock's Vertigo. Novak plays Gillian Holroyd, a genuine, bonafide witch. Falling in love with publisher Sheperd Henderson (Stewart), Gillian casts a spell on him, obliging him to dump his fiancee and rush to her side. All of this goes against the grain of Gillian's mentor Mrs. De Pass (Hermione Gingold), who does her best to counterract the love spell. Meanwhile, Gillian's wacky warlock brother Nicky (Jack Lemmon) courts disaster by coauthoring a book on black magic with pompous, bibulous novelist Sidney Redlitch (Ernie Kovacs). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Quine
- Written By
- John Van Druten, Daniel Taradash
- Genres
- Romance, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1958 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 28, 2000
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This whimsical comedy about modern-day witches stars Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak in their second teaming (after Vertigo), but it's the supporting cast that shines.
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Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
The airy Novak makes a strong impression, Stewart's comic chops remain in fine fettle, and the distinctive supporting cast can't be beat... [Blu-ray]
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Realizado no mesmo ano de Um Corpo que Cai, traz Stewart e Novak sem um pingo da intensidade exibida no longa de Hitchcock. E por mais que Lemmon seja divertido, o filme soa como um ensaio mal-sucedido de A Feiticeira.
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Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Yep, I'm going to say it: Bewitching!
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Expert film version of the play with gay subtext for days.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Stewart
as Shepard Henderson
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Kim Novak
as Gillian Holroyd
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Jack Lemmon
as Mickey Holrod
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Ernie Kovacs
as Sidney Redlitch
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Hermione Gingold
as Mrs. De Pass
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Elsa Lanchester
as Queenie
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Janice Rule
as Merle Kittridge
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Philippe Clay
as French Singer
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Bek Nelson
as Secretary
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Howard McNear
as Andy White
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Wolfe Barzell
as Proprietor
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Gail Bonney
as Merle's Maid
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Monty Ash
as Herb Store Owner
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Don Brodie
as Cab Driver
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James Lanphier
as Waldo
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John Truax
as Cab Driver
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Ollie O'Toole
as Elevator Operator
