Ben Carter
In the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle, Kim Novak was in her late twenties. Novak plays Gillian Holroyd, a witch living in New York City's Greenwich Village. The film is a romantic comedy that was directed by Richard Quine and also starred James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs. Novak's performance in the film is noted for her natural beauty and striking good looks, with the camera said to adore her. The film was a success and is considered to be one of Novak's big years, along with her performance in Vertigo, which was released the same year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1958 |
| Kim Novak's character | Gillian Holroyd/[Gil] |
| Gillian Holroyd's profession | Witch |
| Gillian Holroyd's business | Rare ethnological art store |
| Gillian Holroyd's pet | Cat named Pyewacket |
| James Stewart's character | Shepherd Henderson/[Shep] |
| Setting | Manhattan/New York City |
| Genre | Supernatural romantic comedy |
| Director | Richard Quine |
| Screenplay | Daniel Taradash |
| Based on | John Van Druten's Broadway play |
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What You'll Learn
Kim Novak's age in Bell, Book and Candle
Kim Novak was in her mid-twenties when she starred in the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle. She was born in 1933, making her 25 years old in 1958.
Novak played Gillian Holroyd (or Gil), a witch living in New York City's Greenwich Village. The film is a romantic comedy, and Novak's character uses her powers to win over her neighbour, Shepherd "Shep" Henderson, played by James Stewart.
Novak's performance in Bell, Book and Candle has been described as "hypnotic", with her natural beauty and striking looks noted by critics. In the film, Novak wears little to no makeup, a departure from her other films, and her wardrobe includes black, red, and leopard print clothing.
Bell, Book and Candle was a significant film for Novak, released the same year as Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, in which she also starred. While Vertigo garnered the best reviews of her career, Bell, Book and Candle was also a success and showcased Novak's range as an actress.
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Novak's character Gillian Holroyd
In the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle, Kim Novak plays Gillian 'Gil' Holroyd, a witch who owns a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City. Bored with her routine life, she takes an interest in her new neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson, and casts a spell on him. Gil is introduced wearing a black sweater, black cigarette pants, and a red tunic, and is later seen wearing gorgeous capes, cloaks, gloves, and a leopard print cape. She has a Siamese cat named Pyewacket, who is her familiar and helps her cast spells.
Gil is torn when Shep proposes to her because witches lose their magic when they fall in love. However, she agrees to marry him and confesses that their relationship is the result of her spell. Shep leaves her heartbroken when he believes that she only enchanted him to spite his fiancée, Merle Kittridge.
Novak's portrayal of Gillian Holroyd is considered a "gateway" to the world of magic and witchcraft for young teens, with her character embracing her natural sexuality and erotic magnetism. The dichotomy between Gillian and her sister, who is a studious herbologist, reflects the intergenerational tension between witches of different ages and the innate power of sisterhood.
Novak was 25 years old when she played the role of Gillian Holroyd in Bell, Book and Candle. The film is considered a "blockbuster" by Columbia Pictures and received two Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.
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Novak's natural look
Kim Novak was 25 years old when she starred in the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle. In the film, Novak wears little to no makeup, showcasing her incredibly striking natural good looks. Her delicate features and soft dramatic style, with elegant and curvy silhouettes, are enhanced by her wardrobe choices.
Novak's character, Gil, has a sophisticated yet subdued fashion sense. Her wardrobe includes a reversible leopard print cape, a black ensemble with hints of leopard print, and a burgundy velvet backless dress with jeweled bangles. These outfits are paired with simple black basics and fun accessories, creating a chic and stylish look.
Novak's natural beauty and hypnotic presence in the film are highlighted by her minimal makeup look. Her manner and otherworldly persona in Bell, Book and Candle are a stark contrast to her role in Vertigo, which was released the same year.
Novak's performance in Bell, Book and Candle showcases her versatility as an actress and her ability to embody a wide range of characters. Her natural look in the film, with minimal makeup and a focus on her delicate features, has been praised by viewers and serves as a testament to her timeless beauty.
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Novak's costumes
Kim Novak was 25 years old when she played Gillian 'Gil' Holroyd in the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle. Novak's wardrobe in the film was designed by Jean Louis and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
Novak's character, Gil, is the owner of a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and is secretly a witch. Gil's wardrobe reflects the cold weather setting of the film, with gorgeous capes, cloaks, and gloves. In the first scene, Gil is wearing a black polo neck sweater with black cigarette pants and a red tunic. Gil's most memorable piece is her leopard print cape, which is reversible, with hints of the print peeking through an otherwise all-black ensemble.
Novak's hair colour in the film was a champagne blonde, with a light lavender rinse to make her stand out from other blondes of the time.
The costumes in Bell, Book and Candle have been described as "stylish" and "beatnik", with a cool, relaxed, and elegant vibe. They have inspired fashion interpretations for winter wardrobes and holiday looks.
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Novak's apartment
In the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle, Kim Novak portrays Gillian Holroyd, a witch who owns a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City. Novak's character, Gil, lives in an apartment above her store.
The film's set design, including that of Novak's apartment, was praised by Bosley Crowther of The New York Times as "sleek and pictorially entrancing". The film's art direction, including the creation of Novak's apartment set, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction (Cary Odell and Louis Diage).
The overall aesthetic of the apartment, with its mix of ethnological art and witchy charms, adds to the film's supernatural romantic comedy tone.
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Frequently asked questions
Kim Novak was 25 years old during the filming of Bell, Book and Candle.
Kim Novak was 25 years old when Bell, Book and Candle was released in 1958.
Kim Novak was 25 years old while her co-star James Stewart was 50 years old.
Kim Novak starred in both Bell, Book and Candle and Vertigo in 1958, when she was 25 years old.
