Jessie Taylor
The 1958 romantic fantasy comedy film Bell, Book and Candle is available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. You can also watch it for free on Tubi. The film stars Kim Novak as Gillian Holroyd, a modern-day witch living in Greenwich Village who falls for her dashing neighbour, Shep Henderson (James Stewart). When Gillian learns that Shep is engaged, she casts a love spell on him but risks losing her powers forever. The film is based on a popular 1950s stage play of the same name and also stars Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, and Ernie Kovacs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance |
| Year | 1958 |
| Duration | 1 hr 43 min |
| Rating | 6.8 |
| Director | Richard Quine |
| Cast | James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Hermione Gingold, Elsa Lanchester, Janice Rule |
| Streaming Platforms | Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home |
| Rental Platforms | Amazon Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
You can watch Bell, Book and Candle on Amazon Prime Video by renting or buying the movie. Rentals include 30 days to start watching the video and 48 hours to finish once started.
The movie stars Kim Novak as Gillian Holroyd, a modern-day witch and the most seductive sorceress in Greenwich Village, New York City. It also features James Stewart as Shep Henderson, a charming publisher who is under Gillian's spell, as well as Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Hermione Gingold, Elsa Lanchester, and Janice Rule.
In the film, Gillian discovers that her new neighbour, Shep Henderson, is engaged to her old college rival, Janice Rule's character. She promptly casts a love spell on him, but in the process, finds herself actually falling for him, which poses a problem: she will lose her powers if she falls in love.
Bell, Book and Candle was released on Christmas Day in 1958 and is known for its stunning cinematography by James Wong Howe, beautifully captured in Technicolor transfer. The film is a delightful spoof on witchcraft, with a mix of romance, comedy, and magic, making it a fun watch for the whole family.
Goop Candles: What's the Scent?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Stream for free on Tubi
If you're looking to stream *Bell, Book and Candle* for free, then Tubi is your best option. The movie is available on the platform for free, with a run time of 1 hour and 43 minutes. The 1958 romantic fantasy comedy features a stellar cast, including James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, and Elsa Lanchester.
The movie is an adaptation of John Van Druten's play of the same name, which ran during the 1950-1951 season. It follows the story of a modern-day witch, Gillian Holroyd (Novak), who lives in Greenwich Village. When a publisher, Shep Henderson (Stewart), moves into the apartment above hers, she falls for him. However, she learns that he is engaged to her college nemesis, Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule).
Gillian uses her cat, Pyewacket, to cast a love spell on Shep, and he immediately falls for her. With the help of her warlock brother, Nicky (Lemmon), she also summons a bestselling author, Sidney Redlitch (Kovacs), to New York. Redlitch wants to write a book about witches in New York, and Gillian hopes to use him to prevent Shep from learning about her true identity as a witch.
Bell, Book and Candle offers a pleasant and light-hearted viewing experience, with a great cast of comic actors and a charming story. While it may not be a groundbreaking film, it is definitely worth watching, especially for fans of classic romantic comedies and fantasy stories. So, if you're looking for a cozy night in, grab your snacks, and stream Bell, Book and Candle for free on Tubi!
Jo Malone Candles: Toxic or Safe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Download or rent on Apple TV
You can download or rent Bell, Book and Candle on Apple TV through the Fandango At Home service. The film is also available to buy or rent on Amazon Video.
Bell, Book and Candle is a comedy fantasy from 1958. It stars Kim Novak as a modern-day witch who lives in Greenwich Village. She falls for her neighbour, played by James Stewart, but discovers he is engaged. She casts a love spell so that he falls for her instead, but this puts her magical powers at risk.
The film has a strong supporting cast, including Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Hermione Gingold, Elsa Lanchester, and Janice Rule. It was directed by Richard Quine and runs for 1 hour and 43 minutes.
You can also watch Bell, Book and Candle for free on Tubi.
Woodwick Candles: Are They Toxic or Safe?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kim Novak stars as Gillian Holroyd
Novak's performance as Gillian received positive reviews. One review noted that she "gives the character a detachment befitting a witch, showing emotion when it becomes appropriate, and with that voice, fabulous face, and magnificent wardrobe, she certainly is magical". Another review called Novak "the real star of the film", highlighting her "beautiful (single) witch" portrayal.
Novak herself considered Jimmy Stewart, her co-star in the film, as her favourite leading man during her career. She also cited Bell, Book and Candle as one of her two favourite films, the other being Vertigo (1958), in which she also starred alongside Stewart.
Novak's portrayal of Gillian Holroyd in Bell, Book and Candle has been praised for its exploration of feminism and the occult. One review noted the dichotomy between Gillian and her sister, as well as the intergenerational tension between witches of different ages, positioning the film as "one of the most powerful allegories of feminism and the occult". The film also addresses the trope of a witch choosing between her magic and a love interest, reflecting on the societal perception of women with power as unsuitable for marriage.
Standard Candles: Astronomy's Universal Distance Markers
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Based on the 1950s play by John Van Druten
The 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle is based on the 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten. The play, written by Van Druten as a comedy in three acts, centres on Gillian Holroyd, a witch living in the Murray Hill district of New York City, who casts a love spell on her neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson, after discovering he is engaged to her college rival. The film adaptation stars Kim Novak as Gillian and James Stewart as Shep.
Van Druten, an English playwright and theatre director, stated that he originally conceived the play as more serious but shifted his focus to the self-gratifying nature of witches and witchcraft. The play explores the idea that "one has to stop living in terms of 'self' if aspects of love are ever to be realized".
The original Broadway production of the play opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on November 14, 1950, and ran for 233 performances before closing on June 2, 1951. Following its Broadway run, the play embarked on a US national tour in 1952-53, starring Rosalind Russell, and later Joan Bennett. A West End production at London's Phoenix Theatre opened in October 1954 and enjoyed a successful run of 485 performances. This version relocated the setting from Manhattan to Knightsbridge and changed the name of the leading male character from Shep to Tony.
The film adaptation of Bell, Book and Candle, released in 1958, was directed by Richard Quine and written by Daniel Taradash. It is considered an influential work, inspiring the popular TV series Bewitched.
Woodwick Candles: Soy Wax, Wood Wicks, and Natural Scents
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can buy the movie on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home.
The movie is currently not available for free but you can check streaming platforms for updates.
The movie is a combination of comedy, fantasy, and romance.
The movie stars Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs.
The movie is about a modern-day witch, Gillian Holroyd, who falls in love with her neighbour, Shep Henderson, and casts a love spell on him.
