Ben Carter
The 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle is a romantic comedy with a twist of fantasy, starring Kim Novak as a witch who casts a spell on her neighbour, played by James Stewart. With its snowy New York City streets, Christmas trees, and holiday gift-giving, the film has all the makings of a festive classic. But is it a Christmas movie? The film opens on Christmas Eve, and the holiday is woven into the plot, with the protagonist, Gillian, even owning a cat named Pyewacket, a popular Christmas cat name. However, the film also explores darker themes of witchcraft and spells, blurring the lines between festive cheer and spooky season thrills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance |
| Release date | 25 December 1958 |
| Setting | Manhattan, New York City |
| Story | Based on the play of the same name by John Van Druten |
| Stars | James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs |
| Plot | A witch casts a spell on her neighbour |
| Christmas elements | Snow, Christmas tree, Christmas gifts, Christmas Eve, Jingle Bells |
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What You'll Learn
The film's Christmas setting
The film Bell, Book and Candle is set during the Christmas season in New York City. The story opens on Christmas Eve, with Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) lamenting the lack of romance in her life. She owns a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and is a witch. Her neighbour is publisher Shepherd Henderson (James Stewart).
The film's soundtrack also helps to evoke the Christmas setting, with a few bars of "Jingle Bells" incorporated into the main theme, along with bongos and violins. Each witch, including Pyewacket the cat, is identified by a musical signature.
Gift-giving is a minor but integral part of the plot. Nicky gives his sister Gillian a potion for Christmas, which she uses to summon the author Sidney Redlitch (Ernie Kovacs) to New York. The film also explores family and love, making it well-suited for holiday viewing.
The Christmas setting adds a layer of magic and surprise to the story, as Shep finds himself falling under Gillian's spell on Christmas Eve. The snowy New York setting and the timelessness of the holiday season enhance the film's romantic and supernatural themes.
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The film's snowy city streets
The 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle is a romantic comedy with a twist of fantasy and a charming mix of comedy and supernatural elements. The movie is set in Manhattan, capturing the snowy city streets of New York City in the late 1950s. The film's cinematography is beautifully crafted, with the camera adoring its female lead, Kim Novak, who plays Gillian Holroyd, a witch and the owner of an art gallery.
The snowy city streets of New York City provide a picturesque backdrop to the film's magical and whimsical tone. The cinematography captures the beauty of a snow-covered New York, with one scene taking place on top of the Flat Iron Building, where the lead characters, Shep and Gillian, stand, taking in the view of the snow-covered city in the early hours of Christmas Day.
The film's snowy streets also extend to the elegant decor of Gillian's art gallery, which is described as having "snowy city streets and elegant decor." The gallery, located in Greenwich Village, serves as a significant location in the film, as it is where Gillian first lays eyes on her neighbour, Shep, played by James Stewart, dashing through the falling snow to his door.
The combination of the snowy city streets, elegant decor, and the magical and romantic elements of the film creates a unique and enchanting Christmas setting that captures the spirit of the festive season in a charming and whimsical way.
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The film's holiday gift-giving
The films set during Christmas offer a great opportunity to explore the art of gift-giving. One such film is Bell, Book and Candle, a 1958 romantic comedy starring Kim Novak as a witch who casts a spell on her neighbour, played by James Stewart. The film is set in New York during Christmas and features a charming mix of fantasy and comedy. In one scene, the characters exchange Christmas gifts, including an enchanted liquid used to summon someone.
The film's holiday setting and themes of magic and surprise make it a perfect inspiration for thoughtful and whimsical gifts. Here are some ideas:
- A gift subscription to a streaming service like Amazon Prime, which offers a vast selection of movies and TV shows, including classic and contemporary Christmas films.
- A mini projector to create a cosy movie night at home, projecting festive films on a large screen for a unique viewing experience.
- A selection of wines, such as Cameron Diaz's organic wine label, Avaline, offering a range of varietals, including a limited-edition pinot noir. This could be paired with festive snacks like Garrett's Hot Cocoa CaramelCrisp Mix popcorn for a delightful holiday evening.
- A hardcover coffee table book featuring movie stills and illustrations, such as the one included in the limited-edition boxed set of Swedish filmmaker Bergman's films, released to honour his 100th birthday.
These gift ideas draw on the magical and festive elements of Bell, Book and Candle, creating a unique and memorable holiday gift-giving experience.
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The film's Christmas tree
The film Bell, Book and Candle (1958) opens with a scene of a Christmas tree. Kim Novak's character Gillian Holroyd, a witch and owner of an art gallery or shop, stands by a very modern Christmas tree, adorned with bronze baubles. She asks her cat, Pyewacket, if he would like to get her something nice for Christmas. The film's Christmas tree is a subtle nod to the holiday setting of the film, which takes place during the Christmas season in New York City.
The Christmas tree is a symbol of the holiday season and sets the festive tone for the film. It is a reminder that the story unfolds during a time of celebration and magic, which aligns with the film's themes of witchcraft and romance. The tree also adds to the film's aesthetic appeal, contributing to the elegant decor of Gillian's art gallery or shop.
The Christmas tree is not just a prop but also serves as a narrative device. It establishes the context for Gillian's desire for something different during the holiday season, which sets the plot in motion. Bored with her routine life, she takes an interest in her new neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart), who lives above her store. The tree symbolises her longing for something more and the potential for magic and transformation during the festive season.
In conclusion, the films Christmas tree in Bell, Book and Candle is more than just a festive prop. It symbolises the magic and transformation at the heart of the story, adds to the aesthetic appeal of the film, and subtly establishes the context for the plot's development. It is a subtle yet powerful element that contributes to the overall charm and uniqueness of this beloved Christmas classic.
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The film's Christmas magic
The film Bell, Book and Candle is a Christmas movie, with the story opening on Christmas Eve and holiday gift-giving being a minor but integral part of the plot. The film's Christmas magic is evident in its enchanting portrayal of the festive season, combining elements of fantasy, comedy, and romance.
The film captures the magic of Christmas through its exploration of surprises, possibilities, and the allure of stepping away from everyday life. This is reflected in the character of Gillian Holroyd, a witch and art gallery owner played by Kim Novak, who finds herself bored and restless during the Christmas holiday season. She yearns for romance and takes an interest in her neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart).
The Christmas setting enhances the film's charm and creates a sense of timelessness within the narrative. The snowy city streets, elegant décor, and a modern Christmas tree all contribute to the festive atmosphere. The film's soundtrack also adds to its Christmas magic, with a few bars of "Jingle Bells" incorporated into the opening credits and the use of music to identify each witch, including Pyewacket the cat.
The gift-giving tradition is central to the plot, as Gillian's brother Nicky gives her a potion for Christmas that allows her to summon anyone she desires. This gift becomes a pivotal moment in the story, as Gillian uses it to bring author Sidney Redlitch to New York, leading to romantic complications and a happy ending.
The film's release on Christmas Day in 1958 further emphasizes its association with the festive season, making it a delightful choice for holiday viewing. With its blend of fantasy, comedy, and romantic twists, Bell, Book and Candle captures the spirit of Christmas and the endless possibilities it brings.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the film is set during Christmas and features several Christmas-related scenes, such as gift-giving and a modern Christmas tree.
The film follows Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak), a witch and owner of an art gallery/store in Greenwich Village, New York City, who takes an interest in her new neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart). It is based on the 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten.
Yes, Gillian Holroyd is a witch and is joined by her witch aunt, Queenie Holroyd (Elsa Lanchester), and warlock brother, Nicky Holroyd (Jack Lemmon).
The film opens on Christmas Eve, with Gillian asking her cat, Pyewacket, if he'd like to get her something nice for Christmas. Later, Gillian and her family exchange Christmas gifts, including a potion that allows Gillian to summon anyone she wants.
The film was released in 1958, making it one of the earlier colour movies, and premiered in New York on 25 December that year.
