Maddie James
Bell, Book and Candle is a Broadway play written by John Van Druten in 1950. The play ran for 233 performances during the 1950-1951 season and was directed by Van Druten himself. The story revolves around Gillian Holroyd, a witch who owns an art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and her interest in her new neighbour, a publisher named Shepherd Henderson. The play was adapted into a film in 1958, starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design. Bell, Book and Candle was a popular choice for mature actresses during the summer stock season and was also made into a television sitcom in 1976.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 1958 |
| Genre | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance |
| Director | Richard Quine |
| Screenplay | Daniel Taradash |
| Based on | 1950 Broadway play of the same title by John Van Druten |
| Starring | James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs |
| Plot | A witch who casts a spell on her neighbour |
| Popular culture references | Inspired the television series Bewitched |
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What You'll Learn
The play's Broadway run
John Van Druten's play Bell, Book and Candle ran for 233 performances during the 1950-1951 season at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on Broadway. The original production was directed by Van Druten, with scenic and lighting design by George C. Jenkins, and costumes by Anna Hill Johnstone. Additional costumes were exclusively designed for actress Lilli Palmer by Valentina. The play starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer as a married couple.
Following the close of the original Broadway production, a US national tour of the play in 1952–53 starred Rosalind Russell and then Joan Bennett. A later West End production at London's Phoenix Theatre opened on 5 October 1954 and ran for 485 performances, closing on 3 December 1955. This version relocated the action from Manhattan to Knightsbridge and changed the forename of the leading male character from Shep to Tony.
The play was adapted into a film in 1958 starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule. The film was directed by Richard Quine and was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design.
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The film adaptation
The film follows the story of a family of witches—Gillian Holroyd (Novak), her brother Nicky Holroyd (Lemmon), and their aunt Queenie Holroyd (Lanchester)—who live unnoticed among the population of New Yorkers. Gillian is the owner of an art store in Greenwich Village and secretly a witch. Bored with her routine life, she takes an interest in her new neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson (Stewart). On Christmas Eve, Shep discovers Gillian's aunt Queenie inside his apartment. After ushering her out, he goes downstairs to use Gillian's phone and Queenie urges her niece to steal Shep away from his fiancée.
Gillian casts a spell on Shep, and he falls in love with her. However, as the film progresses, Shep discovers that Gillian is a witch and that she had cast a spell on him. Despite this, the film ends on a positive note, with Gillian and Shep embracing on top of the Flatiron Building.
The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design but lost in both categories. It is considered Stewart's final role as a romantic lead. The film was also the inspiration for the television series Bewitched.
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The TV pilot
In 1976, Bell, Book and Candle was pitched as a television sitcom fantasy series. A 30-minute pilot episode, starring Yvette Mimieux and Michael Murphy, aired on NBC on 8 September 1976. The pilot was directed by Hy Averback and written by Richard DeRoy, with Bruce Lansbury as the executive producer. The show was not picked up.
The original play, written by John Van Druten, ran for 233 performances during the 1950-1951 season and starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer. It was adapted into a film in 1958, starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule. The film was directed by Richard Quine and was considered a blockbuster by Columbia. It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design.
While the TV pilot did not result in a full series order, it demonstrated the continued appeal of the story and its ability to be adapted for different mediums. The premise of witches living among mortals and engaging in romantic relationships has proven to be a popular and entertaining concept, as evidenced by the success of the original play and film.
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The play's inspiration
The play Bell, Book and Candle was a favourite of mature actresses to perform in summer stock and take on the road. It was written by John Van Druten and first produced in New York by Irene Mayer Selznick on 14 November 1950. The play ran for 233 performances during the 1950-1951 season and starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer, who were married at the time.
The play is a comedy-fantasy-romance that revolves around a family of witches and a publisher who lives in their building. The most powerful witch, Gillian, yearns to be normal. One night, she puts a spell on the publisher, played by James Stewart, and he falls in love with her. The phrase "bell, book, and candle" dates back to the 14th century and was used in excommunication ceremonies. Shakespeare also used the phrase in his play, King John.
The play was successfully adapted into a film in 1958, starring Kim Novak as Gillian, James Stewart as the publisher, and Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, and Hermione Gingold as the other witches. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design.
The play and film inspired the 1960s television series Bewitched, which featured a similar concept of witches living as mortals and having romantic relationships with them.
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The film's critical reception
The film adaptation of "Bell, Book and Candle" received mixed reviews. It was considered a blockbuster by Columbia Pictures and was promoted as such before its release. The movie premiered in Los Angeles in November 1958 and later in New York on Christmas Day.
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times criticised the premise as "silly and banal" and the screenplay as lacking in "consistent witchery or bounce". However, he praised the film's camera work, set design, and use of colour as "sleek and pictorially entrancing."
The film is considered to be Stewart's final role as a romantic lead. It is also recognised for its quirky comic charm and excellent performances by the supporting cast, including Elsa Lanchester, Ernie Kovacs, and Jack Lemmon. Lemmon, in particular, was noted for his portrayal of Novak's bongo-playing hipster brother, which helped launch his career that year.
One reviewer on IMDb described the film as "fair," but worth watching for Kim Novak's performance and striking natural looks. They also praised Hermione Gingold's portrayal of Mrs. DePass, a head witch. Another reviewer on the same platform highlighted the film's light entertainment value, showcasing a family of witches and the publisher who lives in their building.
"Bell, Book and Candle" was also nominated for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design in 1959.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bell, Book and Candle was a popular summer stock play. It was a favourite of mature actresses to do in summer stock and take on the road.
The play was written by John Van Druten.
The original Broadway production starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer.
Yes, the play was adapted into a film in 1958 starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Hermoine Gingold, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule.
