Brooke Martin
Bell, Book and Candle is a 1958 American romantic comedy film starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs. The film is an adaptation of the 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten and was directed by Richard Quine. The plot centres around Gillian (Novak), a witch who owns an art shop in New York City, and her neighbour Shep (Stewart), a publisher who becomes the object of her affections. With the help of her cat, Pyewacket, Gillian casts a spell on Shep, leading to a series of romantic complications. The film received nominations for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design at the 1959 Oscars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1958 |
| Genre | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance |
| Director | Richard Quine |
| Screenplay | Daniel Taradash |
| Based on the play by | John Van Druten |
| Cast | Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Ernie Kovacs, Janice Rule, Hermione Gingold |
| Rating | 6.8 |
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What You'll Learn
Bell, Book and Candle was released in 1958
Bell, Book and Candle is an American romantic comedy film that was released in 1958. It was directed by Richard Quine and based on the 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten. The film stars Kim Novak as Gillian, a witch and owner of an art shop in New York City, and James Stewart as her neighbour, Shep Henderson, a publisher who becomes the object of Gillian's affections.
The film also features performances by Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold, and Janice Rule. It is noted for its use of Technicolor and a pleasant score by George Duning. The story is set during the Christmas season and includes elements of magic and witchcraft, with Gillian using her powers to pursue Shep, despite the risk of losing her magic if she falls in love.
The film received nominations for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design at the 1959 Oscar® race but did not win in either category. Bell, Book and Candle has been described as light and entertaining, with a delightful comedy storyline and a charming set that replicates New York. It is considered memorable, particularly for its supporting cast and the pairing of Novak and Stewart, who had also collaborated on the film "Vertigo" the same year.
The release of Bell, Book and Candle in 1958 brought a successful adaptation of the popular play to the screen, offering a sparkling romantic comedy with supernatural overtones and enchanting viewers with its magical story set during the holidays.
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The film is an adaptation of a play
The 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle is an adaptation of a play of the same name. The play was written by John Van Druten and first produced on Broadway in 1950. It starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer, who would later become Harrison's wife. The play was a hit, running for 233 performances before closing in 1951. It then went on a US national tour in 1952–53, starring Rosalind Russell and later Joan Bennett. A West End production opened in London in 1954 and ran for 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 was directed by Richard Quine and starred Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs. It is a romantic comedy with supernatural elements, centred on a family of witches living in New York City. The plot follows Gillian, a witch and owner of an art store, who casts a spell on her neighbour Shep, a publisher, to make him fall in love with her. The film received nominations for Best Art Direction/Set Design and Best Costume Design at the 1959 Oscars but did not win in either category.
There were some differences in the casting choices for the film adaptation. The producers initially wanted Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer, who had starred in the original play, for the lead roles. However, Columbia chief Harry Cohn decided on Kim Novak for the female lead. Harrison was also no longer available due to scheduling conflicts. Other actors considered for the lead roles included Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, but they were ultimately not chosen due to creative differences and Kelly's decision to end her career.
The film successfully adapted the play for the screen, although it did have a somewhat "stagy" feel according to some reviews. The use of Technicolor, the musical score by George Duning, and the strong cast of comic actors were all praised. Jack Lemmon, in particular, received acclaim for his portrayal of Gillian's brother, a musician with magical powers.
Overall, the film Bell, Book and Candle is a fun and entertaining adaptation of the popular play by John Van Druten, bringing the story of witches in New York City to life with humour and charm.
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Kim Novak plays Gillian, a witch
Kim Novak plays Gillian Holroyd, a witch, in the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle. The film is an adaptation of a Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten. Novak's character is the owner of a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and secretly a witch. Bored with her routine life, she takes an interest in her new neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson, played by James Stewart.
Gillian is described as sultry and soft-voiced, and is the most expert witch in her family. She puts a spell on Shep, making him fall in love with her. Her brother, Nicky Holroyd, is a bongo-playing warlock, and her aunt, Queenie, is also a witch. When Shep arrives home on Christmas Eve, he discovers Queenie inside his apartment. Offended at being ushered out, she casts a hex on Shep's telephone.
Gillian and Nicky quarrel about his exposing their world to the writer Sidney Redlitch, and about her preparing to renounce magic and marry Shep. Using her powers to make Shep lose all interest in publishing Nicky and Redlitch's book, Gillian confesses that she is a witch and that their relationship is the result of her spell. She is also threatened to curse Merle, Shep's fiancée, but her cat, Pyewacket, runs away, and Shep is unable to be convinced that he was bewitched.
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James Stewart plays Shep, a publisher
James Stewart plays the role of Shep, whose full name is Shepherd Henderson, in the 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle. Stewart's character is a publisher who lives in the same building as a family of witches.
Shep is the new upstairs neighbour of Gillian Holroyd, played by Kim Novak. Gillian is the owner of a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and she is secretly a witch. Bored with her routine life, Gillian takes an interest in her new neighbour. On Christmas Eve, Shep arrives home to discover Gillian's aunt, Queenie, inside his apartment.
Gillian uses her Siamese cat, Pyewacket, to cast a love spell on Shep, and he becomes immediately enamoured of her. Shep is engaged to be married to Merle Kittridge, but after spending the night out on the town with Gillian, he breaks up with Merle.
Gillian and her brother Nicky quarrel about his exposing their world to the writer Sidney Redlitch, and about her preparing to renounce magic and marry Shep. Using her powers to make Shep lose all interest in publishing Nicky and Redlitch's book, Gillian confesses that she is a witch and that their relationship is the result of her spell. Shep refuses to believe her, but he eventually runs into Queenie, who confirms Gillian's version of events.
Bell, Book and Candle is considered James Stewart's final role as a romantic lead.
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The film also stars Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, and Ernie Kovacs
The 1958 American romantic comedy film Bell, Book and Candle stars Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Hermione Gingold, Elsa Lanchester, and Janice Rule. Lemmon, Kovacs, Gingold, Lanchester, and Rule play supporting roles in the film.
Jack Lemmon, who was born in 1925 in Newton, Massachusetts, had his first film role in 1949. He is known for his roles in Some Like It Hot (1959), The Apartment (1960), The Great Race (1965), The Odd Couple (1968), and many other films. He has won numerous awards for his acting, including the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award and the AFI Life Achievement Award.
Elsa Lanchester was an English actress born in London in 1902. She began her career in the 1920s and had her first Hollywood role in the 1930s. Lanchester is known for her roles in The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), and Come to the Stable (1949). She received two Academy Award nominations during her career.
Ernie Kovacs was a comedian, actor, and writer born in 1919 in Trenton, New Jersey. He began his career in radio before moving into television in the 1950s. Kovacs appeared in films such as Operation Mad Ball (1957), Bell, Book and Candle (1958), and It Happened to Jane (1959). He is also known for creating and starring in his own television show, The Ernie Kovacs Show, which aired from 1952 to 1962.
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Frequently asked questions
1958.
Richard Quine.
The screenplay was written by Daniel Taradash and was based on the 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten.
The movie starred Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Elsa Lanchester, and Janice Rule.
The movie is a romantic comedy about a witch, played by Kim Novak, who casts a spell on her neighbour, played by James Stewart.
