Tyler Brooks
Bell, Book and Candle is the name of a 1958 American romantic comedy film starring Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, and Ernie Kovacs. It was directed by Richard Quine and based on the 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten. The film is about a witch, played by Novak, who casts a spell on her neighbour, played by Stewart. In the film, Gillian Holroyd, the owner of a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and secretly a witch, takes an interest in her new neighbour, a publisher called Shep Henderson. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. The name Bell, Book and Candle was also used for an eclectic shop located on Main Street in Middleton in the Good Witch film and TV series.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Shop in a movie/TV series; Film; Play |
| Location in movie/TV series | Main Street, Middleton |
| Location in film | New York City, Manhattan |
| Year founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Cassie Nightingale |
| Year featured in film | 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, Janice Rule, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Bell Book and Candle shop in Middleton
Bell, Book and Candle is an eclectic shop located on Main Street in Middleton. Cassie Nightingale, who owns the shop, opened it in 2008, shortly after she moved to the town. The store was not initially embraced by the town, but it eventually became one of the most popular stores in Middleton.
The shop is named after the 1958 film 'Bell, Book and Candle', which features a good-intentioned witch. Cassie deliberately chose this name as a way to pay homage to the film. The store was nearly lost when a realtor bought the location and planned to sell it to a coffee chain. However, Cassie was able to keep the store with the help of Ryan Elliot.
In the movies, the shop number is 71, and it is a major location in both the film series and the TV series. The interior of the shop is on a soundstage at the studios where the show films. Over the show's history, there have been five exteriors for Bell, Book and Candle.
Cassie rarely charges customers for the products she recommends. She also owns a bed and breakfast called Grey House, where she lives. Her neighbour, Sam Radford, is a big-city doctor who has recently moved to Middleton with his son, Nick. The show explores the tension between Sam's scientific approach to life and Cassie's more mystical perspective.
Exploring Candler, North Carolina: Location and More
You may want to see also
Explore related products
1958 film set in Manhattan
The 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle is a romantic comedy fantasy set in Manhattan during Christmas. The film is based on a 1950 Broadway play of the same name by John Van Druten and stars Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule.
Novak portrays Gillian, a witch who runs a rare ethnological art store in Greenwich Village, New York City, and secretly practices witchcraft. Bored with her routine life, she takes an interest in her new neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson (played by Stewart). On Christmas Eve, Shep finds Gillian's Aunt Queenie (played by Lanchester) in his apartment. Gillian, the most expert witch in her family, casts a spell on Shep, and he falls in love with her.
The film features an international cast of supporting actors, including an authentic Parisian nightclub act and the eccentric Hermione Gingold, known for her roles in Gigi and Moulin Rouge. Jack Lemmon plays Gillian's brother, Nicky Holroyd, a musician who performs at the Zodiac Club. Ernie Kovacs plays the eccentric writer Sidney Radlitch.
The film is a visual feast, with a charming set that replicates New York, and includes elements of 1950s jazz music in the score. It also features a black cat, a spellbook, and magic tricks. The camera work, set design, and use of colour were praised by critics, and the film is considered Stewart's final role as a romantic lead.
Candlestick Trading: Effective in the Age of High-Frequency Trading?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Broadway play by John Van Druten
The Broadway play "Bell, Book and Candle" was written by John Van Druten and opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater on November 14, 1950. It ran for 233 performances, closing on June 2, 1951. The original Broadway production starred Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer as the leading couple, Gillian Holroyd and Shepherd Henderson.
The play is a romantic comedy set in Gillian Holroyd's mid-20th-century apartment in the Murray Hill district of New York City. It centres around Gillian, a modern-day witch, who casts a spell on an attractive man, Shep Henderson, to make him fall in love with her. However, in the process, she finds herself falling in love with him as well. As the play unfolds, it explores the idea that witches are inherently self-centred and exist for their own self-gratification, which creates obstacles in their ability to realize love.
The success of the Broadway production led to a U.S. national tour of the play in 1952-1953, starring Rosalind Russell and later Joan Bennett. The play also had a successful run at London's Phoenix Theatre in the West End from 1954 to 1955, with minor changes to the setting and character names.
"Bell, Book and Candle" has had a lasting impact, with its themes and characters influencing popular culture. The name of Gillian's cat, Pyewacket, for example, became popular for cats during the witch-hunt craze, as depicted in a 1647 woodcut. The play also served as inspiration for the popular TV series "Bewitched", showcasing the enduring appeal of Van Druten's witty and romantic portrayal of witchcraft in the modern world.
How Ice Affects a Burning Candle
You may want to see also
Explore related products
TV series Bewitched inspiration
The American fantasy sitcom television series *Bewitched* was inspired by two sources. The first was the 1942 film *I Married a Witch*, developed from Thorne Smith's unfinished novel *The Passionate Witch*. The second was the John Van Druten Broadway play *Bell, Book and Candle*, which was adapted into a film in 1958.
The 1958 film version of *Bell, Book and Candle* starred Kim Novak as Gillian Holroyd, a modern witch who uses a love spell on her neighbour, publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart), only to fall in love with him herself. In *Bewitched*, Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) is a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man, Darrin Stephens (Dick York), and vows to lead the life of a typical suburban housewife.
Both *I Married a Witch* and *Bell, Book and Candle* centre on a witch who falls in love with an ordinary man. The witch in *Bell, Book and Candle* is even named Gillian, like the witch in *I Married a Witch*. These similarities suggest that the film and play *Bell, Book and Candle* may have been influences on Thorne Smith's novel, which was unfinished at the time of his death in 1934.
The television series *Bewitched* was created by Sol Saks and aired from 1964 to 1972. It was a popular show, finishing as the second-highest-rated show in America during its debut season and staying in the top 10 for its first three seasons. It has since inspired remakes in Japan, India, and Russia, as well as a 2005 film starring Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell.
Oil Candles: Do They Smoke?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nominations for Oscars and Golden Globes
The 1958 film Bell, Book and Candle was nominated for two Oscars and one Golden Globe. The Oscar nominations were for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White or Colour and Best Music, Original Song ("Hymn to Midnight"). The Golden Globe nomination was for Best Motion Picture – Comedy.
The film was adapted from a play of the same name by John Van Druten, which premiered on Broadway in 1950. The movie was directed by Richard Quine and starred Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule.
Novak portrays Gillian 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 (Stewart). On Christmas Eve, Shep finds himself enchanted by Gillian and her eccentric family of witches, including her aunt, Queenie (Lanchester), and her brother, Nicky (Lemmon).
The film is considered Stewart's final role as a romantic lead. It is also noted for its charming set design, replicating the streets of New York, and its fun blend of comedy, fantasy, and romance. The light-hearted portrayal of witches and warlocks adds a unique twist to the story, although some viewers have noted the surprising lack of magic and special effects. Overall, Bell, Book and Candle offers an enjoyable viewing experience, especially for fans of classic Hollywood comedies and romantic tales with a magical twist.
Candle Shopping: Where to Buy?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The shop Bell, Book and Candle is located on Main Street in Middleton.
The film Bell, Book and Candle is set in Manhattan, New York City.
The film Bell, Book and Candle was released in 1958.
The film stars Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Elsa Lanchester, Ernie Kovacs, and Janice Rule.
