Bell, Book and Candle

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Robert S It isn't just about witchcraft; it pertains to any "oddness" in personality or behavior, like Autism, e.g., and the conflict with "normalness" and the decisions that have to be made. Wonderful! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/24 Full Review Orin R You just can't take your eyes off her! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/30/24 Full Review Audience Member A really good one here with James Stewart and Kim Novak. Yes I recommend this one James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas September 22, 2023. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/22/23 Full Review Matthew D Mesmerizing cat eyes and magic spellcasting with a cute romance! Director Richard Quine's fantasy romantic comedy Bell, Book, and Candle (1958) is wonderful. I particularly found Kim Novak's forlorn witch spellbinding. Her beauty and elegance charm with a performance that is equally enchanting and moving. Quine's direction captures the imagination with cool witch hexes, cute cat shots, and sweet romantic gestures. Original writer John Van Druten's story is fantastic with a bored witch falling in love with a human man. I appreciate how the story wants them together under normal tenderness and affection without the lover's spell being cast still on James Stewart's bumbling lover. The empathy writer Daniel Taradash gives to Kim Novak's witch heroine Gil is wonderful. James Stewart is excellent as the non-believer book publisher Shep Henderson. He's a nice love interest for Novak because he plays the spellbound lover a bit well. Jack Lemmon is funny as the bongo playing nightclub warlock Nicky Holroyd. Him turning out street lights and putting on a sinister grin is fun. Ernie Kovacs is fascinating as the author Sidney Redlitch, who is interested in witches and warlocks in New York. Kim Novak is gorgeous and endearing as the lovable, lonely witch Gil Holroyd. Her petting the adorable cat Pyewacket and yearning for James Stewart with her cat eyes is enchanting. Novak can play the alluring femme fatale, the playful flirt, and the devastating depressed woman seeking excitement and love in life. Elsa Lanchester is a scream with her zealous giggle and constant meddling as the naughty witch Aunt Queenie Holroyd. Janice Rule plays the stern busybody girlfriend of Stewart's named Merle Kittridge. She plays mean well. Hermione Gingold is great as the older witch gossip Bianca De Pass. Editor Charles Nelson has these smooth cuts to keep you engaged within scenes and creates a brisk pace. 106 minutes passed by like 20 for me. Cinematographer James Wong Howe shoots with startlingly smooth and refined panning shots. His close-up shots of Kim Novak and Pyewacket's eyes are mesmerizing. Cary Odell's art direction creates a cozy home and seedy jazz nightclub with wondrous magic spell effects. The green flame, light dousing, and eyeball focus shots are neat. Set decorator Louis Diage's set decoration is miraculous as I wish I could live in Novak's apartment slash witch artifact shop. Composer George Duning's film score is dreamy with romantic melodies and stunning orchestration. I really loved the romance theme and the cool spells. Costume designer Jean Louis crafted dazzling backless gowns, leopard shawls, black leather gloves fitted for Kim Novak's voluptuous figure. I think Bell, Book, and Candle has some of the prettiest outfits in Old Hollywood pictures. In all, Bell, Book, and Candle is marvelous with resplendent effects, cute cat, quirky parrot, amusing humor, cool witchcraft, compelling acting, sterling direction, and an intriguing romance. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/07/23 Full Review Farah R Bell, Book, and Candle is a funny and pleasant romantic comedy owing to Jimmy Stewart, Kim Novak, and Jack Lemon's performances. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/20/23 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Movie's tone is all wrong, It's kinda dark, and mean spirited, With a creepy vibe most of the way, I liked the ending , But the characters weren't that empathetic. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Bell, Book and Candle

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