For those of you unfamiliar with Jimmy Stewart, this is one of his "lesser" films from later in his career. And, while it isn't a great film compared to many of his other pictures, it isn't bad and is a decent time-passer--but not much more.

Kim Novak is a witch in New York City and for some inexplicable reason, she decides to cast a spell on poor Jimmy to make him fall in love with her. Over time, the cold and detached Ms. Novak also begins to fall in love with Stewart--and apparently in the witch's rule book, this is a definite NO, NO!!

The film is odd in its sensibilities about the witches. They are neither the baby-sacrificing nor the all-powerful variety. Most of their magic is pretty limited and pointless (such as Jack Lemmon using his powers to turn off street lamps). And, very oddly, the witches all seem to be bohemians who hang out in hip bars where you might find people wearing berets and listening to crappy jazz. Considering what I think of jazz, it must really stink to be a witch in this movie's world!

Anyway, the film is pretty romantic and mildly comedic, but not something I would rush out to watch. The acting is pretty good, but the script doesn't offer enough payoff to make this an exceptional film- -in fact, I almost scored the film a 6--it was really close.

UPDATE: I saw this film again but on the big screen along with an interview with Miss Novak on the Turner Classic Movies cruise. I think I liked it more this time and the film is more than just a time passer. However, one annoyance I did notice--there were a lot of snow scenes and when folks came inside the fake snow didn't melt and it looked very, very fake. I blame the director for this detail...they should have brushed away the plastic snow after a few seconds instead of having it linger on and on and on!

It is very difficult to resist the mix of fantasy and comedy, which worked so well in prime-'Bewitched' for example. Have always appreciated comedy, and have always attempted to appreciate all sorts (tend not to be a fan of the crude kind though),and some of my personal favourites have fantasy elements. Also love the cast, James Stewart gave many great performances and there is a lot of talent in the cast in general.

'Bell Book and Candle' was an amusing and charming mix of fantasy and comedy and most elements come off very well. It didn't blow me away admittedly, and to me both Stewart and Novak (especially the former) were better in 'Vertigo' (a personal favourite of mine, not sure whether that is a sacriligous opinion here) and their chemistry was better in that too. But those that like comedy and fantasy individually and when mixed together should get some kind of kick out of it.

Not everything works. Would have liked a lot more magic, not literally and not in terms of effects or anything but more to do with wanting more spark. Something that could have reflected more in the chemistry between Stewart and Novak, which never quite ignites, and is at times unintentionally creepy. Much more so than in 'Vertigo', seeing as this was a much lighter film and Novak looks more her age here.

Have always really liked Stewart and always will, but somehow he never quite clicked with me here in 'Bell Book and Candle'. His performance could have done with a lighter touch and energy, this was done at a point where he was starting to take on darker and grittier roles, and have seen him look more comfortable elsewhere.

Novak fares better however, Stewart in general was the far better actor but Novak blends within the film's atmosphere more naturally. Her performance is very pleasant and charming. For me though, 'Bell Book and Candle' was the case of the supporting cast being better than the leads. Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester are sheer delights, Ernie Kovacs is a lot of fun and Jack Lemmon steals every scene he's in. As does endearing Pyewacket. It's solidly directed by Richard Quine.

The film also looks great and along with the supporting cast is one of two of 'Bell Book and Candle's' biggest virtues. Beautifully photographed and one can totally see why the stunningly effective art direction and the costumes were Oscar-nominated. The music fits beautifully, never feeling intrusive or too jaunty or melodramatic. The fantasy element is charming and the comedy is genuinely amusing (also think the comedy element fares better than the fantasy). The story is slight but it didn't feel dull to me and engaged me throughout.

In conclusion, pleasant but didn't blow me away. 7/10

It took Bell, Book, and Candle almost a decade to get from Broadway to the screen. John Van Druten's play ran for 233 performances during the 1950-1951 season and served as a starring vehicle for the then married Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer. I'm sure that the Shepherd Henderson that Harrison portrayed must have been light years different than Jimmy Stewart. Also the entire play took place in the Holroyd apartment and a whole lot of characters were added for the screen.

A good job was done in transferring this stage work for the screen, it barely betrays it's stage origin. Stewart is very good as the puzzled publisher who gets ensnared in a witch's spell because Kim Novak takes a fancy to him.

Novak was quoted as saying that her favorite leading man during her career was Jimmy Stewart and her two favorite films, Vertigo and Bell Book and Candle are the ones she did with him.

Hermione Gingold is absolutely brilliant as the head witch, Mrs. DePass, and watching Stewart drink that concoction she mixed up to kill Kim Novak's spell was a scream.

Jack Lemmon plays Novak's brother and by this time he was doing leads and carrying films on his own. He's good, but I do wonder why he accepted a supporting part here.

One thing I am curious about. How did they manage to get Pyewacket the cat to act on stage for 233 performances?