The summary line only applies to the film, however.

This movie was intended by the studio for Joel McCrea. After making Sullivan's Travels, McCrea informed the top brass that he could not make another film with Veronica Lake. The role instead went to Fredric March, who declared "I Married a Witch" the most horrendous experience he'd ever had. It should be added that McCrea did work with Lake again 5 years later, after he had time to heal.

I have no idea why these actors had problems with this tiny, beautiful woman. "I Married a Witch" is a delightful light comedy which I suppose is the basis for "Bewitched." Apparently these Salem witches cursed an entire family so that they would be unlucky in love, and the movie quickly takes us through the generations of miserable men (all March in assorted wigs) until it gets to the present when March, a gubernatorial candidate, is set to marry a human witch (Susan Hayward). When lightning strikes a tree which was grown over the ashes of burned witches, Lake and her father escape. She takes human form and March "saves" her from a fire (that her father started). Then she mistakenly drinks a potion intended for him, and the situation really takes off.

Lake was 23 when this film was made; March was 45, and McCrea, had he made the movie, was 37. The very dignified March made a great politician, as the character in this film is - but he comes off as too old to be marrying Hayward or getting involved with Lake. Yes, we all know it happens. But this type of film was not March's métier. Eight years younger and ever boyish, of course, McCrea was more suited to the role in looks and acting.

My favorite scene is the botched wedding in which the soprano has to sing the beginning of "I Love You Truly" over and over as Susan Hayward becomes increasingly outraged. It's a young Hayward, but all the feistiness and strength is apparent.

Cecil Kellaway is Lake's father, and he gives a fine performance. Although her costars may not have agreed, I found Lake funny and beautiful in this movie, and it's a shame the last years of her life were spent as they were. She had a lovely screen presence.

Veronica Lake and Cecil Kellaway are witches who have been sealed up in a tree for about 300 years. They are NOT nice witches and are thrilled when a bolt of lightning shatters the tree and releases them to do evil! The first thing they want to do is destroy the descendants of the man who persecuted them during the witch trials. His most direct descendant is Frederick March and he is about to marry the woman he loves. So, Veronica plans on meeting him and placing a love potion in his drink so he becomes attracted to her instead--with the intention of then dumping him and leaving him miserable. Of course, being a comedy, she accidentally drinks the potion and falls head over heels for March! The acting is excellent (particularly Kellaway who is uncharacteristically EVIL in this movie) and the writing superb in the short little picture.

Being someone who likes Fredric March and has liked to loved most of what has been seen of director Rene Clair's work (especially 'And Then There Were None', one of the best versions of that masterpiece of literature),'I Married a Witch' appealed. As well as that it was a film merging comedy and fantasy, always a good mix when well executed, and has an interesting concept, a talented cast and to see Veronica Lake escape from her typecast image as a sensual femme fatale.

'I Married a Witch' was an utterly bewitching film, with genuinely very amusing moments and an enchanting atmosphere, and Lake breaks away from her typecasting with utter conviction. Clair also comes off well in for me one of his better films and the hatred for each other that Lake and March had behind the scenes does not show on screen, which is pretty amazing really considering how bad the hatred was. Pretty much everything is done right.

Apart from the odd moment of over-silliness and some less than special effects.

Lake is truly beguiling though. There is still that sultriness that made her so memorable in her usual roles but she really sparkles in her comic timing without overplaying and never comes over as cold, charming really actually. March doesn't take things too seriously, to me he did look comfortable and was in keeping with the light-hearted feel of the story (do prefer him in drama though). Despite their animosity, to me he and Lake worked well together. Robert Benchley is a hoot in his role, but the best supporting performances belong to Cecil Kellaway, sinister and lots of fun, and a wonderfully snotty Susan Hayward. Clair's direction is accomplished.

While the effects do not always have the wow factor, 'I Married a Witch' does look good on the whole. Very stylishly and atmospherically photographed and the sets have a sense of wonder. Roy Webb's score is both moody and whimsical.

The script sparkles in its wit, its light-hearted charm is never lost and the whimsy does not get sugary. The story doesn't ever get dull or tries to do too much, the mix of comedy and fantasy gel beautifully and both elements are handled beautifully throughout, making the film very funny and amiable. Don't expect the film to be logical as that is not what it is about, reading the plot synopsis before watching is indicative enough of not expecting too much.

All in all, found myself bewitched watching 'I Married a Witch'. 9/10