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Bell, Book And Candle
1958
Great cast in supernatural romantic comedy. When urban witch Novak casts a spell on Stewart to lure him away from a snooty former schoolmate, she finds the spell rebounding due to the intercession of a more powerful witch (Gingold). Lemmon and comic genius Kovacs add lots of laughs. Academy Award Nominations: 2. Read more
| Starring | James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Quine |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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The play on which this spoof of witchcraft films such as Rosemary's Baby is based was a theatre hit for the elegant pairing of Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer. Although James Stewart and Kim Novak — reunited from the same year's Vertigo — are pleasant enough in this screen version, they are left struggling in a lush but charmless adaptation sadly lacking the right witches' brew. Novak was director Richard Quine's muse (and lover), but both did better work apart, particularly Quine, who also paired this film's co-stars Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs to far better effect in Operation Mad Ball. Still, the Oscar-nominated art direction/set decoration is strikingly effective, there's a fine performance from Pyewacket the cat, and rival witches Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester are good fun.
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A gossamer stage comedy has been fatally flattened in translation; most of the actors are miscast, and sentiment soaks the script. But it remains a civilized entertainment.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Jimmy Stewart and co are excellent in this classic movie which is a love story with a magical twist. My wife and I have seen this film many times and it simply... more
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Harmless Fun
Good, harmless family viewing.
I only rented the film as it starred James Stewart, but was nevertheless happy with the overall result. It's not a... more -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
not a typical James Stewart movie but very entertaining and the reason why you admire and love the actor
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Harmless Fun
Good, harmless family viewing.
I only rented the film as it starred James Stewart, but was nevertheless happy with the overall result. It's not a... more -
Good acting as you would expect from such a good cast with an unusual plot. I have seen this film before but still find it funny.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Jimmy Stewart and co are excellent in this classic movie which is a love story with a magical twist. My wife and I have seen this film many times and it simply... more
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Harmless Fun
Good, harmless family viewing.
I only rented the film as it starred James Stewart, but was nevertheless happy with the overall result. It's not a... more -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
not a typical James Stewart movie but very entertaining and the reason why you admire and love the actor
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Good acting as you would expect from such a good cast with an unusual plot. I have seen this film before but still find it funny.
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a real pleasure
A pleasure to watch, mostly for the wonderful quality of Kim Novak's voice! The story itself was a bit thin, but overall good fun.
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briliant!
a must see for all kim novak or james stuart fans..i loved this film from start to finish...
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Is Kim Novak the most gorgeous woman ever...?
This movie was showing on the TV's at my gym on a Saturday afternoon. It was simply something to watch while sweating... But then I got caught up in the ... more
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0 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Fairly poor
Not the best James Stewart film by a long shot. Nor was Jack Lemon up to much. But neither can be blamed for what is essentially a terribly lousy script.
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Critics' reviews (2)
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The play on which this spoof of witchcraft films such as Rosemary's Baby is based was a theatre hit for the elegant pairing of Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer. Although James Stewart and Kim Novak — reunited from the same year's Vertigo — are pleasant enough in this screen version, they are left struggling in a lush but charmless adaptation sadly lacking the right witches' brew. Novak was director Richard Quine's muse (and lover), but both did better work apart, particularly Quine, who also paired this film's co-stars Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs to far better effect in Operation Mad Ball. Still, the Oscar-nominated art direction/set decoration is strikingly effective, there's a fine performance from Pyewacket the cat, and rival witches Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester are good fun.
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A gossamer stage comedy has been fatally flattened in translation; most of the actors are miscast, and sentiment soaks the script. But it remains a civilized entertainment.
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- Bell, Book And Candle
- DVD: £5.43
Free Delivery - RRP £12.79 (you save: 58%)
Great cast in supernatural romantic comedy. When urban witch Novak casts a spell on Stewart to lure him away from a snooty former schoolmate, she finds the spell rebounding due to the intercession of ... -
90% from 4 members
61.2% from 27 members
