Title: Bell Book and Candle
Year: 1958
Director: Richard Quine
Country: US
Language: English
In 1958, Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart starred in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. It was a critical and commercial success, and its popularity endures as time goes on. In 2012 it was #1 in Sight and Sound's poll of 100 Greatest Films. Did you know that Novak and Stewart starred in another film together in 1958? I didn't! It's a romantic comedy called Bell Book and Candle.
A modern-day witch (Kim Novak) likes her neighbor (Jimmy Stewart) but despises his fiancée, so she enchants him to love her instead.
Bell Book and Candle's strength lies in the incredible onscreen chemistry between Stewart and Novak. Stewart is charming, Novak is alluring, and together their connection is palpable. Despite a narrative about witches casting spells, their romance feels grounded and believable.
The film's production design and cinematography also standout. The story may have a timeless appeal, but the aesthetic is undeniably 50's. The vibrant colours and stylish background give Bell Book and Candle a now retro flavour that will make audiences nostalgic.
The writing is superb; balancing humor with melodrama and romance. Few films depict the vulnerability of falling in love quite like Bell Book and Candle. This is quite a magical gem that audiences of any age ought to see.
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