Bell, Book And Candle

10:04 AM

One of the things I have added to my personal goals list is to watch a movie a week and last week when I was at Target I found two really cheap movies that I had never seen but I have always wanted to. So last Sunday, after I trudged through hours of homework, Kyle and I plopped our butts on the couch and watched Bell, Book and Candle.

Shepard "Shep" Henderson is a publisher and an ordinary enough man, ordinary enough to catch New Yorker Gil Holroyd's attention. Why would an ordinary guy catch the attention of a beautiful, barefoot owner of an exotic goods shop? Because ordinary is the opposite of Gil, she belongs to a clique of people who are equiped with special talents, and frequent The Zodiac, a dive of a nightclub where they can share their talents with one another. They are Witches, and Gil is among those who are the strongest in this group, and her closest companions, her Aunt Queenie and Brother Nicky, admire her powers and strength.

When Gil learns that Shep is engaged to her college nemesis, Merle Kitteridge, she proceeds to cast a spell on Shep, with the assistance of her familair cat Pyewacket, convincing him to fall in love with her. The next two weeks are a whirlwind of events, with Sidny Redlitch, a known author on a mission to expose the Witches of New York and Nicky's alliance with him, Shep's undying devotion, and Gil's contemplation of giving up her craft for marriage. The catch? Witches cannot fall in love. Gil tries her best to reveal the truth to Shep, and in the process drives him away, making him second-guess his feelings for her and his proposal of marriage. Gil, in frantic desecration attempts to cast spells on Shep and Merle to spite him, but is unable to coax Pyewacket to come to her. Gil is distraught over the loss of both the loss of her familiar and her lover the loss of her craft, and the discovery that she really is in love with Shep. When Shep sees her again months later, it is the predictable love-at-first-sight round two, and asks "Who's to say what magic really is anyway?" and the two que the credits with the final kiss of passion and promise that everyone is happy.


Shep Henderson is played by favorite classic hHollywoodactor, the adorable Jimmy Stewart. Mr. Stewart keeps the audience charmed with his iconic smile and goofy facial expressions, which play along nicely next to the beautiful and sincere Kim Novak.



I was pleased to discover another one of my favorite actors of that time also starred next to this dynamic duo, Jack Lemmon played the perfect rebel Nicky with his screw-ball comedy  antics. 



Needless to say, I really enjoyed this movie. The only set-back that Kyle had was that the theme of the movie clashed with the Christmas setting. According to Kyle the Christmas setting should have been omitted but I think it was used to further enhance the oddity of the witches so it did not bother me too much.


I really enjoy having a movie to end the weekend with and I would really like to make this a regular thing, so lets hope my insane workload permits it this week :D


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13 Musings

  1. AnonymousOctober 6, 2010 at 10:07 AM

    Never saw that one but it looks good. Novak and Stewart were dynamite in Vertigo.

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  2. the Citizen RosebudOctober 6, 2010 at 10:31 AM

    I LOVED that movie as a kid. It played on tv one day, and I loved it so much, I started crying when it was done. So my pops, ever the supporter of my movie love, turned me onto Bewitched which was inspired by this bewitching film. Ah.

    Some other classics for your consideration: The Third Man, Out of the Past, Laura (all are film Noir) for a movie night.

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  3. Cafe FashionistaOctober 6, 2010 at 1:22 PM

    Ooh, this movie sounds like fun! I will definitely have to check it out soon! I have recently created a similar goal for myself - only I am to watch at least one episode of a TV show I love (I have DVD sets) each day, just to relax and unwind. We are totes on the same wave-length!! :P

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  4. AnonymousOctober 6, 2010 at 1:32 PM

    They just don't make them like that anymore. Very cool movie and the cat is a scene stealer.

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  5. ellieOctober 6, 2010 at 1:55 PM

    Loved your review. Some great pics from the movie too.

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  6. lucy and sarahOctober 6, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    a great time of year to watch this movie.

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  7. ivy's closetOctober 6, 2010 at 4:31 PM

    I think I saw this a long time ago with my Mom. I think I'd appreciate it now ..more.

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  8. nyngaOctober 6, 2010 at 6:36 PM

    Sounds like a good movie! I believe I've heard of it... Should probably check it out myself. Awesome review!

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  9. stylenuggetsOctober 6, 2010 at 7:11 PM

    I've been buying old movies too! I love to immerse myself in them and the era they were made in. Must look out for this one.

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  10. Kallie, Happy Honey and LarkOctober 6, 2010 at 9:06 PM

    added to the netflix queue! i left you an award at my blog. hope you have a moment to check it out!

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  11. KellieOctober 7, 2010 at 2:44 AM

    I've never seen this before, so I'm adding it to my to-watch list! It sounds really good!
    Good luck with your movie watching goal, I can't wait to see what other films you find! :)

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  12. FrancyOctober 7, 2010 at 8:54 PM

    I love this movie! Kim Novak and Jimmy always had great chemistry!

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  13. Jenarcissist @ the closet narcissistOctober 25, 2010 at 4:36 PM

    I loved them in Vertigo!! I had never heard of this movie but am excited to see it. I just added it into my Netflix queue; too bad it's not on instant. :( Thanks for the recommendation! Anything with a Siamese kitty HAS to be good!

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Talk nerdy to me.