Witches, Warlocks, and Jimmy Stewart

 

I realized I wouldn't be getting to "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) during the Christmas season (although, I don't know that this season doesn't go to New Year's Eve or not for some people), I considered maybe trying it out Saturday afternoon late on the 26th. But when the clock struck Midnight, I wasn't sure what my first film would be "post Christmas Day". I haven't shaken Christmas off (nor do I want to, really; it wasn't a bad month until my mother and stepfather got Covid and are both sick), so I was sort of considering what to watch after a cardio workout. I recorded Bell, Book and Candle (1958) off Turner Classics December 23rd because I hadn't watched it again since December 14th of last year. I wrote a review about the film, though views on my blog were fairly abysmal during that month, so I can only hope that years of the blog in the void will help summon eyes interested even when I long gone from this mortal coil.

I read that Stewart knew that this was it as a leading man in a romantic part for film. He turned 50 while in  Bell, Book and Candle  and felt he was miscast, from what I've read. Kim Novac wanted to work with him again. They were magic together, considering this and one of the greatest films ever made, "Vertigo" were in the same year. When you watch "Vertigo", it is obviously the work of a master with incredible talent and a story of impeccable quality. So I guess "Bell, Book and Candle" is that "other film" with Novac and Stewart that sort of has to sneak up on you...much like Pyewacket in Stewart's book publishing office. I can see why Stewart probably felt obligated to step away from the romantic lead. He was clearly the middle-aged publisher probably fitting to audiences for the father of a family on television than the older man a younger stunning blonde might be attracted to and wish to pursue despite his engagement to a college rival of hers (Janice Rule; she was in a ton of television at the time; she's absolutely stunning in a green cocktail dress). I am guessing audiences of today (although there are plenty of young women who are attracted to older men, many still consider that age gap romance a bit icky) would be a bit bothered by the 25 year age difference...hell, Stewart was.

With all that said, I thoroughly enjoy Stewart in this film. I can't actually picture the film without him. Granted, Novac is why I really watch it. I think I'm disappointed in the ending, where she gives up her life as a witch in favor for an ordinary life, opting instead to sell Hobby Lobby items instead of occult statues and the like. Instead of her striking black and red wardrobes which are very sexy and alluring she gains emotions and falls in love with a middle-aged publisher, deciding to instead change her style to white and yellow dresses that flow instead of accentuate her figure. I guess I think changing who you are so that you can be "ordinary", the plot development by the end might be considered disappointing by many perhaps feeling that the message is Novac must compromise in order to have love. Why not be a witch and still have love, a life with a publisher, but hang out at cool dives like the Zodiac Club where the color scheme, music, and style are attractive, active, and peculiar? The film sets up rules where those involved in witchcraft can't "feel", show much emotion, and have a life that isn't isolating. Novac having to use a spell to gain the total devotion of Stewart with use of her cat as her familiar gives the film an intriguing hook, I felt. You had to know that wouldn't be sustainable...at some point she couldn't keep the secret or want to deceive Stewart who was crazy about her thanks to a magical manipulation.

What a blast of a cast, too. Jack Lemmon, who I just watched in "The Apartment" a few days ago and also fell in love with again, as the warlock who cuts off traffic lights and wants to impress a novelist who is a phony claiming he can spot a witch or warlock a mile away despite being in the room with three and not having a clue (Ernie Kovacs, who I thought was a real treat; so disheveled and clueless despite being sure of himself, quite perplexed at why his book, with Lemmon's help later, is rejected by a hoodwinked Stewart, yet another spell lodged by Novac), is a hoot as is scene-stealing Lanchester as a witch who sneaks into Stewart's hotel room, causes folks on the other end of his phone to "speak in garbled gibberish" after he frustrates her (well, she was in his apartment illegally!), plays a heavy role in trying to hook Novac and Stewart up (mainly for kicks), and remains her always beautifully eccentric self. I just watched Lanchester in "The Bishop's Wife" during my long Christmas Classics binge and how she's all googly-eyed for Cary Grant's angel remained a running gag I truly relished. She always leaves an impression. Yes, I'm admittedly biased due to my love of horror and her special place in it. So you have all these personalities in it, how could I not love this movie?