It is said that certain movies can stand the test of time—and Bell, Book and Candle is one of them. This 1958 romantic comedy-fantasy film is a cult classic that still resonates today. It is easy to see how Bell, Book, and Candle inspired the modern witch movie genre and even influenced the 1960s television series, Bewitched. Here, we’ll explore the movie’s unique plot, its all-star cast, and why it continues to be such a treasured movie.
Unlike other movies from the 1950s, Bell, Book, and Candle had a unique plot that made it stand out from the crowd. The movie follows Gillian Holroyd, an undercover witch living in Greenwich Village who falls in love with an ordinary mortal. In order to protect her secret and win the man’s heart, Gillian uses her magic to try to make him love her. The movie follows her struggles to balance her magical life and her newfound love.
Bell, Book, and Candle offered a new, fresh, modern twist to traditional witch stories. The movie’s combination of fantasy and romantic comedy was a unique blend for the time and forced audiences to believe that modern-day witches live alongside mortals. It’s a whimsical story that appeals to viewers young and old.
Bell, Book and Candle was directed by Richard Quine and starred some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Kim Novak stars as Gillian Holroyd, while James Stewart plays the object of her affections, Shep Henderson. Jack Lemmon stars as Gillian’s warlock brother and Ernie Kovacs plays the eccentric neighbor. The movie also features Elsa Lanchester as Gillian’s aunt.
Although movie producer David O. Selznick pushed for his wife, Jennifer Jones, to play the lead in Bell, Book, and Candle, Columbia Studios nixed this in favor of Kim Novak. Grace Kelly was also considered for the lead role. Gary Grant and Rex Harrison were on the short list to play the role of Shep.
The all-star cast helped make Bell, Book, and Candle a hit with audiences and critics alike. Bell, Book, and Candle was nominated for two Academy Awards in 1959. The movie was up for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Costume Design, but it did not win. Despite the lack of an Oscar win, the nominations were well-deserved, as the set and costume design of the movie add greatly to its charm and atmosphere. The movie was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards in 1959. Kim Novak was nominated for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Comedy/Musical and Jack Lemmon was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Unfortunately, neither of them won the awards that year.
Over the years, Bell, Book, and Candle has become a cult classic and helped to rewrite witch stories for the modern era. In fact, Sol Saks, the creator of the hit television series Bewitched, openly admitted that he patterned his TV show after Bell, Book, and Candle.
Bell, Book, and Candle’s unique plot that combines witchcraft, fantasy, romance, and comedy, together with its all-star cast, made the film a hit with audiences and critics alike.