Bell, Book and Candle

Director: Richard Quine Richard Quine

Overview

"Bell, Book and Candle gets a fair DVD reissue from Columbia TriStar Home Video that doesn't offer any additional features to fans of this ""nonconformists as witches"" movie. Thankfully, all the technical aspects of the DVD edition of this late-'50s romantic comedy are fine. The movie is returned to its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio in a clean anamorphic widescreen transfer, and the audio track is well balanced in a Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono mix. Besides Jack Lemmon's sly comic supporting performance, the movie's best asset is James Wong Howe's lush widescreen camera work, which is presented beautifully on this DVD. Perhaps a future DVD release of the movie could contain a documentary featurette that charts the continued cult interest in Bell, Book and Candle."

Product Details

Release Date:	03/28/2000
UPC:	0043396013292
Original Release:	1958
Rating:	NR
Source:	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMT
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame, Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:43:00
Sales rank:	13,369

Special Features

Digitally Remastered Audio & Anamorphic Video; Production Notes; Interactive Menus; Audio: English (Mono) Spanish (Mono); Subtitles: English, Spanish; Vintage Advertising; Talent Files; Theatrical Trailer; Bonus Trailers; Scene Selections

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

James Stewart	Shepherd 'Shep' Henderson
Kim Novak	Gillian 'Gil' Holroyd
Jack Lemmon	Nicky Holroyd
Ernie Kovacs	Sidney Redlitch
Hermione Gingold	Bianca de Passe
Elsa Lanchester	Queenie
Janice Rule	Merle Kittridge
Philippe Clay	French Singer
Bek Nelson	Secretary
Howard McNear	Andy White
Wolfe Barzell	Proprietor
Joe Barry	Exterminator
Gail Bonney	Merle's Maid
Monty Ash	Herb Store Owner
Don Brodie	Cab Driver
James Lanphier	Waldo
Ollie O'Toole	Elevator Operator
John Truax	Cab Driver
George Duning	Composer

Technical Credits

Daniel Taradash

Richard Quine	Director
Daniel Taradash	Screenwriter
Julian Blaustein	Producer
Charles Nelson	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

The attitudes in this comic fantasy are very much those of a 1950s establishment mindset: Kim Novak's character loses her supernatural powers when she falls in love, and she doesn't mind losing her wiles if it means marriage and a placid domestic life with beau James Stewart. Nonetheless, the film has excellent production values, charismatic performances, and sprightly dialogue. It represented a change of pace for Novak and Stewart after their previous teaming, earlier that year, in the decidedly non-comic Vertigo. Much of the film's strength comes from their screen chemistry, though some of the witty sophistication of John Van Druten's stage play is lost in the translation to the big screen. Supporting performers Ernie Kovacs and Jack Lemmon have fine moments, as does Hermione Gingold.