Tag Archives: Old Hollywood

Witchful Thinking

Halloween is almost here and one of my favorite things to do this time of year is watch scary movies.  Though I enjoy scary films, not everybody does.  A movie doesn’t have to be frightening to be enjoyed on Halloween.  Here are two charmingly romantic films to get you in the Halloween “spirit”!

I Married a Witch (1942)I_Married_a_Witch_poster_640

Synopsis: Wallace Wooley (Fredric March) is the latest male in the Wooley line, a line cursed by Jennifer (Veronica Lake) after she and her father (Cecil Kellaway) are accused of witchcraft.  Centuries pass and Jennifer is resurrected to wreak havoc on the latest Wooley just as he is poised to win the gubernatorial seat and marry the daughter (Susan Hayward) of his chief political backer.

This was my first film featuring Veronica Lake and I loved every minute of it.  Very cleverly done for the time period in which it was made.  I can see why it made the Criterion Collection.

Bell, Book and Candle (1958)Bell Book and Candle_640

Synopsis: Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) finds herself admiring neighbor, Shep Henderson (James Stewart). With some interference from her Aunt Queenie (Elsa Lanchester), Holroyd and Henderson are forced to interact.  Queenie mentions a club to Shep called the Zodiac, where she wants Gillian to spend the evening with her. Shep later invites his fiancee, Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule), to go to the club with him and, as it turns out, Merle and Gillian are former school mates (as well as enemies).  Using her familiar, Pyewacket (the first Siamese in film), Gillian casts a love spell on Shep.  Despite her best (or worst) intentions, Gillian soon finds herself falling for Shep – a twist of fate that could spell d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r for a witch such as Gillian!

This is one of those films you’ll find yourself thinking about it long after it’s over.  A quirky little film with an all-star cast, it’s one you won’t want to overlook.