John Van Druten (1901–1957)

Light-hearted romantic comedy that sees modern day witch Gillian (Kim Novak) using her powers to seduce handsome publisher Shep Henderson (James Stewart). The path of modern witchcraft and stolen love don't run smoothly, however. Director Richard Quine delivers a colourful and charming film played out on some great sets, with some first class cinematography. James Stewart and Kim Novak are great in the leads - Stewart is all warmth and charm while Novak is icy and detached. They shouldn't show more work as a romantic pairing but they have a ton of chemistry between them. show less

Utterly charming. And still relevant, in a way. But for its time, as Sketchbook says in his (?) review, very brave. I think my favorite part was how everything just works out so beautifully and believably in the end.

The setting is simple, the plot straightforward, the dialogue intelligent but lucid, the emotional resonances rich, authentic, and natural.

The third character, Olive, is an effective stand-in for current proper sensibilities, even though she's promiscuous, because she does get show more punished for being hypocritical. She doesn't think through what she really wants out of love and sex.

That may be one of Van Druten's main themes - think for yourself, consider consequences, worry less about the neighbors and more about the people you really care about, and communicate from the heart *and* mind with those special people.

I know there's a lot more in the play that I'm not getting because I'm not experienced or knowledgeable about the era, or plays. For example it's interesting that our heroine (an actress) is practicing The Potion Scene from Romeo and Juliet." Hmm...

But even though I'm sure there's more to get, I surely did enjoy what I did." show less

Funny, witty, and touching. The play, though eclipsed by Cabaret, is very much as relevant as ever.

A witch puts her neighbor under a love spell.

2.5/4 (Okay).

It completely fails as a romance, but it's pleasant enough as a comedy.