Bell, Book and Candle

Lore & Background

The plot follows Gillian Holroyd, a secret witch and owner of an art store in Greenwich Village, who becomes interested in her new neighbor, publisher Shep Henderson. On Christmas Eve, after her aunt Queenie hexes Shep's telephone, Gillian uses her Siamese cat familiar, Pyewacket, to cast a love spell on him. Shep becomes enamored, breaks off his engagement to Merle Kittridge, and proposes to Gillian, who agrees to marry him despite knowing witches lose their magic if they fall in love. Gillian eventually confesses her witchcraft, and Shep, believing she enchanted him out of spite, leaves her. After drinking a potion that breaks the spell, Shep confronts Gillian, but she is now able to cry—proof she has fallen in love and lost her powers. Weeks later, Shep returns Pyewacket to Gillian, realizes she truly loves him, and they reconcile.

Reader's Guide

Bell, Book and Candle is significant as a key supernatural romantic comedy of the 1950s and as James Stewart's final film as a romantic lead. The film's depiction of witchcraft and its lighthearted tone influenced later television, notably Bewitched. The production involved a search for multiple Siamese cats to play Pyewacket, with the primary cat owned by animal trainer Frank Inn. The score by George Duning used creative techniques, including high-speed playback, to create eerie effects. The film was a blockbuster for Columbia and received promotional coverage, including a Life magazine cover featuring Kim Novak with Pyewacket. Its legacy endures through home media releases and its place in film history as a blend of romance, comedy, and supernatural elements.

Did You Know?

• The film is based on a 1950 Broadway play by John Van Druten.
• Pyewacket's name came from a 17th-century English witch trial testimony.
• As many as 12 cats were needed to perform the stunts in the film.
• The film was acknowledged as part of the inspiration for the television series Bewitched.
• Contrary to popular belief, this is not James Stewart's final romantic lead role; he later played romantic leads in 'Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation' (1962) and 'Take Her, She's Mine' (1963).