Bell, Book and Candle
Director: Richard Quine
Year Released: 1958
Rating: 2.0
Facile comedy with Kim Novak and James Stewart released the same year as Vertigo but light years from that picture; here, she's a witch who can make people do what she wants – with the help of a mind-reading cat and some kooky friends – but if she is truly omnipotent why can't she make the film move faster? Stewart, in an inferior role, tries to play along, but Novak never bothers to make her character intriguing, using her stare and wispy voice instead of actually acting. In all fairness, neither is truly to blame, considering that the novelty of the story wears off quickly, leaving a feeling of indifference.
