Hey, who's to say what magic is? Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) uses a little heart of toad, white vinegar and swallow's liver to cast a mesmerizing spell on Shep Henderson (James Stewart) and it doesn't take him much to dump long time fiancé Merle Kittridge (Janice Rule). He didn't even seem all that conflicted about it; it must have been that white vinegar part of the potion.
The story and the movie itself take place during the country's Beat Generation period, with Novak's character exemplifying the elements that came to be symbolic of the era - a rejection of standard narrative values and a spiritual quest that takes the form of witchcraft. That scene when she channeled the Siamese Pyewacket's energy to the unsuspecting Shep Henderson was almost creepy if you think about it. But it seemed like most of the players here were handling things with tongue in cheek and getting the most they could out of the witchy/warlock theme without getting too serious about it all.
The supporting players here are an eclectic bunch. Elsa Lanchester was a sketch as Aunt Queenie and Jack Lemmon was totally in synch with his character as Gillian's warlock brother. The first time I ever ran across Hermione Gingold had to be on some variety show or other during the Fifties and I got the biggest kick out of that name. I couldn't imagine who would ever come up with a moniker like that, the fact that it was a real live person just fascinated me.
Take away the magic spells and potions and this is a rather typical love story in most respects, playing off Gillian's early musing that "I'd like to meet someone different". Once the story gets going, it's actually the other way around, as Stewart's character winds up meeting all kinds of different folks, of both the magical and non-magical type alike. I thought the presence of the crystal ball in Mrs. DiPasse's (Gingold) parlor was kind of an interesting touch, lending the picture a little bit of that 'wonderful life' quality to it.
The story and the movie itself take place during the country's Beat Generation period, with Novak's character exemplifying the elements that came to be symbolic of the era - a rejection of standard narrative values and a spiritual quest that takes the form of witchcraft. That scene when she channeled the Siamese Pyewacket's energy to the unsuspecting Shep Henderson was almost creepy if you think about it. But it seemed like most of the players here were handling things with tongue in cheek and getting the most they could out of the witchy/warlock theme without getting too serious about it all.
The supporting players here are an eclectic bunch. Elsa Lanchester was a sketch as Aunt Queenie and Jack Lemmon was totally in synch with his character as Gillian's warlock brother. The first time I ever ran across Hermione Gingold had to be on some variety show or other during the Fifties and I got the biggest kick out of that name. I couldn't imagine who would ever come up with a moniker like that, the fact that it was a real live person just fascinated me.
Take away the magic spells and potions and this is a rather typical love story in most respects, playing off Gillian's early musing that "I'd like to meet someone different". Once the story gets going, it's actually the other way around, as Stewart's character winds up meeting all kinds of different folks, of both the magical and non-magical type alike. I thought the presence of the crystal ball in Mrs. DiPasse's (Gingold) parlor was kind of an interesting touch, lending the picture a little bit of that 'wonderful life' quality to it.