In I Married a Witch Veronica Lake plays the most beautiful witch ever portrayed in a Hollywood film. her signature peek-a-boo hairstyle is firmly in place as she torments Frederic march with one sorceress spell after another.
The opening of the film takes place in the 1600's. Puritan Johnathan Wooley, after a romp in the hayloft, has denounced Jennifer (Veronica Lake) and her father Daniel (Cecil Kellaway) as witches. They are guilty of turning the cows pink and making the sheep dance the minuet, among other things. For their punishment they are burned at the stake. before they are burned Jennifer hexes Johnathan with a curse; that he and all his offspring will marry poorly. To ensure the witches spirits don't escape for more mischief an oak tree is planted over the ashes to contain their spiritual forms.
The film continues with short clips showing the Wooley male decedents (all played by March) married to shrewish, nagging wives. The clips end at 1942 where we meet Wallace Wooley. he is holding a party at his New England estate. It is the eve before election day and Wallace is running for Governor. He is also getting married the next day to the ambitious and controlling Estelle (Susan Hayward). During a storm a lightning bolt strikes the old tree and lets loose the witches spirit, just in time for the party.
Screwball comedy mayhem commences as the two witches cause havoc on Wallace's life, his wedding and the election. But when Jennifer accidentally drinks a love potion meant for Wallace things really get complicated.
The movie is a precursor and inspiration for the TV series Bewitched. It was based on a novel by Thorne Smith who also created the popular fantasy fiction Topper. The film was directed by Rene Clair who also directed the popular Agatha Christie film And Then There Were None.
The movie was made by Paramount but sold to United Artist for distribution. The UA film library has changed hands multiple times over the years. The film was last released to home video on VHS, in 1990, by Warner Bros.. There has not been a DVD release of this film.
I Married a Witch is a comic, screwball confection. A perfectly whimsical movie for Halloween viewing.
At The Movie House rating *** stars.
Other films of interest:
Bell, Book and Candle
Topper
Blithe Spirit
Here Comes Mr. Jordan
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Angel On My Shoulder
No comments:
Post a Comment