Kim Novak, the "Lavender Lady", trades in her purple chiffon for witchy black in this glossy--but not very crafty--witchcraft comedy. James Stewart is Novak's new neighbor and, unaware of her powers, gets lured into her trap...but can he teach her what true love is really about? Jack Lemmon has the brightest moments as a happy-go-lucky warlock, but there's really no character there; Lemmon gets laughs strictly by winging it. "Vertigo" co-stars Novak and Stewart have a terrible time trying to create chemistry. Some smoldering smoke arises, but no real sparks. When the stars have to try this hard, the effort is noticeable and the picture falls down around them like an expensive soufflé. **1/2 from ****
Review of Bell Book and Candle
