Stewart is very sweet and likeable as the buttoned-down publisher, but this is Kim Novak's movie all the way. She's adorably and seductively mysterious, with her velvety voice, haunting gazes, and stunning wardrobe of red and black. There is no silly hocus-pocus or levitating of objects; they aren't necessary. We believe Gillian is a witch from the start, and her desire to be vulnerable is touching. Novak and Stewart teamed up romantically in another movie that year, "Vertigo," and they look just great together. This is a lightweight fantasy (shades of "Bewitched") with beautiful stars, a sweet romance, and a remarkably talented Siamese cat!

Don't watch the end
Review date: 2003-05-11 Rating: 6 out of 10

For me, this was a diverting little film with some gorgeous images: picture Novak in voluptuous black holding Pyewacket up to her face, her mouth pressed lightly against the short fur on top of his head, her luminous eyes casting a spell. I enjoyed the supporting cast and the light humor.

However, the film's wings are clipped by the deadening 50s image of The Way Things Ought To Be. The film is a morality play about the horrors of being different and the bland happiness to be gained by renouncing your individual talents and fitting in. The film foreshadows the ending by having her make sad little comments about the difficulties of being so different, but they don't fit with her character at all; they seem to come from an outside voice saying, "This is what she should really be thinking and feeling," even though it totally contrasts with everything we know about her personality.

Novak was rather wonderful, but Stewart was an utterly unconvincing example of the sort of person she would fall for. He was dumb, sappy, and shallow. At the end, she gives up all her witchcraft, stops wearing sexy black outfits, gives away her cat (evil symbol of an independent mind!), and waits unhappily in her shop, attired in a pretty pastel shirtwaist, until Stewart returns to her. All her magic and enchantment, and certainly all her power, are gone. If Stewart's character fell for the enchantress in her, I think he must have been very disappointed to end up with Betty Crocker.

A quirky gem!!!...
Review date: 2002-12-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

If you viewed the Hitchcock Masterpiece Vertigo, then you should wish to see the teaming again of the stunningly beautiful Novak and Stewart in this tale of witches in Manhattan. Stewart is the henpecked fiance of the socialite that used to be a college roomate of Novak. Now Stewart is Novak's tenant, who does not suspect he is surrounded by witches. The whole cast is perfection with a very young Jack Lemmon playing her younger witch brother. Kim is GORGEOUS!!

Great fun!! A nice contrast to the heavy melodrama of Vertigo.

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