I Married a Witch (1942)

Director:

René Clair

Writers:

Thorne Smith (story)
Norman Matson (story)

Release Date:

30 October 1942 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Romance

Tagline:

She's a witch (and we do mean witch) who gets what she wants with hex appeal!

Plot:

A beautiful 17th-century witch returns to life to plague politician Wallace Wooley, descendant of her persecutor.

Plot Keywords:

Witch | Wedding | Puritan | Potion | Hospital

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Fredric March	...	Jonathan Wooley / Nathaniel Wooley / Samuel Wooley / Wallace Wooley
Veronica Lake	...	Jennifer
Robert Benchley	...	Dr. Dudley White
Susan Hayward	...	Estelle Masterson
Cecil Kellaway	...	Daniel
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Margaret
Robert Warwick	...	J.B. Masterson

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:U (re-rating) (2006) | West Germany:16 (nf) | Germany:6 (re-rating) | Finland:S | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #8351) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

Rene Clair Productions

Trivia:

The biggest misconception about this movie is that it is the basis for "Bewitched" (1964). It's completely untrue. The only thing the two have in common is a witch marrying a mortal. Darren's ancestors have nothing to do with Samantha or her ancestors. The only member of Jennifer's family we meet is her father, nor are we exposed to any other witches or warlocks. Samantha doesn't lose her powers because she falls in love.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film opens with a scene of Puritans in the Massachusetts colony burning witches. No-one was ever burned for witchcraft in America. The accused witches of Salem, Massachusetts, and its environs were hanged, with the exception of Giles Corey, who was pressed to death with rocks.

Quotes:

Daniel: Goodbye, Jennifer, be a bad girl.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Monsterama Sci-Fi Late Night Creature Feature Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)

Soundtrack:

The Battle Cry of Freedom

Superior light comedy

Pleasing comedy fantasy. There are some moments where watching Lake perform is really nice -- I love the bitchy look and how she puts her arms out when she slams the door with her magic in anger. Lake plays a witch who accidentally casts a love spell on herself, and therfore ends up domesticating herself and adopting moral attitudes her warlock father is opposed to. Fun and slightly meaningful in the Sturges mold.