This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 160! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey friends,
So, you know how I’ve got this massive soft spot for anything that remotely smells of old Hollywood glamour and cheeky, supernatural shenanigans? Well, I stumbled upon this gem called “I Married a Witch” from way back in 1942, directed by the French maestro, René Clair, and let me just say, it was a hoot and a half!
The story kicks off with this witch, Jennifer (played by the absolutely radiant Veronica Lake), and her dad getting burned at the stake in the 17th century Salem, throwing curses left and right at their executioner, only to be reborn centuries later to torment the descendant of their accuser. The catch? Jennifer ends up falling head over broomstick (yeah, I went there) for the latest male in the line, Wallace Wooley, portrayed by the charming Fredric March.
Now, you’ve got to picture this: Veronica Lake, with her peek-a-boo hairstyle and those eyes that could probably convince even the most skeptic among us that, yes, magic is real, absolutely steals the show. And Fredric March? He’s this blend of bewildered innocence and gentlemanly charm that you can’t help but root for, even when he’s getting all tangled up in Jennifer’s enchantments.
What follows is a hilarious battle of wills between Jennifer, determined to make Wallace’s life miserable, and Wallace, well, Wallace-ing all over the place (by Wallace-ing, I mean being very uptight and proper. It’s a technical term ). Veronica Lake, with her peek-a-boo hair and killer wit, is a pure delight on screen. She’s cunning, funny, and can light up a room with just a wink . Fredric March, well, let’s just say he loosens up a bit as the movie goes on. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t under the spell of a beautiful witch? There’s enough romantic tension to cut with a butter knife (or maybe a magic wand 🪄).
The chemistry between Lake and March? Well, it’s like watching a magical dance where you’re never quite sure who’s leading who, but you can’t look away. Plus, their banter is everything. It’s witty, it’s snappy, and it’s got that old Hollywood glam that makes you wish people still talked like that. It’s like, the scriptwriters decided to throw caution to the wind and just have a field day with it.
And the effects, for their time, are quite the spectacle – think charmingly retro with a side of “how did they do that?” For a 1942 film, they’re pretty darn impressive. We’ve got cauldrons bubbling, smoke billowing, and even a flying taxi. It’s all done with a wink and a smile, adding to the overall charm of the movie.
Now, “I Married a Witch” isn’t without its flaws. Some folks might find Fredric March a bit too stiff at times (though, to be fair, that’s kind of his character!), and the ending might feel a tad rushed. But hey, that’s the beauty of classic movies, right? They leave you wanting a little bit more, a little bit of magic to linger after the credits roll.
“I Married a Witch” is a delightful screwball comedy with a touch of the supernatural. It’s funny, charming, and sure to leave you with a smile. And hey, if you’re a fan of shows like “Bewitched” (which, let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you can see where the inspiration for that whole shenanigan came from.
Catch you on the next magical adventure,
Roger