Bell, book and candle by john van druten goodreads. John van drutens frothy romantic comedy bell, book and candle is best known because of hollywoods charming movie version of the. John van drutens bell, book and candle or at least the sassy, stylish production now at hartford stage could bring back walltowall carpeting. The ringing of the bell evoked a death toll, the closing of a holy book symbolized the excommunicants separation from the church, and the extinguishing of a candle. Bell book and candle a comedy by john van druten play. Publication date 19680803 topics bbc radio drama, saturday night theatre language english. Bell, book and candle is a fun little romp with two lovely, complicated characters at its centre. Bell, book and candle is a 1958 american technicolor comedydrama romance film directed by richard quine, based on the successful 1950 broadway play by john van druten adapted by daniel taradash.
Dramatists play service, one of the premier playlicensing and theatrical publishing agencies in the world, was formed in 1936 to foster national opportunities for playwrights by publishing affordable editions of their plays and handling the performance rights to these works. Bell, book and candle is a 1950 broadway play by john van druten. But with kim novak the central figure, the picture lacks the spontaneity and sparkle written in by playwright john van druten. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Bell, book and candle, an enchanting romantic comedy written by john van druten and directed by tracy labrosse, runs august 23 through september 21 at the metro theatre, vancouver.
Because witches can not fall in love, gillian must choose between the life of a witch or the life of a normal. Jenkins, costumes by anna hill johnstone with additional costumes exclusively. Bell, book, and candle idioms by the free dictionary. The john van druten broadway hit is brought to the screen with a maximum of star power in this romantic fantasy about a modernday witch who beguiles a successful manhattan publisher. John van drutens stage comedy bell book and candle starred rex harrison and lilli palmer on broadway. Kim novak falls in love with publisher james stewart as her warlock brother jack lemmon complicates matters by coauthoring a book on magic with drunken ernie kovacs. She casts a spell over an unattached publisher, shepherd henderson, partly to keep him away from a rival and partly because she is attracted to him. John van druten is a largely forgotten playwright, but he shouldnt be. Bell, book and candle by john van druten is a perfect example of one of those coded plays. The original production was directed by john van druten with scenic and lighting design. Bell, book and candle original, play, comedy, broadway opened in new york city nov 14, 1950 and played through jun 2, 1951. Not having seen it for a while, we decided to take another look at this comedy. Bell book and candle a comedy by john van druten play script vintage 1951 book. John william van druten 1 june 1901 19 december 1957 was an english playwright and theatre director, known professionally as john van druten.
Not pretty but still useful starving student script. Definition of bell, book, and candle in the idioms dictionary. Find where to watch bell book and candle and many more fulllength movies from the best streaming services online. John van druten was born on june 1, 1901 in london, england. Witch gillian holroyd casts a spell on publisher shepherd henderson who falls madly in love with her. Bell, book and candle is a 1958 american technicolor romantic comedy film directed by richard quine, based on the successful broadway play by john van druten adapted by daniel taradash. Based on van drutens popular stage play, which ran 233 performances in 195051. He was known for his plays of witty and urbane observations of contemporary life and society. Bell, book and candle is an old 1958, familiar romantic comedy play by john van druten, predictable but enjoyable nonetheless. He writes women better than some playwrights working today. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. Excellent like new conditionlooks unread, small spot. Bewitched and bewildered, anthony henderson wanders into the christmas cauldron of a knightsbridge witches coven just when gillian holroyd decides that she wants a new man in her life. John van drutens play ran for 233 performances during the 19501951 season and served as a starring vehicle for the then married rex harrison and lilli palmer.
This is a christmas love story with a tad of magic. Darko tresnjak is directing john van drutens bell, book and candle at the hartford stage through april 29. Details about bell book and candle a comedy by john van druten play script vintage 1951 book. The 1958 filmed version stars james stewart and kim novak, fresh from their successful teaming in hitchcocks vertigo. Assistant stage manager having just served as assistant stage manager for cleveland play houses production of bell, book and candle, has been a production assistant, stage coordinator. Bell, book and candle original, play, comedy, broadway opened in new york city nov 14, 1950 and played through jun 2. Bell, book and candle dramatists play service, inc. James stewart may get top billing, but it is kim novak who steals the show as one of the most alluring witches ever to. Delightful spoof on witchcraft, based on john van drutens 1950 broadway play. Bell, book and candle is a 1958 romantic comedyfantasy film adapted from a 1950 play of the same name by john van druten, directed by richard quine and starring james stewart, kim novak, jack lemmon, and ernie kovacs shep henderson stewart is a book publisher in manhattan who happens to live above a dealer in african art named gillian holroyd novak. A comedy in three acts by john van druten and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Bell, book and candle by druten, john van and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
This acting edition script has shelf wear and edge wear to the covers. Bell, book and candle by john van druten a play a day. The official database for broadway theatre information. It stars kim novak as a witch who casts a spell on her neighbor, played by james stewart. The original production was directed by john van druten with scenic and lighting design by george c. Book and candle, written by john van druten and directed by richard israel merrily we roll along, making his colony theatre directorial debut. Jenkins, costumes by anna hill johnstone with additional costumes exclusively designed for actress lilli palmer by valentina. Bell, book and candle by john van druten book cover, description, publication history. Goodreads members who liked bell, book and candle also liked. Bell, book and candle was originally a successful broadway play written by john van druten, a closeted gay man. Bell, book and candle by john van druten directed by michael cuba gillian holroyd is one of the few modern people who can actually cast spells and perform feats of supernaturalism. Gillian holroyd amanda heisey is a witch living in new york city in the 1950s who decides to put a love spell on her college rivals fiance, shepherd henderson craig weiskerger.
Bell, book and candle is a 1950 broadway play by john van. Bell book and candle by john van druten part 1 act i, scene 1, section 1 produced july 2011 by coach house players, kingston, ny directed by. Dps offers an extensive list of titles that includes many of the most significant plays of the past century. The acting, design, direction, and van drutens moving story together make for an entertaining collection of. He began his career in london, and later moved to america becoming a u. Based on the james van drutens broadway hit, which was a vehicle for rex harrison and lilli palmer in the early fifties, the film was adapted for the screen by daniel taradash.
Written by john van druten directed by richard israel. Bell, book, and candle 1962 by otterbein university issuu. He was a writer and producer, known for cabaret 1972, gaslight 1944 and raffles 1939. The title bell, book and candle refers to items used in excommunication rites over a thousand years ago. Bell, book and candle synopsis romantic comedy teens and adults it is the mid1950s and gillian holyroyd is a beautiful young witch who finds her neighbor, book publisher, shepherd henderson, quite attractive. Find books like bell, book and candle from the worlds largest community of readers.