An amusing , intriguing and diverting movie about a peculiar diplomat who moves into an apartment falling in love for his landlady , a beautiful woman , but she results to be suspect murderer . When William Gridley (Jack Lemmon) arrives from the US in London, he rents part of Carly Hardwicke's (Kim Novak) house from her and promptly begins to fall in love. Gridley doesn't know that many people think she killed her husband but his boss, on the American embassy staff, knows and doesn't take this "lapse of judgment" lightly. Since Carly is also American, Gridley saves his job by introducing her to his chief (Fred Astaire) , who is promptly smitten and promises to help her. So when a Scotland Yard detective (Lionel Jeffries) arrives, wanting to get to the truth one way or another, they say they'll help him. And then the comedic complications really begin. Did she...or did she?!!. She may have murdered her husband...or maybe it's only a roomer. We mean...did she murder her husband !.
Outlandish comedy-mystery set in London written by director Richard Quine himself and Larry Gelbart . This delightful comedy film is amusing all the way in which Lemmon entrances by houseowner Kim deciding to find out if she really did kill her husband. This is a bewildering comedy about an enchanting premise , containing emotion, a love story and hilarious moments with great actors having a great time. This offbeat film works its magic on an unsuspecting American junior diplomat in London rents a house from a gorgeous landlady , and falls in love with, but she is a woman suspected of murder, then a lot of messes , confusion and mayhem emerging here and there . And made in similar style to previous ¨Richard Quine's Bell Book and Candle (1958)¨ also starred by Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak . A funny movie allows Jack Lemmon prove his comical skills as a botcher diplomat , Kim Novak as a gorgeous modern-day landlady to let their hair down in no uncertain fashion and Astaire in particular having a big fun as an impish diplamatic boss , along with Estelle Winwood who stands-out as a wheelchair-bound old lady . And brief interventions from other secondaries such as : Maxwell Reed, Henry Daniell, Ronald Long , Richard Peel and Doris Lloyd.
It packs an evocative and brilliant cinematography in black and white by director of photography Arthur E. Arling . As well as romantic and sensitive musical score by George Duning. This modestly entertaining bit of whimsical tale was professionally directed by Richard Quine , though it has its ups and downs. Quine was nice actor and director who met fellow MGM contract player Susan Peters on the set of the film Tish (1942), they became engaged and married during the filming of their second movie together, Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant (1942). Quine was a good artisan expert on comedy and drama as proved in the following ones : Hotel, Oh Dad poor dad Mama is hung you in the Closet , Paris when it sizzles, W, Prisoner of Zenda, among others. Bell, Book and Candle rating : 6.5/10. Acceptable and decent comedy . The flick will appeal to Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak fans.
Outlandish comedy-mystery set in London written by director Richard Quine himself and Larry Gelbart . This delightful comedy film is amusing all the way in which Lemmon entrances by houseowner Kim deciding to find out if she really did kill her husband. This is a bewildering comedy about an enchanting premise , containing emotion, a love story and hilarious moments with great actors having a great time. This offbeat film works its magic on an unsuspecting American junior diplomat in London rents a house from a gorgeous landlady , and falls in love with, but she is a woman suspected of murder, then a lot of messes , confusion and mayhem emerging here and there . And made in similar style to previous ¨Richard Quine's Bell Book and Candle (1958)¨ also starred by Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak . A funny movie allows Jack Lemmon prove his comical skills as a botcher diplomat , Kim Novak as a gorgeous modern-day landlady to let their hair down in no uncertain fashion and Astaire in particular having a big fun as an impish diplamatic boss , along with Estelle Winwood who stands-out as a wheelchair-bound old lady . And brief interventions from other secondaries such as : Maxwell Reed, Henry Daniell, Ronald Long , Richard Peel and Doris Lloyd.
It packs an evocative and brilliant cinematography in black and white by director of photography Arthur E. Arling . As well as romantic and sensitive musical score by George Duning. This modestly entertaining bit of whimsical tale was professionally directed by Richard Quine , though it has its ups and downs. Quine was nice actor and director who met fellow MGM contract player Susan Peters on the set of the film Tish (1942), they became engaged and married during the filming of their second movie together, Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant (1942). Quine was a good artisan expert on comedy and drama as proved in the following ones : Hotel, Oh Dad poor dad Mama is hung you in the Closet , Paris when it sizzles, W, Prisoner of Zenda, among others. Bell, Book and Candle rating : 6.5/10. Acceptable and decent comedy . The flick will appeal to Jack Lemmon and Kim Novak fans.