FILMOGRAPHY: MOVIE LISTINGS

An entertaining comedy with a bewitching performance by Veronica Lake.

One of her best. Veronica lake is stunning in her sweet and beguiling performance as the lovely witch Jennifer. Everyone always mentions how beautiful she looks, but what makes her really special to me in this performance is her beautiful voice and wonderful facial expressions. She is so animated and cute that it melts one's heart. Two time Oscar winner Frederick march delivers a great performance as a gubernatorial candidate who won't stand a chance at being elected if Jennifer successfully spellbinds him.

The cast compliments the film in every way. Cecil Kellaway is hysterical as a Jennifer's dad and Robert Benchley is equally competent in the role of candidate Wolley's political advisor and investor. One cannot fail to mention that this film was also graced by the presence of Susan Hayward in one of her early screen appearances. She is absolutely radiant and delivers a magnificent performance as Wolley's tempestuous bride to be that foreshadows her rise to Hollywood greatness.

Director Rene Clair does a superb job directing and really keeps the film moving nicely. One only wishes that he and lake had collaborated more. I get the sense that he really brought out the best in her unlike many others, who between atrocious scripts and direction, doomed this lovely lady's career. Overall this is a gem and it's one of Veronica's best performances.

Special effects and comedy come together for a bewitching movie.

What can you say about this movie that hasn't been said. Simply one of Lakes finest moments. Funny, Sexy, Coy, Beautiful, Cheeky, Perfect?

First time I saw this movie as a Lake fan I was blown away. She is everything needed to play the role. There is still a hint of her unease in the voice over sections but it just makes her 'innocent' voiced character even more believable.

Its to the eternal shame of paramount pictures that she didn't get parts like that again. The effects are funny and clever for the technology available, I still cant quite see how they moved the broomstick in the hospital.

There is something of a risqué element to the script that still pleases today and if you not seen any other Lake movie. See this one. It has everything. Gotta be a 10 on the Lake-o-meter.

Cuteness overload.

While lake might be more famous for her noir work for me it's as a vengeful witch that she really hit her stride.

Even before we get to see her impish form, as a ghost she delivers some incredibly cute lines in such a giggly voice that are instantly endearing. Soon of course Jennifer manifests and starts causing trouble for the characters with her wicked nature.

You have to give great credit to the cast, production and direction to bring everything together but a film is a sum of its parts and Lake was born to cause mischief. The curmudgeonly Fredric March is perfectly cast as someone Jennifer can frustrate and by all accounts Lake went full method on March and pranked him mercilessly.

It's a movie from a different time with very light jokes and anything a bit wicked is simply hinted at and it's almost a refreshing change to modern crass comedies. It has a lot of fun with the concept of an ancient witch coming to a modern world and having such confidence in her power that she oddly fits right in.

Possibly..., likely my favourite Lake film and one that modern audiences can warm to.

Notes:
I love the practical effects: the clock fast forwarding as we watch. The fire and broom moving in response to Jennifer and possibly best of all the stunt performer sliding down a huge banister and, obscured by the maid, swapping out for Lake who tumbles into frame all in one take.. it's serious fun and simple.

They drop in some reversed filmed sections and some overlays but most of the time the effects are practical and in camera.