There never was a sexier witch than Veronica Lake, and she was used excellently by Rene Clair in this. I thought it was odd to start the movie with the witches curse in the opening sequence conveyed to us via reportage but I’m guessing Clair wanted to hold off her initial appearance. We hear her voice as her spirit is released in the present day, then she’s a voice in the fog – a naked person asking Frederick March for a coat. He gives her one, then carries her to a room – then we see the famous profile, with it’s peek-a-boo hair. Soon she’s dressed in men’s pyjamas, looking extremely cute as she tries to seduce March. Later on she falls in love with him (by being given a love potion she did up for him), and ends up causing much mischief in his life. Lake wasn’t the best actor in the world, but what a star!
March is quite good too, as a man swept up in circumstances beyond his control. (He is also very believable as his Puritan, witch-burning ancestor.) Cecil Kellaway (Lake’s drunk dad) and Robert Benchley (March’s friend) offer hilarious support, as does a young Susan Hayward (March’s bitchy fiancée). I enjoyed the political satire (i.e. March winning an election with the opposition getting nil votes) and the special effects (eg flying broomsticks) are pretty effective for the time. A sexy, fun comedy.
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