I Married a Witch

Brewing up a whole lot of trouble

First off sorry for not posting anything for October... I know shame.

This classic movie starts off with a great traditional witch score as the movie's intro begins with listing the credits first. The first scene starts off as a burning in the times back when America was just a bunch of struggling Pilgrims. A clergy man says some condemning words then turns as a man starts selling fresh popcorn before the burning. What? Yes that's right this 1942 black and white film is obviously not a serious flick at all but a comedy. The movie focuses on a pilgrim named Jonathan Wooley (Fredric March) who regrets revealing the family of witches. As she cursed them that him and his line would be unlucky in love.

The witches ashes are guarded by an oak tree which they planted over them. The movies flashes into the year 1770 where Nathaniel Wooley is proposing to a beautiful girl name Martha under the very same oak tree. She was about to say yes when a strange giggling startles her from accepting. The year suddenly flashes to 1861 where Samuel Wooley is more than happy to leave his wife Nancy to fight in the war. Again the year flashes to 1904 where we see another Wooley just married to his new nagging wife late in his year. Finally it's the 1940's where Wallace Wooley is having an argument with a beautiful girl named Estelle. He's currently running for Governor and hosting a grand party where his speech is constantly interrupted by a thunder storm. His family line is truly cursed.

A piece of lightning strikes the tree and spirits of  the witches are released in the form of witches smoke. These wispy spirits are quite upset as they float across the yards and notice that the times have changed since they deaths. Both father and daughter are delighted to be set free and ready to cause revenge for their untimely deaths. The dialogue exchange between father and daughter are devious and playful at best as they watch the party take place and examine the difference between the puritan way of life and the time they're in. Soon they hide in a pair of liquor bottles as a man steps outside. It's Wallace Wooley and he's seems to be lost in thought. He walks back in and the bottles are carried inside by the bar where Wallace is smoking. The daughter recognized him and his expression knowing that her curse has lived through it's time.

The two spirits fly off on a broom through the night and set a hotel on fire as they were taken from fire they shall be born from it. His daughter drops off and leaves her drunk father spirit flying through the night. The building is completely on flames as Fire Fighters can not put it out. Wallace Wooley, with his lady Estelle (Susan Hayward) and friend Dudley (Robert Benchley) arrive to stop to see the commotion. They all watch it slowly burn until he a woman's voice crying for help. Strangely no one else can hear the woman's cries as Wallace Wooley rushes in try to help the damsel. He finally finds her on the second floor the petite girl is Jennifer (Veronica Lake) naked and is quite happy as she has a body again. However they're stuck on the second floor with no way out. She has a lot of trouble walking and is also undecided if she should have been reborn as a blonde. Wally (Wallce) finally finds an exit and carries the bemused blonde out of the burning hotel to a very lucky snap shot opportunity.

The story continues as he can't get rid of the scrumptious blonde who he tries to push away. But the witch is is determined and with a few hours has him captivated by her. She's succeeded in her first step but is still determined to ruin his life further. The witch and her father brew up a potion that will force him to fall in love with her however things go wrong for the witch and her father. The movie is a must see. The actors did an outstanding job. Maybe it wasn't very much acting on Veronica Lakes's part as IMDB trivia mentioned how other actors considered acting with her was a pain in the behind. Either way the film is a classic that should be seen more often. I highly enjoyed and would recommend it.

Title: I Married a Witch

Length: 77 min

Ratings: PG

Year: 1942

Director: René Clair

Starring: Fredric March, Veronica Lake, Susan Hayward, Robert Benchley

Over All Score: A+ A Must See

Entertaining: A- Very lively film it was devious and magic through out the film.

Cinematography: B standard for it's time and done well. Loved the smoke effects.

Storyline: A- Original by most of it very whimsical but not completely original as a whole.

Acting: A The actors obviously did a great job there was no half acting or cheesy work. Even their voice acting scenes and dialogue where done with character.

Music: B the score is cute and catchy. I liked listening to it and timing was spot on.