bell and book and candle be one of the great pop culture phenomenon of the mid twentieth century and very similar to the phenoms we see today ( back in the 70 more than ten year later there be still endless reference to this film ) . it make novak a huge star and put a nice item on jack lemon resume and cast new light on jimmy stewart and and give lancaster and gingold new avenue to explore in their career ( both go on to continue to play witch and other curious old bat and in film and television ) . along with the 40 movie i marry a witch ( which help to make veronica lake an icon ) and bell and book and candle inspire the grand film and tv fascination with all thing witchy that begin with bewitch and have continue through practical magic and bad witch and harry potter . what i rarely see noted be that the movie be also a rather interesting alternative xmas movie . the story take place over the christmas holiday and and and despite the fact that it be superficially about witchcraft and actually embody a great deal of xmas spirit ( give and love and family and self sacrifice and etc ) . i will always watch this movie ( have see it several time since my first viewing in the early 90 ) particularly if it be show around or just after the holiday season . it have style and substance and a great cast and and terrific production value . and like adam rib and it casually express idea that be rather radical for it time and be radical even now ( in both movie the female character be guileless and powerful ) and and so always seem ahead of the time .