Once upon a time, in a small village hidden away in the deep valleys of a mystical land, there lived an ordinary man named John. John was a kind-hearted and open-minded individual who found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He held no prejudices and believed in the inherent goodness of all beings. One fateful day, as John was traversing through the enchanted forest, he stumbled upon a mysterious woman. Her beauty was mesmerizing, but there was an otherworldly aura about her that left him both intrigued and wary. Introducing herself as Sarah, she revealed that she was a witch.
For generations, the men of the Wooley family (all played by March) have married henpecking wives. This is because centuries before, a witch called Jennifer (Lake) cursed Jonathan Wooley's (March) family to "marry the wrong woman" before being burned at the stake with her father Daniel after Wooley accused her.
For her own amusement, Jennifer decides to trick Wallace into becoming attracted to her by drugging him with a love potion, however, through a mix-up, she falls into her own trap and drinks the potion instead. There are charming little sight gags here and there sentient brooms zipping along the floor; floating cars; huge, crackling fires that flare on and off with ease, thanks to Jennifer s olde magick spells which all rhyme, of course.
Introducing herself as Sarah, she revealed that she was a witch. Despite the centuries-old stereotype and fear associated with witches, John's pure heart allowed him to see beyond the surface. He saw Sarah for who she truly was – a lonely, misunderstood being with a fierce power that could be harnessed for both good and evil.
I Married a Witch Is an Underrated Halloween Gem
If you’ve seen Hocus Pocus a million times, consider falling under the spell of this charming 1942 romantic comedy starring Veronica Lake.
October 30, 2017 Veronica Lake in I Married a Witch, 1942. From Everett Collection. Save this story Save this storyOn October 30, the spooky romantic comedy I Married a Witch celebrates its 75th anniversary. It’s a gem of a film that’s long been overlooked in favor of its witchy successors—yet much of its charm still sparkles all these decades later, thanks largely to the performance of its star, the sultry Veronica Lake.
Prior to the film’s release, Lake was one of Paramount’s newest starlets, with her instantly iconic blonde hair styled in a peek-a-boo part, and her leading roles in dramas like I Wanted Wings and Preston Sturges’s comedy Sullivan’s Travels. In I Married a Witch, helmed by the fantastical French filmmaker René Clair, Lake plays a colonial Salem-era witch named Jennifer who is burned at the stake alongside her father, then re-awakened hundreds of years later. Before her death, she casts a spell on the family of the man who burned them, cursing his descendants to always have rotten romances. Once she and her father’s spirits are free, they set forth to seek even more revenge. Jennifer tries to seduce the latest descendant, an aspiring politician named Wallace Wooley (Fredric March), with a love potion so that he will fall hopelessly in love with her. “I’ll treat him like a slave! I’ll make him suffer, body and soul!” she exclaims. Of course, her wicked plan goes awry almost instantly.
Lake’s performance is reason enough to revisit I Married a Witch all these years. She’s buoyant and effortless, with a deft ability to add just the right punctuation to all her punchlines. The dialogue is rife with easy but clever wordplay as well, thanks to its source material, an unfinished novel by Thorne Smith, and its screenwriters, Oscar winner Robert Pirosh and Pulitzer Prize winner Marc Connelly. (Preston Sturges was also a producer, initially, but left the project due to creative differences.) Lake makes the role her own, as does the rest of the knockout cast, which includes Susan Hayward as Wooley’s testy fiancée. Her shrewish characterization is a little sexist by modern standards, but Hayward—who went on to land five Oscar nods and one win in the years that followed this film—owns her scenes, grounding her character with sharp humor.
Contemporary viewers may also find themselves rolling their eyes a bit at Jennifer’s manic-pixie-dream-witch characterization—a slight offense to anyone allergic to mansplaining. Still, Lake holds and drives the picture, rather than March. He’s plenty charming, but stiff by comparison. (Lake would be pleased to hear that; the duo apparently did not get along off-screen, with March reportedly dubbing his co-star a “brainless little blonde sexpot.” Lake retorted by pulling pranks and calling him a “pompous poseur.”
The film is also brimming with classic witchy tropes, the sort that should be irresistible to anyone who counts kitschier later works like Hocus Pocus, The Witches of Eastwick, and Practical Magic among their favorites. Witch trials? Check. Cauldrons? Of course. Brooms flying through the night? Naturally! Considering the time it was produced, René Clair also did a fabulous job with the film’s minor special effects. There are charming little sight gags here and there—sentient brooms zipping along the floor; floating cars; huge, crackling fires that flare on and off with ease, thanks to Jennifer’s olde magick spells (which all rhyme, of course).
As their paths continued to intertwine, John and Sarah found solace in each other's company. Their conversations were filled with profound wisdom, shared dreams, and magical experiences that defied the laws of reality. Bound by a newfound love, they defied the societal norms that sought to separate them. However, their journey together was not without its challenges. The rest of the village, consumed by their fear and ignorance, could not comprehend the depth of the connection John and Sarah shared. Rumors spread like wildfire, painting Sarah as a wicked sorceress who had enchanted poor John. In the face of adversity, John's unwavering belief in love and acceptance allowed him to withstand the pressure and protect their love. He found himself standing up for Sarah, even in her absence, defending her honor and challenging the villagers' preconceived notions. Through patience, understanding, and gentle persuasion, he slowly began to change hearts and minds. As time went on, the villagers began to witness the love and compassion between John and Sarah. They saw the positive influence Sarah had on their community through her enchanting powers. Her magic brought healing, prosperity, and harmony to those she encountered. The villagers couldn't deny the truth any longer – Sarah was not an evil enchantress but a powerful force of good. In the end, John and Sarah's love conquered all obstacles and adversity. Their bond served as a reminder that love had no boundaries, that prejudice could be shattered, and that understanding and acceptance could bridge the gap between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Their love story became a legend often told, passed down from generation to generation. It taught the villagers the importance of looking beyond appearances and embracing the magic of the world around them. John and Sarah's union became a symbol of unity, hope, and a reminder that true love could conquer all – even the most potent enchantments..
Reviews for "Magical Matrimony: Balancing Love and the Supernatural"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "So I Married a Witch". The plot was thin and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The humor felt forced and fell flat most of the time. It seemed like the movie had potential, but it just didn't live up to it. I expected more substance and depth, but instead, I found myself cringing at the cheesy dialogue and lackluster performances. Overall, it was a forgettable and unenjoyable experience for me.
2. Sarah - 2/5
"So I Married a Witch" was a major letdown for me. The premise sounded interesting, but the execution was lackluster. The chemistry between the two lead characters was non-existent, and I couldn't connect with them or their story. The pacing was uneven, and the film failed to hold my attention throughout. I found the jokes to be stale and forced, and the plot was predictable from start to finish. I wanted to like this movie, but unfortunately, it left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
3. Michael - 1/5
I couldn't stand "So I Married a Witch". The story felt like a cliche and lacked any originality. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and I couldn't find any reason to root for them. The attempts at humor were cringe-worthy, and I found myself rolling my eyes more often than laughing. The pacing was off, and the film dragged on longer than necessary. Overall, I found the movie to be boring and a waste of time. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
4. Emily - 2/5
I was expecting something charming and whimsical from "So I Married a Witch", but it fell short for me. The plot felt disjointed and didn't flow well, making it difficult to follow. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their journey. The movie also relied too heavily on tired stereotypes, which was disappointing. While it had its moments of charm, overall, it failed to captivate me or leave a lasting impression.