“I Married a Witch” is a 1942 romantic comedy film directed by René Clair. Starring Veronica Lake and Fredric March, the film tells the story of a witch who is burned at the stake in the 17th century and is later reincarnated in the modern world. She uses her powers to get revenge on the descendants of the man who condemned her. The film begins in colonial America, where Jennifer, a witch, and her father are sentenced to be burned at the stake by Jonathan Wooley, a witch-hunter. Before her death, Jennifer curses Wooley and his descendants by ensuring that they will always marry the wrong woman. Centuries later, Jennifer and her father are released from their imprisonment when lightning strikes the tree where they were buried, freeing their spirits.
by Jeff Stafford
In addition to the witty script by Robert Pirosh, Marc Connelly, and Dalton Trumbo and the spirited performances of the entire cast, the film benefits greatly from a non-stop barrage of sight gags that run the gamut from hex-induced hurricanes to spirits imprisoned in bottles to taxicabs that float in the air. Jennifer perfects the sliding-up-the-banister maneuver years before Mary Poppins attempts it, and she mainly uses her powers in service of romantic and household harmony for herself and Wallace.
Centuries later, Jennifer and her father are released from their imprisonment when lightning strikes the tree where they were buried, freeing their spirits. Jennifer discovers that one of Wooley's descendants is Wallace Wooley, a politician running for governor. She decides to use her powers to make Wallace fall in love with her and ruin his political career.
Classic Corner: I Married a Witch
There’s something magical about Veronica Lake’s presence in 1942’s I Married a Witch, and not just because she’s playing the title sorceress. René Clair’s romantic comedy is a whimsical trifle, as light as the vapor forms of Lake’s Jennifer and her father Daniel (Cecil Kellaway), but Lake gives it substance with the force of her charm. Jennifer may be a sort of 1940s manic pixie dream girl, disrupting the life of stuffy politician Wallace Wooley (Fredric March), but she has an internal life behind those twinkling eyes, which Lake imbues with wit and cunning.
Jennifer falls in love with Wallace, but really she has every reason not to. His ancestor Jonathan Wooley (also March), a Puritan settler in early New England, denounced Jennifer and Daniel and had them burned at the stake. Their spirits were then trapped in a tree, where they remained for the next 200-plus years. In retaliation, Jennifer placed a curse on the Wooley lineage, that Jonathan and his descendants (all of whom appear to be male, all played by March) will always be unlucky in love, marrying the wrong spouse. Sure enough, when a bolt of lightning splits the tree and sets Jennifer and Daniel’s incorporeal forms free, Wallace is engaged to the humorless, demanding Estelle Masterson (Susan Hayward).
Jennifer and Daniel may be witches, but they’re not evil. When they float over to the engagement party/campaign rally for Estelle and Wallace, who’s running for governor, the worst they do is cast a spell to make Wallace stub his toe. The more experienced Daniel tells the somewhat naive Jennifer that the worst curse for a man is not to marry the wrong woman, but rather to be in love with a woman he cannot be with. So Jennifer decides to punish Wally by making him fall in love with her, after she assumes an alluring form.
Lake is easy to believe as a woman irresistible to even a devoted husband-to-be, although the hapless Wallace is less enticing. Jennifer’s plan is silly, but this is a silly movie, and the instant love connection between the two characters could serve as a parody of the speed at which love develops in a typical 1940s rom-com. Wallace goes to comically elaborate efforts to avoid Jennifer, but there’s never any sense that he actually loves Estelle or that he particularly wants to be governor. This is a man who has nothing worthwhile in his life until Jennifer comes along.
Jennifer and Daniel have to start a fire in order to regenerate Jennifer’s body, burning down a hotel named after the pilgrims (but of course harming no one in the process) and attracting Wallace’s attention. He “rescues” Jennifer, who doesn’t seem in much of a hurry to escape the burning building, instead taking time to admire her latest physical incarnation and to tease Wallace with the prospect of her naked form. Clair and Lake test the boundaries of the Production Code with multiple implied moments of nudity, and they have Jennifer spend the night in Wallace’s bed, although he himself never appears to join her.
There’s a certain kinky power dynamic to the relationship between Jennifer and Wallace, which foreshadows similar magical pairings in Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and even Mary Poppins. Jennifer perfects the sliding-up-the-banister maneuver years before Mary Poppins attempts it, and she mainly uses her powers in service of romantic and household harmony for herself and Wallace. Even before she’s accidentally dosed with a love potion meant for Wallace, Jennifer seems smitten with the flustered politician. If her plan is meant to punish him, it’s a complete failure.
Like Bewitched’s Samantha Stephens, Jennifer pledges to devote herself to becoming a housewife, and her infatuation with Wallace could be viewed as negating the freedom and mischievousness that comes with being a witch. Despite Daniel taking her powers away in retribution for her antics, though, she still has the upper hand in her relationship with Wallace. Even when he seems to make a decision on his own, it’s driven by her desires, and he’s better off for it. Darrin Stephens may have been the high-powered ad executive, but there was no question who held the power on Bewitched, and the same holds true here.
I Married a Witch ends with a flash-forward to the domestic life of Jennifer and Wallace that could be the start of a similar sitcom, but one of the movie’s charms is that it’s lively and brief. In 75 minutes, Clair delivers effervescent romance, clever wordplay, gentle social satire, and one of the best movie-star showcases of the era. Wallace falls in love with Jennifer over the course of a night that passes in a single time-lapse shot of a clock. By that time, the audience is way ahead of him.
Here are more reviews for your enjoyment .
However, as they spend more time together, Jennifer starts to develop feelings for Wallace and questions her plan for revenge. “I Married a Witch” is a charming and whimsical film that combines elements of comedy, fantasy, and romance. Veronica Lake delivers a delightful performance as the mischievous and enchanting witch, while Fredric March portrays the initially skeptical but eventually smitten Wallace Wooley. The film showcases the classic Hollywood screwball comedy style, with witty banter and slapstick humor. It also explores themes of love, redemption, and the power of forgiveness. Jennifer's journey from seeking revenge to discovering love and compassion makes her a sympathetic and endearing character. The film ultimately sends a positive message about the transformative power of love and the importance of second chances. “I Married a Witch” was not initially a box office success but has since gained a cult following and is considered a classic of romantic comedy. Its influence can be seen in later films and TV shows featuring witches and supernatural romantic comedy elements. It was also a source of inspiration for the popular TV show “Bewitched”. Overall, “I Married a Witch” is a delightful and timeless film that blends fantasy, romance, and comedy. Its memorable characters, witty dialogue, and enchanting story make it a must-watch for fans of classic Hollywood cinema and lovers of romantic comedies..
Reviews for "Double Trouble: The Dual Roles in "I Married a Witch"
1. John - 2 stars - I was excited to watch "I Married a Witch" because I heard so many great things about it, but I was extremely disappointed. The concept of a witch getting revenge on a man from her past life sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The plot was predictable, the humor was forced, and the characters were one-dimensional. I found myself bored and uninterested for the majority of the film. Overall, "I Married a Witch" failed to live up to its reputation and left me wishing I had chosen a different movie to watch.
2. Jessica - 1 star - "Watch i Married a Witch" was a complete waste of my time. The story was nonsensical and lacked any depth. The characters were unlikable and their actions made little sense. The supposed comedic moments fell flat and the romance was completely unbelievable. I found myself checking the time numerous times, hoping the movie would end soon. "I Married a Witch" definitely did not bewitch me, it only left me feeling frustrated and annoyed.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "I Married a Witch", hoping for a charming and whimsical romantic comedy. However, the film fell short in so many ways. The performances were lackluster, the dialogue was cheesy, and the plot felt rushed and disjointed. The humor, which was supposed to be the highlight of the film, failed to land and left me cringing instead of laughing. Overall, "I Married a Witch" was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to others.