Bell, Book and Candle

Bell, Book and Candle (1950), a comedy by John van Druten. [ Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 233 perf.] Gillian Holroyd (Lilli Palmer) is a witch who is certain that through her black arts she can get anything she wants, including the publisher in the neighboring apartment, Shep Henderson (Rex Harrison). He promptly knocks on her door and falls in love with her and in no time they are set to be married. The happy arrangement is spoiled when Gillian fights with her brother and aunt, who are also witches, and they spill the beans to Shep. To keep Shep she gives up witchery. The play, which the Times described as “completely enchanting . . . a wonderfully suave and impish fancy,” gave promise of having a long run, but when Harrison and Miss Palmer left the cast, the producer was unable to find suitable replacements and so closed the show while it was still doing good business. Later, road companies toured successfully with Rosalind Russell and Dennis Price, and with Joan Bennett and Zachary Scott, starring.