As a disembodied entity, her foreboding, yet alluring voice fueled the flames of desire when she softly said; it would be nice to have lips, lips to whisper lies, lips to kiss man, make him suffer.
Jennifer (Veronica Lake) and her father Daniel, portrayed by Cecil Kellaway were burned to death by puritans in 1672 at the start of the movie.
"I Married A Witch" is a comedy, and the burning of Jennifer (Lake) and her father (Kellaway) are not shown, just puritans purchasing anti-witch charms from a vendor in the woods as a dying fire fades to transparent smoke amidst the trees.
Jennifer and Daniel's (Kellaway) ashes are buried under an oak tree which has the power to imprison their souls for eternity. A bolt of lightning frees there smoke laden souls 270 years later in 1942.
When Lake delivers the line about wanting to be a tangible body again, yearning to whisper lies to men, kiss them and make them suffer, I became an instant fan of this movie.
If vintage or black and white movies are not for you, this film would be a boring barrage of balderdash. For those who like the early morning or late night ambience of a different generation and suggested sexuality, this off-beat noir of nostalgia may spark some laughs, and perhaps some insight in the realms of politics.
Jonathan Wooley played by Fredric March was the man who revealed to his townsfolk that Jennifer and her father were witches. Before her burning death, Jennifer (Lake) cast a spell on Wooley (March) and all his family. Jennifer's curse deemed that Wooley and all his descendants would always marry the wrong women and be miserable in love.
Wallace Wooley, also portrayed by Fredric March is the 1942 descendant of 1672 Jonathan Wooley.
Wallace is an honest politician, yes, "I Married A Witch" is a comedy. Veronica Lake is the corporeal and gorgeous form of Jennifer, and with the aide of her father Daniel, she sets out to ensure the Wooley curse lives on.
Wallace is about to become a senator and get married to Estelle Masterson (Susan Hayward). It's obvious Masterson (Hayward) is anything but thrilled about the upcoming marriage, but Jennifer decides to meddle more in the curse she cast upon Wooley. Jennifer conjures up a love potion in an attempt to make Wallace fall in love with her before his wedding. The conflict for Jennifer heats up when she accidentally drinks the potion and her boozing father forgets spells, and eventually becomes her foe.
In the end, the mortal Wallace marries the witch Jennifer, and she decides to keep her magic under wraps, and their first born daughter is eager to test her mothers patience with her powers. Yes, the 1960s and early 70s sitcom "Bewitched" acquired its origins from this 1942 comedy.
Izzy Schurr, aka Mark Schurr
