Thursday, December 11th at 6PM
A screening of the magical Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart 1958 classic with a special introduction and sneak peek of the upcoming documentary Kim Novak’s Vertigo. Member’s holiday celebration to follow.
Sag Harbor, NY – The annual Sag Harbor Cinema’s Holiday Cheers to the Members kicks the holiday season off with a member’s screening of the 1958 Richard Quine supernatural romantic comedy Bell, Book and Candle, starring Kim Novak as a powerful Greenwich Village witch who casts a love spell on her unsuspecting neighbor played by Jimmy Stewart. The screening will be preceded by a special introduction by SHC Founding Artistic Director Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan which will include sneak preview clips of Alexandre Philippe’s upcoming documentary Kim Novak’s Vertigo. A holiday celebration for SHC members will follow on the Cinema’s third floor.
Whereas Alfred Hitchcock had used it to haunting, dramatic heights in Vertigo, the pitch perfect chemistry between Kim Novak and James Stewart is reflected here in its comedic possibilities. Bell, Book and Candle — adapted by Daniel Taradash (From Here to Eternity) from John Van Druten’s 1950 play — opened in November of 1958, just six months after Hitchcock’s masterpiece. A story of love and witchcraft set against the backdrop of the Village ‘50s bohemian life, Quine’s film (his second with Novak) is lushly photographed by James Wong Howe (Sweet Smell of Success) and features sumptuous costumes designed by Jean Louis (Gilda, A Star Is Born).
“Bell, Book and Candle is one of my favorite Christmas films, and one of the great New York ones. I am thrilled to share it with our members, with the added treat of a sneak preview of Alexandre Philippe’s upcoming documentary Kim Novak’s Vertigo, which premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival and coincided with Kim Novak’s reception of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. On that occasion, I had the honor of working both with Ms. Novak and Alexandre. I am very grateful he has allowed me to offer our member a taste of his insightful piece,” says D’Agnolo Vallan.
Kim Novak’s Vertigo highlights the 92-year-old’s iconic role in the revered Hitchcock psychological thriller. The documentary explores Novak’s journey from stardom to a reclusive life as an artist in Oregon, blending rare archival footage and Novak’s deeply personal reflections on defiance against the Hollywood studio system, reclaiming her identity after Vertigo, and her reinvention as a painter.
The screening of Bell, Book and Candle will be followed by a Holiday Celebration on the Cinema’s third floor, where members can enjoy complimentary beverages and a taste of Sag Harbor from Cluckman’s and Doubles restaurants. The celebration will also feature a basket raffle with prizes from Leallo, Hermonia Landscaping, and more.
SHC Members: Sag Harbor Cinema’s screening of ‘Bell, Book and Candle’ on Thursday, December 11th at 6pm is part of its annual Holiday Cheers to the Members and will be followed by a celebration on the third floor. This event is offered free exclusively to Sag Harbor Cinema members on a first come, first serve basis. Pre-registration is required for up to two people (please reserve two tickets if bringing a guest). Tickets are available at the box office or at sagharborcinema.org
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ABOUT THE FILM
BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE
Directed by Richard Quine
USA | 1958 | 106 mins | English
Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak) is a powerful, modern-day witch living in New York City’s Greenwich Village, in the late 1950s. When she encounters her new neighbor, charming publisher Shepherd Henderson (James Stewart), she decides to make him hers by casting a love spell. Gillian takes added pleasure in doing so because Henderson is engaged to her old college rival (Janice Rule). However, Gillian finds herself actually falling for Shepherd, which poses a problem: She will lose her powers if she falls in love. With Jack Lemmon as the wannabe witch-brother and Elsa Lancaster.
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About Sag Harbor Cinema
As a not-for-profit 501(c)3, community-based organization, Sag Harbor Cinema is dedicated to presenting the past, present and future of the Movies and to preserving and educating about films, filmmaking, and the film-going experience in its three state-of-the-art theaters. The Cinema engages its audiences and the community year-round through dialogue, discovery, and appreciation of the moving image – from blockbusters to student shorts and everything in between. Revitalized and reimagined through unprecedented community efforts to rebuild the iconic Main Street structure after a fire nearly destroyed it in 2016, SHC continues a long historic tradition of entertainment in the heart of Sag Harbor Village.