Bewitched has lots of similarities – I think it might have been based on the fantasy novel by Thorne Smith – The Passionate Witch – daughter witch and father warlock have been trapped in the roots of an ancient tree since the Salem Trials and when it’s struck by lightening they’re released into the modern world (a country club where the descendant of their prosecutor is attending a dinner dance)… It’s really a lot of fun – and a good watch for Halloween.
“While Mr. Wooly’s interest in fire was intense, he did not approve of it–not when it was on the loose.”…Thorne Smith
When I was a kid I found a pile of yellowed and brittle editions of Mr. Smith’s paperbacks along with sets of National Geographic dating back to 1925 in the attic – I was hooked! He wrote “Topper”!
Smith was fantastic. Very tragic alcoholic, but a wonderful man with a phrase. From his novel, “Did She Fall” comes one of the greatest opening lines in all of literature: “Sometimes a well executed murder clears the air.” “Night Life of the Gods” is another great Smith novel. So many of that era’s writers, humorists and novelists both, are all but forgotten, which is a damned shame.
I Married a Witch – sharp funny story and petite lovely Veronica Lake (euphonious name), you can’t go wrong. She looks smokey and smokin’ in that image above, I love the expression on her face – a kind of sexy sneer perfect for the character. That Thorne Smith got two classic films (this and Topper) made from his work.
The thing I could never understand about Bewitched was why Darrin was so intent on sucking on sucking up to his idiot boss and was somewhat embarrassed that his cute funny intelligent wife was a witch! A nice witch at that. Really, Dagwood. (it’s lucky that poor Dick York made him so likeable, he was like a little boy next to his stunning adult wife, Dick Sargent wasn’t quite as good but was, I think, later one of the relatively few out gay men in Hollywood which is admirable. Good on ya, Mr Sargent)
The Thorne Smith books are sooooo much more saucy than anything that ever appeared on the big screen – or the little screen. If you want an escapist romp of read his books are pure fun.
Dick Sargent – a very, very, good egg!
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George Kaplan
February 17, 2013
Is it OK to say that with your mention of their sauciness you have intrigued me strangely about those books?! I love those movies but it sounds like the novels have their own distinct pleasures. I certainly like a little *sauciness* ;).
My father had a raging crush on Veronica Lake, though he always tried to mitigate it by pretending to forget her name. “I like that one… you know, that girl who always has one curl in front of her eyes.”
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Was this what Bewitched the series was later based on? I loved Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha when I was a little girl.
Bewitched has lots of similarities – I think it might have been based on the fantasy novel by Thorne Smith – The Passionate Witch – daughter witch and father warlock have been trapped in the roots of an ancient tree since the Salem Trials and when it’s struck by lightening they’re released into the modern world (a country club where the descendant of their prosecutor is attending a dinner dance)… It’s really a lot of fun – and a good watch for Halloween.
You mentioned Thorne Smith! That is so hot!
“While Mr. Wooly’s interest in fire was intense, he did not approve of it–not when it was on the loose.”…Thorne Smith
When I was a kid I found a pile of yellowed and brittle editions of Mr. Smith’s paperbacks along with sets of National Geographic dating back to 1925 in the attic – I was hooked! He wrote “Topper”!
Smith was fantastic. Very tragic alcoholic, but a wonderful man with a phrase. From his novel, “Did She Fall” comes one of the greatest opening lines in all of literature: “Sometimes a well executed murder clears the air.” “Night Life of the Gods” is another great Smith novel. So many of that era’s writers, humorists and novelists both, are all but forgotten, which is a damned shame.
Thank you! I will see if the library has them in.
I Married a Witch – sharp funny story and petite lovely Veronica Lake (euphonious name), you can’t go wrong. She looks smokey and smokin’ in that image above, I love the expression on her face – a kind of sexy sneer perfect for the character. That Thorne Smith got two classic films (this and Topper) made from his work.
The thing I could never understand about Bewitched was why Darrin was so intent on sucking on sucking up to his idiot boss and was somewhat embarrassed that his cute funny intelligent wife was a witch! A nice witch at that. Really, Dagwood. (it’s lucky that poor Dick York made him so likeable, he was like a little boy next to his stunning adult wife, Dick Sargent wasn’t quite as good but was, I think, later one of the relatively few out gay men in Hollywood which is admirable. Good on ya, Mr Sargent)
The Thorne Smith books are sooooo much more saucy than anything that ever appeared on the big screen – or the little screen. If you want an escapist romp of read his books are pure fun.
Dick Sargent – a very, very, good egg!
Is it OK to say that with your mention of their sauciness you have intrigued me strangely about those books?! I love those movies but it sounds like the novels have their own distinct pleasures. I certainly like a little *sauciness* ;).
My father had a raging crush on Veronica Lake, though he always tried to mitigate it by pretending to forget her name. “I like that one… you know, that girl who always has one curl in front of her eyes.”