Those of you familiar with the films "Topper" or "Topper Takes a Trip" will recognize a commonality with the present film of ghosts or deceased ghost-like witches interacting positively or negatively with the living, readily transforming from the invisible to the visible, as well as the reverse. All these films are based upon books written by Thorne Smith: "The Passionate Witch" being the relevant book for the present film. Actually, this novel was finished by Norman Matson after Smith's early death, and not published until 1941, shortly before this film was made.
Frederick March plays a series of men with the surname Wooley, beginning during the Salem witch trials, and ending with the contemporary Wooley descendant. Johnathan Wooley is a Puritan who denounced Jennifer(Veronica Lake) and her father Daniel(Cecil Kelloway) as witches and sorcerers, and had them burned at the stake. We don't get to see what they looked like before they were burned. However, Wooley said that Jennifer was uncommonly beautiful. Before being burned, Jennifer put a curse on Wolley and all his male descendants that they would marry a woman who would make them unhappy.(Daniel quips that all men marry a wrong woman, which I would disagree with). Apparently, this was true of all the Wolley descendants until the present Wallace Wooley, who is about to marry a headstrong, demanding, young woman for political reasons, although she is also beautiful. She is Estelle Masterson(Susan Hayward), daughter of an influential and wealthy man who is Wooley's most important backer in his imminent run for governor.
After being burnt, the ashes of Jennifer and Daniel were buried in the soil and a tree seedling placed above, with the hope that it would thrive and help keep them entangled among it's roots.(Why were their souls assumed to reside in their bodily ashes??). This worked until one day in 1941, when lightning struck tree, splitting it so that their spirits could escape. Their souls were designated by 2 plumes of smoke. At a formal dance, they hid in 2 bottles of spirits, apparently having a taste for alcohol. They think they have found a Wooley descendant in the man present who is running for governor. They decide to try to make Wooley unhappy by convincing him to marry Jennifer: a witch. They will have to work very fast, as Wooley is scheduled to marry Estelle the next day.
Skipping ahead in my summary, Jennifer finally convinces Wooley that she loves him and he loves her more than the volatile Estelle. She convinces him to marry her that night, as they are motoring out in the country and come across a bed and breakfast run by a justice of the peace(as luck would have it!). In their bedroom, Jennifer reveals that she is a witch, which Wolley doesn't believe at first. Meanwhile, a drunk Daniel has figured out how to exit his jail cell. His spirit finds Jennifer and says he will take away her sorceress powers , because her heart is too full of human love and kindness to continue being a witch(Why couldn't she be a 'white witch'??). Daniel, Wooley and Jennifer drive to the oak they were imprisoned in, and crash land ,after an aerial drive. Strangely, none is hurt. However, Daniel calls Jennifer's spirit to abandon her body, saying that Wooley's punishment will be the imminent loss of Jennifer, who is no longer a witch. Before Daniel can nudge her back into the tree, her spirit reenters her body and brings it back to life, she saying that "Love is stronger than witchcraft" Daniel is trapped inside a bottle of spirits, and kept on a shelf for the future. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Wooley live a happy life, with several children.
To me, this film is more interesting than "Topper". Partly, this is because of the additional interesting factor of witchcraft, along with ghosts that can change back and forth between the visible and invisible. Partly, it's because of the looks and film personality of Veronica Lake. Surely, her long blond hair, sexily arranged mostly over one side of her head is a significant part of her appeal. But, also her manner of speaking and coquettish personality are important. On the other hand, Frederic March, as Wooley, was poorly cast. He came across as too straight-laced, which even a Veronica would have difficulty loosening up. Veronica hated March's condescending attitude toward her. The girls were left to mostly carry the film. Also, March was 45 and looked early middle-aged. Veronica, at 20, seemed too young for him . Actually, I thought Susan(Estelle) had more potential as a politician's partner, but maybe that was just because she was older. It would have been nice if Bing Crosby or Bob Hope, also at Paramount, could have taken the role of Wooley. Cecil Kellaway was good, as Daniel.
Frederick March plays a series of men with the surname Wooley, beginning during the Salem witch trials, and ending with the contemporary Wooley descendant. Johnathan Wooley is a Puritan who denounced Jennifer(Veronica Lake) and her father Daniel(Cecil Kelloway) as witches and sorcerers, and had them burned at the stake. We don't get to see what they looked like before they were burned. However, Wooley said that Jennifer was uncommonly beautiful. Before being burned, Jennifer put a curse on Wolley and all his male descendants that they would marry a woman who would make them unhappy.(Daniel quips that all men marry a wrong woman, which I would disagree with). Apparently, this was true of all the Wolley descendants until the present Wallace Wooley, who is about to marry a headstrong, demanding, young woman for political reasons, although she is also beautiful. She is Estelle Masterson(Susan Hayward), daughter of an influential and wealthy man who is Wooley's most important backer in his imminent run for governor.
After being burnt, the ashes of Jennifer and Daniel were buried in the soil and a tree seedling placed above, with the hope that it would thrive and help keep them entangled among it's roots.(Why were their souls assumed to reside in their bodily ashes??). This worked until one day in 1941, when lightning struck tree, splitting it so that their spirits could escape. Their souls were designated by 2 plumes of smoke. At a formal dance, they hid in 2 bottles of spirits, apparently having a taste for alcohol. They think they have found a Wooley descendant in the man present who is running for governor. They decide to try to make Wooley unhappy by convincing him to marry Jennifer: a witch. They will have to work very fast, as Wooley is scheduled to marry Estelle the next day.
Skipping ahead in my summary, Jennifer finally convinces Wooley that she loves him and he loves her more than the volatile Estelle. She convinces him to marry her that night, as they are motoring out in the country and come across a bed and breakfast run by a justice of the peace(as luck would have it!). In their bedroom, Jennifer reveals that she is a witch, which Wolley doesn't believe at first. Meanwhile, a drunk Daniel has figured out how to exit his jail cell. His spirit finds Jennifer and says he will take away her sorceress powers , because her heart is too full of human love and kindness to continue being a witch(Why couldn't she be a 'white witch'??). Daniel, Wooley and Jennifer drive to the oak they were imprisoned in, and crash land ,after an aerial drive. Strangely, none is hurt. However, Daniel calls Jennifer's spirit to abandon her body, saying that Wooley's punishment will be the imminent loss of Jennifer, who is no longer a witch. Before Daniel can nudge her back into the tree, her spirit reenters her body and brings it back to life, she saying that "Love is stronger than witchcraft" Daniel is trapped inside a bottle of spirits, and kept on a shelf for the future. Meanwhile, Jennifer and Wooley live a happy life, with several children.
To me, this film is more interesting than "Topper". Partly, this is because of the additional interesting factor of witchcraft, along with ghosts that can change back and forth between the visible and invisible. Partly, it's because of the looks and film personality of Veronica Lake. Surely, her long blond hair, sexily arranged mostly over one side of her head is a significant part of her appeal. But, also her manner of speaking and coquettish personality are important. On the other hand, Frederic March, as Wooley, was poorly cast. He came across as too straight-laced, which even a Veronica would have difficulty loosening up. Veronica hated March's condescending attitude toward her. The girls were left to mostly carry the film. Also, March was 45 and looked early middle-aged. Veronica, at 20, seemed too young for him . Actually, I thought Susan(Estelle) had more potential as a politician's partner, but maybe that was just because she was older. It would have been nice if Bing Crosby or Bob Hope, also at Paramount, could have taken the role of Wooley. Cecil Kellaway was good, as Daniel.