In 1672 two witches (Jennifer and her father Daniel) were burned by puritan Jonathan Wooley. In revenge Jennifer cursed all future generations of the Wooley family that the sons will always marry the wrong woman and be miserable. In the 20th century a bolt of lightning frees Jennifer and her father from the tree that had kept their souls imprisoned. Jennifer assumes corporeal form and decides to make up-and-coming politician Wallace Wooley then unhappily engaged even more miserable by getting him to fall in love with her before his wedding. Wallace is a straight arrow though and Jennifer has to resort to a love potion. As we all know love potions tend to backfire with comedic results.
Review
The summary line only applies to the film however.
This movie was intended by the studio for Joel McCrea. After making Sullivan's Travels McCrea informed the top brass that he could not make another film with Veronica Lake. The role instead went to Fredric March who declared "I Married a Witch" the most horrendous experience he'd ever had. It should be added that McCrea did work with Lake again 5 years later after he had time to heal.
I have no idea why these actors had problems with this tiny beautiful woman. "I Married a Witch" is a delightful light comedy which I suppose is the basis for "Bewitched." Apparently these Salem witches cursed an entire family so that they would be unlucky in love and the movie quickly takes us through the generations of miserable men (all March in assorted wigs) until it gets to the present when March a gubernatorial candidate is set to marry a human witch (Susan Hayward). When lightning strikes a tree which was grown over the ashes of burned witches Lake and her father escape. She takes human form and March "saves" her from a fire (that her father started). Then she mistakenly drinks a potion intended for him and the situation really takes off.
Lake was 23 when this film was made March was 45 and McCrea had he made the movie was 37. The very dignified March made a great politician as the character in this film is but he comes off as too old to be marrying Hayward or getting involved with Lake. Yes we all know it happens. But this type of film was not March's métier. Eight years younger and ever boyish of course McCrea was more suited to the role in looks and acting.
My favorite scene is the botched wedding in which the soprano has to sing the beginning of "I Love You Truly" over and over as Susan Hayward becomes increasingly outraged. It's a young Hayward but all the feistiness and strength is apparent.
Cecil Kellaway is Lake's father and he gives a fine performance. Although her costars may not have agreed I found Lake funny and beautiful in this movie and it's a shame the last years of her life were spent as they were. She had a lovely screen presence.