arsportsltd Kim Novak was a Columbia star and went from a supporting role in Jack Lemmon's great Phfft to co star in Bell Book and Candle to lead and top billed over Jack Lemmon in this wickedly funny comedy mystery directed by Richard Quine. This was the last movie Kim Novak made at Columbia and ended a legendary relationship between studio and star where Kim made Picnic, Pal Joey, Bell Book and Candle, Strangers When We Meet among others and her declared favorite film Middle Of The Night. Looking at times like the fabled Jean Harlow Ms. Novak reaches the top of the stardom ladder in this film. To me Kim Novak was what a movie star looked like!

MartinHafer I saw this film for one reason--it starred Jack Lemmon. Lemmon was a very fine actor and I'd see him in just about anything. "The Notorious Landlady" must surely qualify as 'in just about anything'! The movie starts off very well but then just seems to drag on and on--becoming quite dull. Frankly, by the time it was over, I was more than ready.The film begins with a low-level American diplomat in London looking for an apartment. He happens upon a flat owned by an American--and it's odd, because practically EVERYONE in London seems to be an American in this film. Lemmon is thrilled to move in, as the landlady (Kim Novak) is very sexy. Soon they fall in love. However, things do NOT go smoothly, as he then is informed by his boss and Scotland Yard that she is suspected in the murder of her husband! What's to happen next? Well, although the film was very good at this point, the exact solution to the problem just never hit home for me. I wish that instead they had kept the film a romance--as the mystery and comedy seemed a bit thin. Overall, the actors tried but the script just wasn't very interesting.

sussmanbern The opening scenes of this movie have, as background music, the melody of the Gershwin song, A Foggy Day in London Town. This, despite the fact that there is no fog in those scenes. The song was introduced by Fred Astaire -- who plays a supporting role in this flick -- in his 1937 movie Damsel in Distress.SPOILER: The concluding scenes, which include a chase on the beach at Penzance, has background music from the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, The Pirates of Penzance (which was also made into two movies in 1982 and 1983), with a coda from a melody in Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. One other mystery movie in which music from the Pirates of Penzance was significant was The Hand That Rocks The Cradle.

bobschwarz27 This has got to be one of the funnest movies every produced. Jack Lemmon and Kim Novack are truly outstanding. Easy to follow with twist that keeps you guessing. Kim Novack is the attractive American landlady. Jack Lemmon is the Amertican diplomat. Together they make magic as the plot's twist and turns develop. This is a must see for Novack fans. If you like a good old fashion mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. and laughing, this is the film to see. Fred Astarie also gives a very good performance. As Jack Lemmon's boss, he to is taken with the charm and beauty of Novack. The laughs keep coming as the the two of them, Lemmon and Astaire, do everything in there power to help Novack in her time of need. If you love Kim Novack, Jack Lemmon, and Fred Astaire than this movie is for you.