The Immortality of Hocus Pocus
Gather ‘round the cauldron and giggle at this now classic Halloween flick.
When it comes to Halloween movies that the entire family can enjoy, Hocus Pocus probably tops a lot of people’s list. Released in the summer of ’93, which seems like a stupid choice on the studio’s part, this movie wasn’t popular when it was in the theaters. I never understand why a studio decides to release a seasonal film outside of its season, but what do I know? Considering how loved the movie is now, I guess it all worked out in the end.
The plot is simple: a family moves from Los Angeles to Salem, Massachusetts. Max, the son and big brother, is having a hard time adjusting to life in this historical town that is obsessed with Halloween. In an attempt to impress a girl he has a crush on, he lights a cursed candle and brings back the terrorizing Sanderson sisters that were executed in 1693 for being witches. The rest of Max’s Halloween night is spent dodging these scary sisters, protecting his own little sister, Dani, from them, and trying to send the Sandersons back to the netherworld before it’s too late.
The movie features some big hitters as the Sanderson sisters. Bette Midler plays Winifred Sanderson, the eldest, bossiest, and meanest of the three sisters. Sarah Jessica Parker is Sarah Sanderson, the witchy sister that uses her looks to get what she wants but is totally clueless and quite idiotic. Finally, playing Mary Sanderson, is Kathy Najimy, who is just as dumb as Sarah, slightly timid, and always at the beck and call of Winifred.
Honestly, Midler, Parker, and Najimy create some of the best parts of this movie. The most entertaining moments come from these three as they try to navigate the modern world they’ve been thrust into, all while desperately trying to steal the souls of children, so they can reclaim their immortality.
As they bumble around town trying to find their magic spell book, they come across different things that confuse and intrigue them. They are scared of roads because they look like rivers of tar, think that a man dressed as the devil is the actual devil that they worship, believe that a car’s headlights is the sun rising (which spells imminent death for them), and a host of other scenes where they are bewildered by the 90s world they are navigating. Watching the sisters react to these things brings hefty chuckles.
I also like that the film features a little musical number sung primarily by Midler. Her portrayal as Winifred is funny as she barks orders at her sisters and is bamboozled every time she comes close to catching Dani, but her real chops have always rested on her incredible voice. Her rendition of “I Put a Spell on You” is upbeat, charming, and gives this kids movie that extra touch of magic.
The movie’s popularity not only includes people watching it during the season, but go to any Halloween party and you are sure to find someone dressed as a Sanderson sister. Mention the name Thackery Binx and a slew of people will know exactly what character is being referenced. 30 years after its release, Hocus Pocus still brings a witchy good time and is ingrained in our pop culture history.