20 best film witches of all time
The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)
For the kids in the audience, many of the above movies could be a little much. But there’s hope. If you want a Halloween tale that’s fun with just the right edge of menace and spookiness, look no further than Hocus Pocus.
If you’re of a particular age, then you’re already familiar with this Disney film. It’s practically a classic, despite its 1993 release date. Anyone with cable TV can tell you that you might as well like it, given the near-endless repeats of the movie come Halloween time. All pretty good for a movie that The New York Times reviewer Janet Maslin called “an unholy mess”. Film critic Roger Ebert was especially skeptical of Bette Midler’s performance. He claimed that Midler “tries to use noise as a substitute for acting”. Ouch.
However, many young adults would vehemently disagree. Sure, it may have its awkward spots. 1990s kid actors were not known for their greatness, and that animatronic black cat looks strange nowadays. Still, it’s delightfully spooky. That’s thanks in large part to the witches at the center of the action.
The movie beings in 1693, when the Salem-based Sanderson sisters are caught stealing the youth of a young girl named Emily. Winnie (Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) are set to live forever and look good doing it. They just need a steady supply of children’s life forces to reach their goals.
Emily’s brother Thackery tries to rescue her, but the sisters turn him into an immortal black cat for getting in their way. The townsfolk still capture the sisters, but not before they do some tricky spellcasting to ensure their return. As long as a virgin lights their special Black Flame Candle, the Sanderson sisters will make their way back to the world of the living.
Of course, that exact situation happens in 1993. Young Max lights the candle while investigating the still-standing Sanderson cottage, because why not? In quick order, the sisters return and beginning causing trouble throughout Salem on Halloween night. They nearly enslave the entire adult population of the town and drain all of the children’s souls, but are defeated at the last minute.
Sounds scary, but it’s actually a lot of fun. And, no matter what Robert Ebert believed, we still think Bette Midler gave a memorable and delightfully over the top performance.