Hocus Pocus - Salem Puts A Spell On You

Salem, Massachusetts celebrates 25 years of ‘Hocus Pocus’
by Kathy Witt

“I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine.”

In 1993, Bette Midler, in her inimitable role as witch Winifred Sanderson, cast a spell on fans of “Hocus Pocus,” and Salem, Massachusetts does likewise to its visitors.

“Hocus Pocus” is one of many movies that have been filmed in Witch City, an atmospheric setting for celluloid for centuries, having first been captured on film in 1899 in the 17-minute black and white silent film, “Welcome home.” Of much more recent vintage, the Disney comedy/drama was filmed nearly three centuries after the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

Salem straddles a fine line, honoring those falsely accused during the witch hysteria of the late 17th century and resulting Witch Trials – when 150 were falsely accused of witchcraft and 19 innocent men and women were hanged and one man was pressed to death with stones – while having fun with its image as a bewitched seaport and site of ghostly tours, witchy haunts and spirited attractions.

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Somehow, this sleepy, walkable village – home to practicing witches, shops filled with candles, crystal balls and spell kits, three cemeteries significant to the 1692 Witch Trials, the Witch Trials Memorial and, connecting all the must-see’s, the Salem Heritage Trail – manages to pull off both with equal parts reverence and respect, even in October when Salem hosts the month-long Haunted Happenings.

Learn about the film sites of “Hocus Pocus” and many others on one or more of Salem’s outstanding tours, including Spellbound Tours, Salem Historic Tours and Salem Trolley Tours.

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Six “Hocus Pocus” film sites

• Pioneer Village: America’s oldest living history museum, depicting Salem circa 1630, starred in the opening scenes of the movie and introduced moviegoers to young Thackery Binx, pre-cat form.
• Phillips Elementary School – Max and Allison’s school.
• The Ropes Mansion: Owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, this stepped into the role of Allison’s House.
• Old Town Hall: Remember Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson belting out, “Ah say into pi, alpha maybe upendi!”? It happened here during the community’s Halloween party. Today, the building hosts the Salem Museum and performances of Cry Innocent, the critically-acclaimed live reenactment of the witchcraft examination of Bridget Bishop.
• Salem Common: Outdoor scenes were shot here, which is also where the film is shown each year during Haunted Happenings.
• 4 Ocean Avenue: See the exterior of Max and Dani’s house from the street, but know that it is a private residence.

Five witchy wonders

• Cry Innocent – a moving and interactive theatrical presentation that sets the scene for any visit to Salem.
• Salem Witch Museum – the sobering and immersive presentation that takes place in a nearly 175-year-old Gothic Revival-style former church is based on actual Witch Trial documents and shows why this is Salem’s most visited museum.
• Witch Dungeon Museum – Adding another layer of horror to the Witch Trials story is this live re-enactment followed by a tour of the recreated dungeon where creepy dioramas include bodies hanging from the gallows. The museum has an original beam from Salem’s actual dungeon.
• Witch Pix – pure fun and a fab souvenir, with elaborate handmade witch costumes to play dress-up in while starring in your own photoshoot with backdrops including the moon, forest or lair.
• Court Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery – for fans of horror movies, movie monsters and all things macabre, this museum is not to be missed. Fans of “Hocus Pocus” will find a figure of Winifred Sanderson in all her flaming-haired, buck-toothed glory.

PHOTOS

Salem, Massachusetts is gorgeous in the fall when its busiest season, Haunted Happenings, takes place.
Photo: S. Jean Johnson

The prominent 18th-century Ropes Mansion starred as Allison’s House in the 1993 movie, “Hocus Pocus.” The gardens, located in the rear of the property, are free to visit and open to the public.
Photo: Kathy Witt

Dr. Vitka, professional paranormal investigator and Spellbound Tours guide notes he and his tour guests have seen some very strange things happen over the years on the tour, including a young woman who believes her necklace was yanked off her neck and swears it was the ghost of Giles Corey, the only Witch Trials victim pressed to death.
Photo: Kathy Witt

Visitors become part of the Puritan jury during Cry Innocent’s Witch Trial featuring Bridget Bishop, who has been accused of witchcraft.
Photo: Kathy Witt

The Witch Dungeon Museum features an award-winning live reenactment of a 1692 witch trial, followed by a guided tour of the dungeon.
Photo: Kathy Witt

Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery, a unique cinematic monster museum for horror genre fans, is home to an impressive figure of Winifred Sanderson as portrayed by Bette Midler.
Photo: Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery

Striking in its simplicity, the Witch Trials Memorial is surrounded on three sides by a handcrafted granite wall. Inscribed in the stone threshold are the victims’ protests of innocence. 
Photo: Kate Fox

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