Category: Hocus Pocus Anniversary

New Hocus Pocus Products Coming Soon! March 2023

3/31/2023

This year marks 30 years since the first Hocus Pocus film was released and even though it's only March, we're already being treated to heaps of new products that are due for release this year.

This is just a handful of new products that will be available and as we're only just about to leave Q1 of this year, you can definitely expect even more witchy treats to come.

Check out just a handful of new products below and let me know what you think in the comments!

Official Hocus Pocus Cookbook

If you love baking, you're in for a real treat this year, as there are currently multiple new Hocus Pocus cookbooks planned for release.

The first of these new releases comes from Insight Editions who are releasing an official cookbook that will also be available in various bundles.

The Hocus Pocus Cookbook contains more than 50 recipes inspired by the firm and it's available currently in one of three different options. The first option is the cookbook that comes with an Old Burial Hill stand. This set is available for pre-order now and is priced at $50.

The second swaps the stand for a cauldron themed apron and this set is priced at $39.99 and the third option is the book without the extras. You can pre-order the book in the UK here and in the USA here.

In 2021 we saw the first unofficial cookbook released and if you were a fan of this release, you'll be pleased to know a second book is due for release this year too. This time the book is aimed at Kids and contains 50 fun recipes. This release from Bridget Thoreson is available to pre-order in the UK here and in the USA here. The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook For Kids is due for release September 2023.

Hocus Pocus 2024 Calendar

It might be the end of March 2023 but the 2024 calendar is already available for pre-order! This new 16 month calendar features classic artwork and is due for release July 2023. You can pre-order the 2024 calendar right here.

Hocus Pocus Tarot Cards

2022 saw the release of the first official set of Hocus Pocus tarot cards. The release was one of my favourite products from last year and if you were a fan of the first release, you'll love the second, as they're re-releasing the set in a new Mega Size!

The exact size of these new cards has yet to be revealed however you can pre-order the new set right here, which is due to be released this October.

Hocus Pocus Ornament From Jim Shore

Jim Shore ornaments are always super popular and with an already an extensive Disney range available, it's no surprise that the Sanderson Sisters have finally been added to their catalogue.

I absolutely adore this ornament and cannot wait for it to be released this July. The ornament features the Sanderson Sisters around a bubbling cauldron. Emily Binx's gravestone can be seen in the base and the words "I Put A Spell On You" is written across the cauldron.

You can pre-order this now in the UK right here and in the USA here.

Hocus Pocus Candles and Diffuser

The last new Hocus Pocus products on this months list are these upcoming Hocus Pocus Candles and new Reed Diffuser.

You'll be to get your hands on a set of three Hocus Pocus candles, Large Potion Bottle Candle and a Broom Squad Essential Oil Reed Diffuser.

These new products will be released from Ukonic and you can check them out right here.

Thanks so much for reading this article! I actually share a whole load of Halloween things on my instagram so if you'd also like to follow my daily (almost) updates then head on over to HERE. You can also follow on Facebook or join the new mailing list right HERE

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Hocus Pocus: Exploring The original Script! Part 1

6/29/2021

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I recently got my hands on something I never thought I would ever own, being a HUGE Hocus Pocus fan and collector, I have always wanted to get my hands on anything to do with the original film and although the closest thing to a prop I have would be a few autographs, that changed recently when I got my hands on an original shooting script!

The script was originally owned by two crew members. The first being P Berger who was an editor for the film. His name is crossed out with black pen and instead B Ricker has been written underneath. B Ricker was a set designer for the film and I remember many years ago when this was first listed for Sale. It was sold through Ebay and I sent the link over to a friend who grabbed it, cut to around 5/6 years later and that same script is now owned by myself and it is filled with all kinds of secrets that I will be diving into below.

The shooting script contains scenes that were filmed and ultimately cut from the final film, this includes deleted scenes that were not included in the 25th Anniversary release. What's more is that the original script also includes the original Candy Crow storyline which was cut completely from the film but did make it's way into the films tie-in novel.

Let's form a calming circle and begin!

The second page (after the title page) contains a brief description of each of the Sanderson Sisters, there isn't any information here that we don't already know about these witches, although "She's a mess" with regards to Sarah really made me laugh.

The opening to the film is almost identical to what we see on the screen too, however in the script the Candy Crow storyline is introduced the moment Thackery wakes up. When he sees his sister Emily is not asleep in her bed, he finds a half eaten candy crow under her pillow. Thackery even states this to Elijah when running out of the house to see if Emily is within sight.

"She ate their candy and now they lure her with their music"

There is also a mention before this of the boys going fishing the day before and leaving Emily in alone in the woods.

Thackery reaches the Sanderson Sisters house and sees that Sarah has opened the door for her and Emily;
"Come inside, child and play. There are many sweets for thee"

The smoke that billows from the chimney is also different, instead of rising purple smoke, the script states the smoke as 'coming out of the chimney in the shape of demons and beasts forming and unforming in the vapors'.

In the film Thackery climbs up the water wheel and into the small window at the top. His entrance into the house is a little more dangerous in the script. When he ducks down to avoid being seen, his nightshirt gets caught on the waterwheel and he ends up being dragged under the water. He is then dragged around the opposite side, manages to grab a tree branch and pull himself up into the window. In this scene in the film, Thackery is soaking wet as he climbs the water wheel, which makes me wonder if this scene was filmed at all.

Cut to Winifred in front of the spell book, she pets the book and Mary reaches out to do the same but is swiped away by Winnie who says "Never touch my book"

Mary: "M-m-my fault , sister. Thou are right. I am wrong. As usual"

When the potion is ready Mary says to Winnie "Oh Winnie, thou art divine" however in the script she says "Thou art my idol, sister". Mary also dabs a small amount of the potion behind her ears which Winnie sees and smacks her around the back of her head. "Good Point" Mary says in response.

Thackery jumps down from the rafters and pours the potion out, in the script he jumps down and is grabbed by Sarah who runs her fingers through her hair and says:

"He smells so sweet".

Mary: "Don't be frightened, little boy. We're here to serve you. (a beat) With Garnish" she finds herself hysterical, Winnifred does not.

Thackery then pushes Mary into the cauldron who causes it to tip over.

Upon drinking the potion, all three sisters comment on how young they are. The script has them all chanting together after this:
All
"Beauties of Beliar,
Quite triangular,
We are sisters toiling twisters"

Winifred:
"Knit a witch knot,
And live thee forever"

Mary & Sarah:
"Ickie-tao,
Ickie0too-tao,
Ickie-tee-tao."

We jump to the townsfolk trying to beat the door down and instead of Sarah screaming "Sucking the lives out of little children!" inside the house and then being strangled by Winnie, she instead opens the door and screams it to the townsfolk.
The deleted scene where Mary asks "Did I leave the cauldron burning?" is also in the script which makes more sense when we see her say "I knew I left this cauldron on, didn't I tell you?" later on in the film. It seems odd this small line was cut.

The book is then dropped and opens to a page titled Spells for Immortal Life.

Winifred:
"Fools! All of you! My ungodly book speak to you;
One Hallowed Eve when the Moon is round.
A virgin will summon us from the ground.
Golaten omnes Saculorem tuba mirum est!"

It is then Winnie who kicks the plank from beneath them all and not the townspeople. She ultimately kills herself and her sisters as the spell has already been cast.

We cut to the school now and as Max paasses the teacher to leave the classroom Miss Olin says to him:

"Happy Halloween! Tell Mr . Hendrix I said hello".

Miss Olin is in such a small scene but it's so memorable. I would love to see this scene included once again so we can see a little more of her.

Alison hands Max his phone number back outside the school as she walks away and a reference to Allison's appearance is stated when 'Max sees that her cape resembles a witch's cape'.

Not much is different in the scene where Max is confronted by Ernie and Ice, apart from the scene where Max says:

"Maybe you could learn to breath through your nose".

In the film, Jay laughs and in the script neither of them get it but know it's some kind of insult.

As Max rides closer to his house the script states that that there is someone secretly watching Max from the upstairs window (Dani before she scares him).

Dani jumps from his closet and is described as:
She is wearing a very eccentric witch's costume, complete with chicken bone earrings, fifties glasses, blood red lipstick, and a ratty old stole.

The next cut scene you can also watch in the 25th Anniversary release. This is the scene where Max is talking to his Dad, Dave who tells him that if he doesn't take Dani trick or treating, he won't get his drivers permit. Dave also mentions Allison as Dani has told her Dad. The next scene is Max and Dani getting ready to leave for the night and then we cut into another deleted scene which can be seen on the 25th Anniversary release too, which is Dave and Jenny (Mom) talking on the porch about maybe being too hard on Max.

The first house they both visit is fully decorated and when they knock, the door to the house is 'pulled violently open' to reveal a man dressed as the Devil!

The Devil: "Abandon all hope, ye who ring my doorbell! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Max and Dani are totally unfrightened.

Dani: "Trick or Treat"

The Devil: "Well, well, well. What have we here? A little witch, and... a kid wearing sunglasses..."

Max: "I'm a psychotic teenager"

The Devil: "Excellent. Excellent"

Quick Cuts. Intercut with Halloween scenes we see Max and Dani standing in the doorways of various houses, where Max explains what his costume is...

Max: "I'm a blind centre fielder... i'm Christian Slater... I'm Jack Nicholson's long lost zombie son... I'm an illegal alien from Finland... I'm Ray Charles... I'm her brother...."

The next different scene is the scene right after Jay and Ernie have taken the candy. Dani throws herself on the ground after Max tells her to "get out of my life".

Max: "Hey, Dan --"

Dani: "Shut up! I hate you. You've ruined everything. You ruined Halloween and it was my favourite holiday except Christmas and my birthday"

The rest of the scenes are the same with minor differences until we reach the Sanderson House... which i'll dlve into in part 2.

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Twenty Seven Hocus Pocus Facts To Celebrate 27 Years

7/16/2020

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It's been 27 years right down to the day that Hocus Pocus first hit cinemas and what a wonderful 27 years its been!

From box office bomb to one of the biggest Halloween films on the planet, this film has definitely had a bumpy ride along the way.

It was originally released on this day (July 16th) in 1993, with the UK receiving the film during October of the same year. Over the years the film has grown with every Halloween and is even shown multiples times throughout October on tv.

So to celebrate one of the greatest Halloween films ever made, here's 27 bewitching facts for you to sink your teeth into.

1 - Hocus Pocus was originally created as a story by writer David Kirschner. He would read the story to his children before bed.

2 - Although a Halloween film, it was originally released in July 1993 and didn't perform as well as Disney had hoped. Created on a budget of $28 million, the film ended up making just over $39 million in the end.

3 - Sarah Jessica Parker absolutely loved flying on her broom, so much so that she would often spend hours at a time suspended on her broom while learning her lines.

4 - A scene cut from the film (but available on the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray) features Mary asking if the towns people can check to see if she left her cauldron on before she is hanged. When the Sanderson Sisters return from the dead she exclaims "I knew I left this cauldron on, didn't I tell you!"

5 - Bette Midler has stated that Winifred Sanderson is her all time favourite role she has ever played.

6 - Rosie O'Donnell was originally offered the role of Mary but turned it down as she didn't want to play a scary witch. Kathy Najimy also wanted the role as she was desperate to work with Bette Midler due to being such a big fan.

7 - Although featured in an original trailer a whole bunch of deleted scenes didn't make it to the 25th Anniversary Blu ray. These scenes include the Sanderson Sisters at the pool, in a supermarket and additional scenes with trick or treaters. They are referenced but the actual scenes are not shown.

8 - An original idea for the film was that the witches would trick the children by feeding them candy crows. In two deleted scenes (that once again didn't make it to the 25th anniversary blu-ray) we see the Sanderson Sisters at a supermarket buying ingredients for the candy crows and in another we see them handing them out.

9 - The Hocus Pocus sequel book isn't the only official Hocus Pocus book.... a novelisation of the film was released to coincide with the films release and actually features many of the deleted scenes and the candy crow storyline. You can still get your hands on the book from sites like ebay but expect to pay a pretty penny for a copy.

10 - The film has several alternative names. In Mexico and Venezuela it was released as Abracadabra and in France it was known as Hocus Pocus: Les trois sorcières which translates to The Three Witches.

11 - Hocus Pocus takes place on Halloween night in 1993. In the film there is a full moon but in reality there wasn't a full moon that night. The last time it was a full moon on Halloween was in 1974.

12 - Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimi have all agreed to doing a sequel and although there are many rumours of a sequel in production for Disney+, there hasn't actually been any official announcement from Disney themselves.

13 - Thackery Binx was actually played by two different actors. Human Binx was played by Sean Murray while his voice was from Jason Marsden.

14 - The Sanderson Sisters were hanged in Salem on October 31st 1693. In reality the Salem Witch Trials ended in 1692 and so no hangings would have occurred.

15 - The scene where Billy cuts open his mouth and moths fly out actually featured real moths. A special mouth rig was created and placed inside Doug Jones' mouth to stop him from swallowing any of the moths. When the time came he was able to breath out enough air to push the moths out of his mouth and create the famous scene.

16 - Towards the end of the film the Sanderson Sisters take flight into the night and Sarah begins to sing (The song's original title is actually Garden of Magic). The scene of all three sisters flying over Salem was actually created using puppets. Each of the sisters were created as miniature puppets on brooms/a vacuum.

17 - Satan and his wife were played by Penny and Garry Marshall. In real life they were actually brother and sister.

18 - The original title for Hocus Pocus was Halloween House. Early scripts even had this title, it was later changed to the movies name that we all love.

19 - Sarah Jessica Parker discovered that her 10th Great Grandmother was originally accused in Salem of witchcraft in 1692. Esther Elwell was accused of committing "Sundry acts of witchcraft". This was discovered when Parker took part in an episode of Who Do You Think You Are.

20 - The film was originally slated to be a Disney Channel original movie and there were no plans to release it in cinemas. Disney saw potential in the film and wanted to see if it would be a huge hit. Although it has reached cult status over time, maybe releasing the film in October and not July would have ensured it was a bigger hit in 1993...

21 - Real cats were used to play Binx. Kenny Ortega has stated that nine cats were used in total and each one was used for different scenes. An animatronic cat and cgi were also used. Even by today's standards, the effects created to bring Binx to life are still extremely effective.

22 - The song "Almost Unreal" by Roxette was written by Per Gessie as a theme song for Hocus Pocus. It was later scrappe and instead used for the live action Super Mario Bros film. Doesn't really fit at all though does it?

23 - A mini animated series was released via the official Hocus Pocus Facebook page for the 25th anniversary. The short-lived series is called The Brew and only consists of 5 episodes and they're extremely fun to watch. Personally I had hoped for more episodes the following year but it seems as though Disney has put the animated series to bed.

24 - The colours of Max Dennisons tie-dyed t- shirt all coincide with the colours of the three witches. Red for Mary, purple for Sarah and green for Winifred.

25 - During scenes where there are a large number of children trick or treating, various costumes are actually famous characters from different movies and games. Mrs Potts from Beauty and the Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog and even Michael Myers from Halloween all make a very brief appearance.

26 - In the scene where the witches suck the life force out of Emily Binx, she slumps over and is apparently dead. When the Sanderson Sisters begin to dance you can see Amanda Shepherd, who plays Emily, move a little.

27 - The house that Allison lives in was also used in American Beauty, which also stars Thora Birch. In reality the house is only a few doors down from the real Witch House in Salem.

Thanks so much for reading this article! I actually share a whole load of Halloween things on my instagram so if you'd also like to follow my daily (almost) updates then head on over to HERE.