Category: Spirit Halloween

Interview: Worlds Biggest Hocus Pocus Fan!

1/31/2022

If you've been reading my blog for a while now or even if you're new (waves at the new readers), you'll have most likely guessed that I'm a big fan of Hocus Pocus. I love absolutely everything about it and will keep loving it until the sun rises and I turn to dust in my old age...

With that being said, there is one person who I would definitely say is a bigger fan than myself and that would be the wonderful Ally or as many of you might know her as @HocusPocusCollector. Ally has quite possibly the biggest and best Hocus Pocus collection in existence and over the years i'm very pleased to say we have become friends through our mutual love for this film.

Ally is constantly sharing her collection online and also shares little glimmers into her life and the experiences she has been able to have through Hocus Pocus and its community. Highlights include meeting the cast and crew, all the way to owning one of the coolest production pieces around. Ally's account and her love for Hocus Pocus is incredible and it's always a joy to see appear on my social feeds.

So my praising aside, lets learn a little more about the world's biggest Hocus Pocus fan!

Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Ally and I’m from Connecticut, US. When I’m not creating content for HPC, I am a contract lawyer. I have loved fall and Halloween for as long as I can remember!

What do you think first drew you into Hocus Pocus?
The magic of it all! The storyline is written perfectly, the casting was so well done, and I especially love the music. Whenever you watch the movie, no matter what time of year, it brings you right back to fall in Salem.

What is your favourite scene from the film?
There are so many great scenes, but my favorite would have to be the end scene of the movie when Thackery’s spirit interacts with Dani. I tear up every time! A close second would be Winifred singing “I Put a Spell on You” at the Town Hall Halloween party.

Favourite character and why?
Winifred Sanderson. She is spunky, clever, and witty, while also bringing humor into the movie. She definitely makes it known she is head witch in charge!

Favourite line from the movie?
I have two – “I shall always be with you.” – spirit Thackery to Dani. And, “Wench, trollop, you buck tooth, mop riding, firefly from hell!” – Billy to Winifred.

Hocus Pocus merchandise used to be so hard to come across and is now almost everywhere. Can you remember the first item that wasn’t a Dvd/Vhs that you managed to get your hands on?
I had my replica of Winifred’s book made from an Etsy seller years back and that was the first item I had outside of copies of the film. I think my collection really started to grow when Spirit Halloween launched their Hocus Pocus line and the first item that I became obsessed with were the blind bag mystery keychains. I ended up getting the full set along with the display box, and that was the true beginning of HPC.

This replica spell book and Black Flame Candle are a thing of beauty!

Out of your entire Hocus Pocus collection, what would you say are the top three things that you own?
My favorite item is the original blueprint of the Sanderson Sister’s Cottage. I was able to authenticate it with someone from production and it is amazing to own such a unique piece. My other favorites would probably be my book replica and all of the press material from the release of the movie – posters, press kits, etc. I also own over 50 different versions of the movie!

How cool are these? The original Blue Prints for the Sanderson Sisters House!

Over the years you have had the opportunity to take part in a number of Hocus Pocus related things and you've even spoken to a large amount of the cast and crew. Is there one thing that stands out, that you would say was the best experience with regards to your love for Hocus Pocus?
Two words: Doug Jones. I was able to meet him this past fall and he was honestly one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. The night the convention ended before he headed out to dinner, a friend and I chatted with him for over an hour in the lobby of our hotel. It felt like he was an old friend! For being as well known and famous as he is, he was so down to earth and fun to talk to. All of the cast I’ve met have been incredibly nice but hanging with Doug that night is a memory I will never forget. I also loved visiting Salem and bringing photos from the movie back to the scenes where they were filmed.

Along with Doug Jones, Ally has also had the pleasure of meeting Tobias Jelinek and Larry Bagby played Jay and 'Ice' respectively.

Hocus Pocus merchandise is huge now and you can purchase official products from all kinds of different stores and brands. Are there any products or characters you would like to see made into merchandise in the future?
I would love to see an expansion of the Funko Pop line. I was thrilled when we originally got all three of the Sisters in Pop form, but I would love to have a full line of characters from HP1. I’d especially love to see Jay and Ice in their cages as a movie moment!

Is there a particular product or range from a company that you look forward to the most each year?
I love Spirit Halloween’s line each year and they are always seeming to get better! In the past two years or so, the TJ Maxx/Marshall’s/Home Goods family of stores has also gotten a lot of great products in stock. I always keep an eye on Etsy shops and small home businesses throughout the season as they have some of the most creative and best quality items around.

How do you store all of your collection?
I have a display case in my basement that holds a lot of my collection. All of my clothing and other similar items are in totes. Over the past few years with the influx of items, I have had to become creative with storage and where to put things! I am always moving stuff around as new items come in.

Don't let this cabinet fool you! Ally's collection is endless with new items being added all the time, this is just a fraction of the incredible treats she has collected over the years.

On a scale of one to ten…. How excited are you for Hocus Pocus 2?
Definitely a 10! We have waited so long for this and had seen fake movie posters and heard rumours for years that it was happening. When I heard in the fall of 2020 that it was actually going to happen, I told myself I wouldn’t believe it until I saw signed contracts and the Sanderson Sisters were back in costume. In May of 2021, they announced all three actresses were coming back as the Sisters and in November we got the official first look at them in their costumes – it all finally felt real. I’ve always been nervous about a sequel because the first one was done so perfectly, but they have brought in a great crew of producers, writers, directors, John Debney will be back composing the music, and of course, Bette, Kathy, Sarah Jessica, and Doug reprising their roles. I don’t think they would have signed on to the sequel if they didn’t like the direction the script headed in, so I don’t think we will be disappointed. I am hopeful for some cameos from original characters, though!

Any advice for anyone thinking of collecting Hocus Pocus merchandise or just collecting in general?
Get as much space as you can! I never intended on my collection growing to this size or there ever being this much merchandise. I would also recommend keeping a list of your “must have” items so when they come around, you don’t have to debate – just grab it before it’s gone. Finally, have fun with it! Get whatever pieces you want in your collection, don’t buy just to buy. If you don’t love something that everyone else seems to have, don’t get it, that is what makes everyone’s collections so special and unique.

And finally a few Halloween questions just for fun!

Apart from Hocus Pocus… what’s your favourite Halloween film?
I am a big fan of the Halloween series. The original 1978 is my favorite but I am very much enjoying the 2018 sequel and the 2021 Halloween Kills was great. I am looking forward to Halloween Ends this year. I also love the lesser-known Grinch’s Halloween special – Halloween is Grinch Night. It’s trippy, but very fun and has a lot of catchy songs!

What’s the best Halloween Candy?
100 Grand Bars or any combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

You’re going to a Halloween Fancy Dress Party as…?
Probably a fancy witch from the 1600’s!

When Ally visited Salem she took with her photos of various scenes from the film and then matched them with their locations around city.

If you would like to check out the maaannnyyyy more pictures of Ally's collection and also keep up to date with all things Hocus Pocus, you can follow Ally on Instagram and Facebook.

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 now too!

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