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 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.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
"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"
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"
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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