Bewitched
Oct 6, 2014 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
The cast of Bewitched, 1964
Can you believe Halloween is almost upon us? In honor of the spooky splendor coming our way, we’d like to pay tribute to one of our favorite witches, Samantha Stephens. Let us know about your happy Bewitched memories in the comments. If you’re planning to be a witch on the big day, check out our costume and vintage party tutorial.
All about Bewitched
If you aren’t familiar with this hit show, allow us to make a quick introduction. A popular comedy, Bewitched ran for eight seasons on the American Broadcasting Company, from 1964 to 1972. Set in the quaint suburb of Westport, Connecticut, it followed the lives of advertising executive Darrin and his stay-at-home-wife Samantha. Sounds average enough, right? But the twist – Samantha is a powerful witch who decides to forgo her magical destiny for a life with a mortal man. Needless to say, her family (most notably her sassy mom Endora) doesn’t exactly approve. All sorts of shenanigans ensue as the couple navigates daily life.
The updated Stephens family photo, 1971
In addition to having great plot lines that preached a message of tolerance and humor (which struck a chord during the country’s ongoing social tensions), the casting was extraordinary. Elizabeth Montgomery played Samantha, Dick York was Darrin during the first five seasons (followed by Dick Sargent), and the talented Agnes Moorehead brought Endora’s character to life.
What inspired Bewitched
The show’s creator, Sol Saks, may have found inspiration from Hollywood itself. Many credit two examples in particular: the 1942 film I Married A Witch starring Veronica Lake and the 1958 movie Bell, Book, and Candle starring the power duo Kim Novak and James Stewart. Beyond the silver screen’s influence, fans of vintage television will recognize that Bewitched writers also took cues from another popular program, I Love Lucy.
Even though this show echoed other ideas, its legacy extends beyond those films and beyond the scope of television itself. So twitch your nose and settle in for great fun – any time of the year!
Cause A Frockus would like to thank their tremendous resources: TV Land and the official site for Bewitched and Elizabeth Montgomery.
For our readers: How often do you practice your witch twitch?