Watch: Trivia & Hidden “Easter Eggs” in Halloween Classic, ‘Hocus Pocus’
Max Dennison was almost played by Leo DiCaprio
We almost didn’t get to see Omri Katz as the title role, Max Dennison… Up-and-coming child actor Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the role first, but turned it down to shoot “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”. Also, Omri Katz was really sick at the time of his first audition and was initially rejected for the part. Thank goodness they gave him another shot! Personally, I can’t imagine anyone else as Max Dennison, but I’m sure Leo woulda done a great job.
Other celebs who were almost cast
Jennifer Lopez auditioned for the role of Sarah Sanderson that eventually went to Sarah Jessica Parker. Also, the role of Mary Sanderson was originally offered to Rosie O’Donnell who turned it down before it was given to Kathy Najimi. Cloris Leachman was producers’ first choice to play Winifred Sanderson- thank goodness it ended up going to Bette Midler who has since said in multiple interviews that Winifred is her favorite role of her entire career!
The creepy crawlies they ate were real!
Yummy spiders! Sarah Jessica Parker revealed in an interview that yes, she actually ate a spider (!!) in the scene where Winnifred is explaining her plans to “find the book, brew the potion, and suck the lives out of the children of Salem before sunrise”. Also, in a 20th anniversary special interview, Doug Jones (Good Zombie, Billy Butcherson) revealed that the moths that fly out of his mouth at the end WERE REAL. Meaning, he had live moths flying around in there until he “slices” his mouth open with a knife! GROSS.
The script sat on a shelf for 10 years after Steven Spielberg turned it down
Disney originally bought the script of ‘Hocus Pocus’ all the way back in 1984 but didn’t make/release the film until almost a decade later 1993. The original script was apparently MUCH scarier and darker, but we’ll never know…The writers originally pitched the project to Steven Spielberg but he turned it down saying he didn’t want to work with Disney (his biggest competitor at the time). There were rumors Disney almost turned ‘Hocus Pocus’ into a made for TV movie (a la ‘Halloweentown’!) but decided to go for the big blockbuster release in movie theaters.
The Devil is in the details
The Devil and his wife are played by famous comics Gary Marshall and his sister Penny Marshall! Talk about a creepy version of Oedipal sibling rivalry. Another devilishly fun fact? The Devil’s dog Ralph is actually played by Kathy Najimi’s personal pet pup!
References to Bette Midler’s musical theatre career
When Bette Midler takes the stage at the town Halloween Party as Winifred Sanderson, she introduces herself by first saying "Hello Salem, my name is Winifred. What's yours?" into the mic. This is a nod to the famous line, "Hello everybody, my name is Rose, what's yours?" spoken by Madam Rose in the musical "Gypsy". Midler played Madam Rose in the television version, Gypsy (1993). Also, early in the film, Mary tells Winifred, "Winifred, thou art divine!" Bette Midler is known in show business for her nickname, "The Divine Miss M."
Winifred & Mary are named after real victims of the New England witch hunts
A lovely historical Easter Egg lies in the names of two of the Sanerson Sisters. The last witch trial in the New England witchcraft scare of the late 1600’s was of a mother and daughter, both named Winifred (Winifred Benham) in 1697. Winifred Sr's mother was named Mary (Mary Hale), and she was also accused of witchcraft. The characters of Winifred and Mary Sanderson are an homage to these victims of the New England witch hunt.
Hidden Jokes for the Grown Ups
At the beginning when Max is in school listening to the teacher’s story about the Sanderson sisters, you can see he’s doodled “The Grateful Dead” complete with a big ol’ marijuana leaf on top in his notebook. Also, when Billy Butcherson’s hand gets run over by the bus, his fingers get stuck under the manhole cover, leaving his middle finger waving to the camera & flippin’ us the bird for a good while before it falls off.
‘Hocus Pocus’ locations that turn up in other films & TV
When the kids are celebrating after burning the Sanderson Sisters in the kiln, there are many other hidden famous filming locations hidden in the background! For example, the fountain behind Dani and Allison was the fountain used in the opening credits of ‘Friends’. Also, the house directly behind Max and Thackery while they talk in this scene was also used as Thora Birch's home in 1999's Oscar-winning movie ‘American Beauty’. Also behind Max, you can also see the front of the house from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and just down the street is the witch house used on the classic 1960’s TV show ‘Bewitched’.
PAIRS WITH- Go: A self-guided walking tour of Salem, MA
See the filming locations of “Hocus Pocus”, learn about the real Salem Witch Trials, and so much more! Click the title to read all about my recommendations for what to do, see, eat, and buy if you have just 24 hours in the world’s witchiest city.