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In what year was the original 'Hocus Pocus' movie released?
Despite its Halloween theme, 'Hocus Pocus' was released in theaters on July 16, 1993, by Walt Disney Pictures.
Who directed the 1993 film 'Hocus Pocus'?
The film was directed by Kenny Ortega, known for other Disney productions like the 'High School Musical' trilogy.
Which actor played the role of Max Dennison, the main teenage protagonist?
Omri Katz starred as Max Dennison, a cynical teenager who moves to Salem and accidentally resurrects the witches.
Who portrayed Winifred Sanderson, the leader of the Sanderson Sisters?
Bette Midler brought the iconic character of Winifred Sanderson to life, leading the trio of witches.
What was Thackery Binx's original form before being transformed by the witches?
Thackery Binx was originally a human boy in 1693 before Winifred Sanderson cursed him to live forever as a black cat.
In what real-life Massachusetts town is 'Hocus Pocus' primarily set?
The film is famously set in Salem, Massachusetts, a town known for its historical witch trials.
What magical item must be lit by a virgin on Halloween night to resurrect the Sanderson Sisters?
The Black Flame Candle is the enchanted item that Max lights, inadvertently bringing the witches back to life.
Which song does Winifred Sanderson famously perform during the town's Halloween party?
Bette Midler, as Winifred, delivers a memorable performance of 'I Put a Spell on You' at the Halloween party.
What is Billy Butcherson's relationship to Winifred Sanderson?
Billy Butcherson is a zombie who was Winifred's unfaithful lover in the 17th century.
What fate befell Thackery Binx's younger sister, Emily, at the hands of the Sanderson Sisters?
Emily Binx's life force was drained by the Sanderson Sisters to restore their youth in the opening scene.
What was the original working title for the film 'Hocus Pocus'?
The film was initially conceived as a darker story with the working title 'Disney's Halloween House'.
Which famous actor was reportedly offered the role of Max Dennison but turned it down?
Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the role of Max but chose to star in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' instead.
What unique ability does Mary Sanderson possess?
Mary Sanderson is characterized by her ability to 'smell' children, often sniffing them out for her sisters.
What power does Sarah Sanderson primarily use to lure children?
Sarah Sanderson uses her siren-like singing voice, specifically 'Come Little Children,' to hypnotize and attract children.
What unconventional item does Mary Sanderson use for flight, instead of a traditional broomstick?
When the witches lose their brooms, Mary improvises by using a vacuum cleaner to fly.
What is the last name of Max and Dani, the siblings who move to Salem?
The siblings are Max and Dani Dennison, who reluctantly adjust to their new life in Salem.
What is the last name of Allison, Max's classmate and crush?
Allison's full name is Allison Watts, whose family has a historical connection to the Sanderson Sisters.
What does Max initially claim Halloween was invented by, trying to dismiss its significance?
Max, being a Halloween skeptic, sarcastically states that the holiday was invented by candy companies.
How many different cats were used to portray Thackery Binx in his feline form?
Due to the various actions Binx had to perform, nine different cats were employed for the role.
What is Max's younger sister's name?
Dani Dennison is Max's spirited younger sister who initially loves Halloween.
What is the name of Max's crush, who helps him fight the witches?
Allison Watts is Max's love interest who possesses knowledge about the Sanderson Sisters' history.
In what century were the Sanderson Sisters originally executed?
The Sanderson Sisters were executed in Salem, Massachusetts, on October 31, 1693.
What type of insects fly out of Billy Butcherson's mouth when he speaks?
When the stitches on Billy Butcherson's mouth are broken, moths fly out, which were reportedly real during filming.
Approximately how old was Omri Katz (Max) when he was filming 'Hocus Pocus'?
Omri Katz was 16 years old during the filming of 'Hocus Pocus', and later revealed he 'started experimenting with cannabis' around that time.
Which real-life location in Salem served as the exterior for the Halloween party where the witches perform?
The exterior shots of the Halloween party, where Winifred performs 'I Put a Spell on You', were filmed at Salem's Old Town Hall.
The opening scenes showing Thackery Binx as a human were filmed at which historical Salem location?
Pioneer Village, a living history museum in Salem, was used for the 17th-century scenes featuring human Thackery Binx.
What object does Max use to try and defend Dani from the witches in their cottage?
Max initially attempts to ward off the Sanderson Sisters with a baseball bat.
What does Thackery Binx vow to do for 300 years after his sister's death and his transformation?
Binx decides to spend his immortal cat life guarding the Sanderson cottage to prevent anyone from resurrecting the witches.
What is the name of Dani's friend, whom she goes trick-or-treating with before meeting Max and Allison?
Dani is initially trick-or-treating with her friend, Jay, who later becomes one of the bullies.
Allison's house, the Ropes Mansion, is a real historic building in Salem. What year was it originally built?
The Ropes Mansion, used as Allison's house, is a real historic home in Salem, built in 1768.
What is the name of the high school Max and Allison attend?
The exterior shots for Max and Allison's high school were filmed at the Phillips Elementary School in Salem.
Which of the Sanderson Sisters is considered the most beautiful and uses her looks and voice to enchant?
Sarah Sanderson is described as the most beautiful and uses her alluring voice to hypnotize children.
What is the name of the zombie created by Winifred to pursue Max, Dani, and Allison?
Winifred resurrects her former lover, Billy Butcherson, as a zombie to help her retrieve her spellbook and capture the children.
What item does Winifred refer to as her 'booooook'?
Winifred's prized possession is her sentient spellbook, which she needs to perform her magic.
What do the Sanderson Sisters need to do before sunrise on Halloween to remain alive and young?
The witches must drain the life force from at least one child before sunrise on All Hallow's Eve to maintain their youth and immortality.
What is the name of Thackery Binx's father?
Thackery Binx's father is credited as Mr. Binx in the film.
Which item does Sarah Sanderson fly on when she can't find a broom?
After the witches lose their original flying devices, Sarah flies on a mop.
What is the name of Max and Dani's mother?
Stephanie Faracy plays Jenny Dennison, Max and Dani's mother.
What is the name of Max and Dani's father?
Charles Rocket played Dave Dennison, Max and Dani's father.
What do the Sanderson Sisters initially mistake a man dressed as for the 'Master'?
The witches mistake a man dressed in a devil costume at a party for their 'Master', Satan.
What is the name of the elementary school that serves as the exterior for Max and Allison's high school?
The exterior of Max and Allison's high school was filmed at the actual Phillips Elementary School in Salem, which had closed in 1992.
What color is the flame of the candle that can resurrect the Sanderson Sisters?
The candle is known as the Black Flame Candle, indicating its dark magic.
The original story for 'Hocus Pocus' began as what for writer David Kirschner?
Producer and story writer David Kirschner initially came up with the idea for the film as a bedtime story for his young daughter.
What do the Sanderson Sisters mistake a modern-day paved road for?
Upon their resurrection, the sisters are confused by modern technology, mistaking a road for a 'giant black river'.
What is the name of Thackery Binx's best friend in 1693?
In 1693, Thackery's best friend is Elijah, who helps rally the townspeople after Emily's disappearance.
What happens to the Sanderson Sisters if they don't consume a child's life force before sunrise?
If the witches do not complete their spell and consume a child's life force before sunrise, they will turn to dust.
What kind of creature is the 'Master' who hosts the party the witches crash?
The 'Master' is actually a human man played by Garry Marshall, dressed in a devil costume for a Halloween party.
What is the last name of the two bullies, Ice and Jay?
The two bullies are known only by their nicknames, Ice and Jay; their last names are not specified in the film.
Which specific day of the week does the film imply Halloween falls on in 1993, despite it being a Sunday in reality?
The film depicts the children in school on Halloween, implying it's a weekday, but October 31, 1993, was actually a Sunday.
What type of academic institution is Max and Allison's school?
Max and Allison are high school students in the film.
Which actress played Sarah, the youngest of the three Sanderson sisters?
She played the sister described as the most beautiful but the least sharp of the three.
The sequel Hocus Pocus 2 skipped cinemas and premiered on which service?
It arrived as a streaming exclusive in the autumn of 2022, nearly three decades after the original.
Kenny Ortega, who directed Hocus Pocus, later directed which Disney Channel musical trilogy?
He moved from feature films to the Disney Channel, where the trilogy became a global phenomenon.
Kathy Najimy, who played Mary Sanderson, had just appeared as a nun in which 1992 comedy?
The convent comedy and its sequel bracketed her turn as the middle Sanderson sister.
The film is set in Salem, a town known for witch trials held in which year?
The trials still shape the city's identity, and the film leans on that history for its backstory.
Bette Midler, who played Winifred, has performed for decades under which nickname?
The persona dates from her early cabaret years and stuck for the rest of her career.
Doug Jones, who played the zombie Billy Butcherson, later played the Amphibian Man in which Best Picture winner?
It was another collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, and one of his rare romantic leads under prosthetics.
In which month of 1993 did Hocus Pocus first reach cinemas?
Disney sent a Halloween picture out in high summer, a decision often blamed for its weak opening.
Which character does Kathy Najimy voice on the animated series King of the Hill?
She has voiced the role since the show began in 1997, returning for its revival.
Thora Birch, who played Dani, earned a BAFTA nomination for her role in which 1999 film?
She played the daughter in the Best Picture winner and shared a Screen Actors Guild ensemble award for it.
Co-writer Mick Garris is best known for adapting the work of which author?
He built a career in horror television and film before co-writing this family comedy.
Jason Marsden voiced Thackery Binx. Which Disney character has he voiced since 1995?
The role began with a 1995 animated feature and he has returned to it repeatedly ever since.
Which song became Bette Midler's biggest hit and won her the Grammy for Record of the Year?
It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the song most associated with her.
What critics' score does Rotten Tomatoes currently give Hocus Pocus?
The consensus calls it "harmlessly hokey yet never much more than mediocre" — the affection came later.
Hocus Pocus was made on a budget of roughly how much?
The studio is thought to have lost money on the theatrical run, recouping it later on video and television.
Who directed the 2022 sequel?
The original's director did not return, and she took over for the streaming follow-up.
Winifred's showstopper "I Put a Spell on You" was first recorded by which artist?
His theatrical, growling original was released on Okeh Records and has been covered ever since.
Doug Jones played both the Faun and the Pale Man in which 2006 fantasy film?
He performed both creature roles under heavy prosthetics in the same picture.
Before directing, Kenny Ortega choreographed which 1987 dance film?
His choreography credits from the 1980s also include Pretty in Pink and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Omri Katz, who played Max, spent eight years as John Ross Ewing III on which prime-time soap?
He appeared in 149 episodes as a child actor before taking the lead in this film.
In which year was "I Put a Spell on You" originally recorded?
The session took place that September and the single followed the next month.
Thora Birch received a Golden Globe nomination for which 2001 film?
She also picked up an Emmy nomination two years later for a television film.
Jason Marsden voiced Haku in the English dub of which animated film?
The dub role sits alongside his long list of Disney and Nickelodeon voice credits.
Box Office Mojo puts the film's original domestic gross at roughly what figure?
Modest for a studio release, and well short of what the picture cost to make and market.
What audience score does Rotten Tomatoes currently show for the film?
The gap between viewers and reviewers is the clearest sign of how its reputation shifted over time.
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