Exploring Hocus Pocus - From Box Office Flop to Halloween Favorite

[TMC]

Good Bad Flicks looks at the history of Hocus Pocus. Directed by Kenny Ortega.

Brandon talks about the 1993 Disney film "Hocus Pocus," why it was critically panned when it came out, and how it slowly developed a cult following to become the beloved Halloween film it is today.

A box office flop that became a pop culture phenomenon, today, 'Hocus Pocus' stands as one of the most-watched Halloween movies in TV history. In this original documentary, delve behind the scenes, follow the VFX team's challenge to create the movie's magic in the early '90s, and unlock the secrets behind the production.

• 00:00 - Intro: A bunch of Hocus Pocus
• 01:46 - From the original idea to Disney
• 03:35 - Bette Midler
• 04:56 - Kenny Ortega, the director
• 05:32 - Casting the actors
• 06:38 - Characters' visuals
• 07:51 - Real Salem's locations and Disney's studios
• 09:21 - Special Effects
• 13:03 - I Put a Spell On You
• 14:16 - The box office's flop
• 15:22 - From the flop to the success
• 18:08 - The Sandersons' Comeback

Hocus Pocus was destined to fail, yet it didn't. How and why did that happen? How has it become such a beloved part of the Halloween season for so many people?

Before Hocus Pocus 2 comes out we check out the first movie. And we see if it is still a classic or will I realize it wasn't all that good. Also some scenes are edited to prevent a copyright claim. So if they look fast or slow or are going in reverse that's why.

Ever wonder why Hocus Pocus is so popular? I mean besides, ya know, the Sanderson Sisters, Binx the Cat, and Bette Midler dance number (to name a few). For this week's video, I dive into the history of the 1993 film to unveil how it became the ultimate Halloween movie!

In this Halloween Special, I explore the history of the 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus, starting with its basis in the real history of the Salem Witch Trials, the making of the film, my thoughts on the movie itself, its release, and finally, its legacy and unlikely enduring popularity today. Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies, and I hope you enjoy my retelling of its fascinating story.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Intro/History of the Salem Witch Trials/The Origins of Hocus Pocus
• 05:19 Part One: Another Glorious Morning (The Making of Hocus Pocus)
• 11:40 Part Two: A Bunch of Hocus Pocus (The Plot of Hocus Pocus)
• 25:18 Part Three: Amuck, Amuck, Amuck, Amuck (The Release of Hocus Pocus)
• 28:03 Part Four: We Shall Be Back! (The Resurgence of Hocus Pocus)
• 30:31 Part Five: I Put a Spell on You (The Legacy of Hocus Pocus)

Played every year on Disney Channel, Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween classic in the eyes of many but the question on everyone's (me) mind....why?

[TMC]

Today (July 16) is the 33rd anniversary of Hocus Pocus being released. And here's a video that I just came across about the director of Hocus Pocus, Kenny Ortega:

He's the man behind Descendants, High School Musical, Hocus Pocus, and Newsies, but Kenny Ortega's journey to becoming a Disney Legend started long before Mickey Mouse called. This is the story of the creative force Disney keeps turning to when they need to remind audiences why they fell in love with Disney magic.

From starting out as a dancer in touring productions of Hair to choreographing music videos for Madonna and Elton John, stadium tours for Michael Jackson, and the iconic "Twist and Shout" sequence in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Kenny Ortega was shaping pop culture for a decade before Disney ever picked up the phone. When they finally did in 1988, it kicked off a 30-year partnership that would define childhoods for millions.

What makes Ortega different is that he was never just a company man. He brought rock tours, Olympic ceremonies, and fountain choreography from the Vegas strip into everything he made for Disney.

• 0:00 – Ferris Bueller, 80s Cinema, and Kenny Ortega’s Start
• 1:07 – Kenny Ortega’s Origins and Joining The Tubes
• 2:04 – Working with The Tubes & The “Xanadu” Experience
• 4:40 – Mentorship from Gene Kelly & MTV Era Success
• 6:08 – 80s Choreography: From “Ferris Bueller” to Disney Specials
• 7:22 – Disney’s 80s TV Projects and “Hull High”
• 9:44 – Newsies: Disney Returns to Live-Action Musicals
• 11:22 – “Hocus Pocus” and Kenny’s Early Disney Films
• 13:09 – Michael Jackson, Olympics, & Major Live Shows
• 14:56 – The High School Musical & Descendants Disney Channel Era

And no, I don't entirely understand the rationale behind releasing a clearly Halloween-centric movie in the month of July either.

It's just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!! Lisa dives deep into the Did You Knows of Hocus Pocus from 1993. Like... did you know the moths that fly out of Billy's mouth are REAL? Neither did she. Crazy stuff. Let's learn more!

Tommy "Throwback" Kovac chats it up with Pop Culture Historian Shannon Carlin, we nerd out on the Disney cult classic "Hocus Pocus" (1993), writing the oral history book about it, writing for publications, Halloween movies to watch, we get silly and more. "Witches Run Amok: Hocus Pocus The Oral History" is available on Amazon. Totally radical!.