Bewitching Books - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Flash72 · 09-07-2002, 07:10 PM

I wanted to gauge the opinions of those Bewitched fans out there like myself that own the two books released during the series' run. The books I am referring to are "Bewitched" by Al Hine and "Bewitched: Opposite Uncle" by William Johnston. The former paperback book novelizes seven of the first eight episodes of the series along with an original storyline; we learn Samantha's maiden name is Dobson. I think it was a great book. The latter Whitman hardback book was released in 1970 and features Dick Sargent on the cover. It involves the newly created character of Uncle Kindly and his problem concerns the inadvertent spells he casts upon people; making them behave the opposite of their personality. What are your opinions of these two books?

Interestingly enough the Jeannie paperback did not faithfully recapture the series like Bewitched managed today but yet that particular novel by Dennis Brewster is harder to acquire than the Al Hine book.

Arfies · 09-23-2002, 05:28 PM

I loved both books. They're both pretty faithful to the show, but the Al Hine book has a few mistakes (Sheila's last name wasn't Bryce; it was Sommers) but overall they're fantastic- well-written, funny, dramatic, and captured the essence of the show.
Comparing the two: The first book has more of the flavor of the early years and the second book reminds me of the later years (duh).
Not only in characters included and plotline, but dialogue as well. The Hine book has a lot more sexual innuendo between Sam and Darrin- because in the earlier seasons of the show, that's what it was like.
The Opposite Uncle has more jokes and is obviously more "acceptable to a younger audience."
Oh well, that's my book review.

60sSitcomFan · 09-25-2002, 07:36 AM

Interesting reviews. Are these books still around (ie being published) or do we have to get them through sources like Ebay, etc? Any idea on the price? Thanks..

Arfies · 09-25-2002, 04:49 PM

I got both of these books from ebay (I'm pretty sure they're out of print) for something like $11 for the Hine book and $3 for the Johnston book. It was worth it

60sSitcomFan · 09-25-2002, 05:05 PM

Thanks Arfies.. will try it and let you know. :-)

buddy love · 09-26-2002, 09:27 AM

what do you guys think of the Bewitched Book by Herbie Pilato?
I think it is pretty good but tries to avoid controversy--not much about the Darrin switch and it is clear that Miss M loves Dick Sargent but not Dick York and he really doesn't get a reason why this is the case--especially since the best episodes were done during the Dick York years. But then again it probably is not that type of book. Also, from reading the Harpies Bizarre page I see that someone is planning on writing a book on Agnes Moorehead which I personally would love to see since I think she was a great actress. I just hope he won't dump on her in some way like some biographers like to do.

Arfies · 09-26-2002, 05:06 PM

Other way around- Agnes Moorehead got along a LOT better with York than his replacement Sargent.
Herbie J Pilato's books The Bewitched Book, Bewitched Forever (1996) and the same again (2001) are updated versions of each other and they're all terrific.
I think it's good that the books didn't create a sensationalized story about the show. Tabloids do enough of that.
And I'm sure that Chuck T will write Agnes Moorehead's biography very well.

Arfies · 11-22-2002, 09:12 PM

Oops- I didn't see who you meant when you put "Miss M". I answered Moorehead when I guess you meant Montgomery. So in that case, yes, you were right, Liz did seem to get along a lot better with Sargent than with York personally.

09-07-2002, 07:10 PM	#1
Flash72 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 17, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 310	Bewitching Books I wanted to gauge the opinions of those Bewitched fans out there like myself that own the two books released during the series' run. The books I am referring to are "Bewitched" by Al Hine and "Bewitched: Opposite Uncle" by William Johnston. The former paperback book novelizes seven of the first eight episodes of the series along with an original storyline; we learn Samantha's maiden name is Dobson. I think it was a great book. The latter Whitman hardback book was released in 1970 and features Dick Sargent on the cover. It involves the newly created character of Uncle Kindly and his problem concerns the inadvertent spells he casts upon people; making them behave the opposite of their personality. What are your opinions of these two books? Interestingly enough the Jeannie paperback did not faithfully recapture the series like Bewitched managed today but yet that particular novel by Dennis Brewster is harder to acquire than the Al Hine book.
	__________________ It is better to fail while attempting, then to fail to attempt... Flash72 http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/...&postid=799864

09-23-2002, 05:28 PM	#2
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	I loved both books. They're both pretty faithful to the show, but the Al Hine book has a few mistakes (Sheila's last name wasn't Bryce; it was Sommers) but overall they're fantastic- well-written, funny, dramatic, and captured the essence of the show. Comparing the two: The first book has more of the flavor of the early years and the second book reminds me of the later years (duh). Not only in characters included and plotline, but dialogue as well. The Hine book has a lot more sexual innuendo between Sam and Darrin- because in the earlier seasons of the show, that's what it was like. The Opposite Uncle has more jokes and is obviously more "acceptable to a younger audience." Oh well, that's my book review.

09-25-2002, 07:36 AM	#3
60sSitcomFan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 109	Interesting reviews. Are these books still around (ie being published) or do we have to get them through sources like Ebay, etc? Any idea on the price? Thanks..

09-25-2002, 04:49 PM	#4
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	I got both of these books from ebay (I'm pretty sure they're out of print) for something like $11 for the Hine book and $3 for the Johnston book. It was worth it

09-25-2002, 05:05 PM	#5
60sSitcomFan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 109	Thanks Arfies.. will try it and let you know. :-)

09-26-2002, 09:27 AM	#6
buddy love Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 19, 2002 Posts: 189	what do you guys think of the Bewitched Book by Herbie Pilato? I think it is pretty good but tries to avoid controversy--not much about the Darrin switch and it is clear that Miss M loves Dick Sargent but not Dick York and he really doesn't get a reason why this is the case--especially since the best episodes were done during the Dick York years. But then again it probably is not that type of book. Also, from reading the Harpies Bizarre page I see that someone is planning on writing a book on Agnes Moorehead which I personally would love to see since I think she was a great actress. I just hope he won't dump on her in some way like some biographers like to do.

09-26-2002, 05:06 PM	#7
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	Other way around- Agnes Moorehead got along a LOT better with York than his replacement Sargent. Herbie J Pilato's books The Bewitched Book, Bewitched Forever (1996) and the same again (2001) are updated versions of each other and they're all terrific. I think it's good that the books didn't create a sensationalized story about the show. Tabloids do enough of that. And I'm sure that Chuck T will write Agnes Moorehead's biography very well.

11-22-2002, 09:12 PM	#8
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	Oops- I didn't see who you meant when you put "Miss M". I answered Moorehead when I guess you meant Montgomery. So in that case, yes, you were right, Liz did seem to get along a lot better with Sargent than with York personally.