National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Hocus Pocus was released by Walt Disney Pictures in July 1993, directed by Kenny Ortega from a screenplay by Mick Garris and Neil Cuthbert. The film found only modest theatrical success on its initial run but became a genuine cultural fixture through cable and home video, particularly around Halloween. Its blend of comedy, mild horror, and theatrical performance made it a defining title of early-1990s family fantasy filmmaking, and its reputation has grown considerably with each passing decade.

This cell captures Winifred Sanderson mid-performance across three sequential frames from a single continuous shot. The ornate beaded neckline of her costume is clearly visible throughout, and the tilted framing reflects the heightened, theatrical energy Bette Midler brought to the role. The progression of expressions across the three frames gives the cell a natural sense of motion, preserving a small but characteristic moment from one of the film's most recognizable performances.