Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Hocus Pocus arrived from Walt Disney Pictures in the summer of 1993, a modest box office performer that found its true audience later, through years of ABC Family and Freeform reruns during Halloween season. Directed by Kenny Ortiz and led by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, the film has become a fixture of American Halloween culture, its cult following growing steadily until it stands now as one of Disney's most beloved seasonal titles, spawning merchandise, a sequel decades later, and annual viewing traditions across the country.
This cell centers on Billy Butcherson, the reanimated ex-lover of Winifred Sanderson, a character prized by collectors for his tragicomic presence in a film built on witchy camp. Billy occupies a strange space in the story, undead and mute for stretches, tied to Winifred's long memory and eventual redemption arc. A single-character cell like this one draws interest from those assembling supporting cast runs, since Billy rarely headlines merchandise compared to the sisters. For 35mm collectors, isolating him this way preserves a piece of the film's ensemble that often gets overshadowed.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour theatrical release print of Hocus Pocus (1993).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no visible tearing or deformation.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along the lower edge beside the picture area, with a blue stripe adjacent to it consistent with a Dolby SR analogue track; Dolby Digital pixel blocks appear present in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer codes or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base shows a warm yellowish tint along the lower margin; the image area reads as a colour positive with deep blue and dark tones, no obvious red shift or significant fading visible.
Projection history
Fine longitudinal lines consistent with projection are visible across the image area; no splices or cue marks seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; the three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with a theatrical release print of Hocus Pocus (1993).
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track with a Dolby SR blue stripe and apparent Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a mid-1990s theatrical release print, matching the 1993 release period of the film on record.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063373
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
