National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Hocus Pocus was released by Walt Disney Pictures in July 1993, directed by Kenny Ortega. Though it performed modestly at the box office, the film found a devoted second life through television broadcasts and home video, becoming a genuine seasonal touchstone for a generation of viewers. Shot on location in Salem, Massachusetts, it represents a particular strand of early-1990s family filmmaking — practical costumes, physical comedy, and a willingness to lean into genuine atmosphere.

This three-cell strip captures Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson in a warmly lit interior, her elaborate period costume and oversized hat fully visible as she gestures near her face. The consecutive frames from the same shot offer a rare glimpse of the subtle motion between single moments of a performance, preserving a brief but complete sliver of screen time on original 35mm.