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 during its theatrical run, the film found a devoted second life through home video and cable broadcasts, becoming a genuine seasonal touchstone for audiences who grew up in the 1990s. Its blend of comedy, light horror, and practical effects work has kept it in continuous cultural circulation, and it remains one of the more recognizable titles in the Disney live-action catalog from that decade.

This cell, titled Mary Sanderson, captures Kathy Najimy mid-expression in what appears to be a dimly lit interior setting, a single overhead light cutting through the dark background behind her. The three frames follow the same shot in close succession, each preserving a slightly different moment of her performance. For collectors drawn to the film, a cell centered on Mary Sanderson offers a direct piece of one of its most memorable comedic performances.