"I put a spell on you

And now you're mine."

In 1993, Bette Midler, in her inimitable role as witch Winifred Sanderson, cast a spell on fans of "Hocus Pocus," and Salem does likewise to its visitors.

"Hocus Pocus" is one of many movies that have been filmed in Witch City, an atmospheric setting for celluloid for centuries, having first been captured on film in 1899 in the 17-minute black and white silent film, "Welcome home." Of much more recent vintage, the Disney comedy/drama was filmed nearly three centuries after the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

Other movies include 1934's "Scarlet Letter," the first major black and white movie filmed entirely in Salem, and the 1980's American Playhouse three-part production, "Three Sovereigns For Sarah," a historically accurate filming of the Witch Trials, which wove original transcripts into character dialogue.

Salem straddles a fine line, honoring those falsely accused during the witch hysteria of the late 17th century and resulting Witch Trials - when 150 were falsely accused of witchcraft and 19 innocent men and women were hanged and one man was pressed to death with stones - while having fun with its image as a bewitched seaport and site of ghostly tours, witchy haunts and spirited attractions.

Somehow, this sleepy, walkable village - home to practicing witches, shops filled with candles, crystal balls and spell kits, three cemeteries significant to the 1692 Witch Trials, the Witch Trials Memorial and, connecting all the must-see's, the Salem Heritage Trail - manages to pull off both with equal parts reverence and respect, even in October when Salem hosts Haunted Happenings.

"October is such a great time to be in Salem," said Spellbound Tours guide, known as Dr. Vitka, who is also a professional paranormal investigator. "It is a month-long Halloween party."

Expect the party to be even bigger than usual this year as 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Halloween movie classic that stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson Sisters, three witches who are resurrected on Halloween night after a disbelieving teen breaks a 300-year-old curse.

Visitors can learn about the film sites of this movie and many others on one or more of Salem's outstanding tours, including Spellbound Tours, Salem Historic Tours, and Salem Trolley Tours.

"We do a TV & Movie Sites Tour and have had it scheduled for most of the year - including for some days in September and October - in honor of 'Hocus Pocus,' a fan favorite in October," said Giovanni Alabiso, president Salem Historical Tours. "There have been so many movies, TV shows, documentaries, reality shows, cooking shows, and more shot in Salem, and we bring guests around to as many of these sites as we can."

SIX "HOCUS POCUS" FILM SITES

- Pioneer Village: America's oldest living history museum, depicting Salem circa 1630, starred in the opening scenes of the movie and introduced moviegoers to young Thackery Binx, pre-cat form.

- Phillips Elementary School - Max and Allison's school.

- The Ropes Mansion: Owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, stepped into the role of Allison's House.

- Old Town Hall: Remember Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson belting out, "Ah say into pi, alpha maybe upendi!"? It happened here during the community's Halloween party. Today, the building hosts the Salem Museum and performances of Cry Innocent, the critically-acclaimed live reenactment of the witchcraft examination of Bridget Bishop.

- Salem Common: Outdoor scenes were shot here, which is also where the film is shown each year during Haunted Happenings.

- 4 Ocean Avenue: See the exterior of Max and Dani's house from the street, but know that it is a private residence.

FIVE WITCHY WONDERS

- Cry Innocent - a moving and interactive theatrical presentation that sets the scene for any visit to Salem.

- Salem Witch Museum - the sobering and immersive presentation that takes place in a nearly 175-year-old Gothic Revival-style former church is based on actual Witch Trial documents and shows why this is Salem's most visited museum.

- Witch Dungeon Museum - adding another layer of horror to the Witch Trials story is this live re-enactment followed by a tour of the recreated dungeon where creepy dioramas include bodies hanging from the gallows. The museum has an original beam from Salem's actual dungeon.

- Witch Pix - pure fun and a fab souvenir, with elaborate handmade witch costumes to play dress-up in while starring in your own photoshoot with backdrops including the moon, forest or lair.

- Court Orlok's Nightmare Gallery - for fans of horror movies, movie monsters and all things macabre, this museum is not to be missed. Fans of "Hocus Pocus" will find a figure of Winifred Sanderson in all her flaming-haired, buck-toothed glory.

Four other Salem sights to see: The Peabody Essex Museum, already impressive with 1.8 million works of art, including the only complete Qing Dynasty house outside China, it is one of North America's fastest-growing museums, and The House of the Seven Gables, the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous 1851 novel of the same name. 2018 is the 350th anniversary of The House of the Seven Gables - what better time to climb the secret staircase and visit the adjacent Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace?

See the house that inspired the interior layout for the board game, Clue, and unearth its connection to Salem on Salem Historic Tours' TV & Movie Tour, and take a selfie with the enchanting statue of actress Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, her nose-twitching persona in the 1964-1972 television sitcom, "Bewitched."

PLAN YOUR TRAVELS

The busiest season in Salem is October during Haunted Happenings. Dr. Vitka advises those Salem-bound to come early as there are more visitors than parking spaces and, if possible, come on weekdays rather than weekends.

"There is still tons of fun stuff going on," said Vitka, "But it's less crowded!"

Adds Alabiso: "Once you are here, don't move your car. We are a walking city. Parking is available at garages downtown and at the train station."

Visit www.salem.org for information about Haunted Happenings, attractions and accommodations that include the iconic Hawthorne Hotel and the more casually inclined Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. For more details about "Hocus Pocus" film locations, visit www.salem.org/hocus-pocus-filming-locations-salem-ma.

(Author and travel and lifestyle writer Kathy Witt feels you should never get to the end of your bucket list; there's just too much to see and do in the world. Contact her at KathyWitt24@gmail.com, @KathyWitt.)

(c)2018 Kathy Witt

Visit Kathy Witt at www.kathywitt.com

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