Bewitched

When I take a sick day, I'll typically transform into a couch potato and watch reruns of Classic TV shows. My most recent bout with a cold had me watching "Bewitched," the 1960s sitcom about Samantha, a witch, who marries Darrin Stephens, a mortal man. The supporting cast was phenomenal; who could forget befuddled Aunt Clara (Marion Lorne) or the meddling mother-in-law Endora (Agnes Moorehead)?



The heart of the show was the two original leads played by Montgomery and York. You believed their love for each other which always triumphed over their differences. While it is seen as a situation comedy, "Bewitched" was very much a statement on equality and prejudice. Samantha may have been a witch, but you could very easily substitute any group that suffers from discrimination for her character and see how she successfully battles with kindness her detractors and always comes out on top. Sure, there are times that she seems subservient to her husband (you have to watch the show in the context of the times it was created), but there's never a doubt as to who truly runs the household: Samantha. Seen below the two leads are with Dick Wilson, who played a drunk in almost every sitcom of the 1960s, but is probably best known as Mr. Whipple.



By making the discriminated/minority group witches, "Bewitched" was able to do much more social commentary than they would have been allowed otherwise.

See more classic Movie & TV photos at my main website.

Bewitched in Salem

Salem, Massachusetts is probably best known for its infamous witch trials. Tourists flock to the area, especially for Halloween. Most probably don't realize the gravity of what happened here, especially when they are greeted by the smiling face of this statue commemorating Elizabeth Montgomery in "Bewitched."



Further into town you can find the historic Pickman House; yes, that's yours truly bundled up for the winter. Built in 1664, it is adjacent to the Witch Memorial dedicated in 1992 on the 300th anniversary of the Salem witch trials and is also next to America's second oldest burying ground, aka Burying Point.



These stone benches commemorate the twenty people who lost their lives during the trials.



Unlike the others, Giles Corey was not hung. He was "pressed" to death by stones when he refused to testify against other "witches." Stones continued to be added to his body in an effort to get him to divulge information until he finally died after three days of this insane torture.



When I first saw these sentences inscribed in the stones on the ground, I thought that they had been stupidly covered up on the right side by the wall. Paleontologist and expert tour guide Bretton Rocks explained to me that these words were the final ones uttered by the supposed witches, just before they were hung. The cut-off sentences at right were uttered at the point of death, just as you would read them. Wow.



Steps away is Burying Point, Salem's oldest cemetery.







The sunset framed this area of mourning perfectly.



The Salem Witch Museum was closed, unfortunately. And that damn stroller in front; almost felt like I was at Disneyland.



Looks like I will need to return to explore the museum.



As I left town, I had to have Bretton take a shot of me with Samantha. Yes, even I can be a tourist.



See more Salem photos at my main website.

Bewitched, pt. 2

Here is the companion piece I did to yesterday’s post; just Elizabeth Mongomery going solo in her witch’s outfit. Whoever did the caricature for the opening titles sure captured the stars of this show with just a few bold strokes. This painting was knocked out pretty quickly; I got very bored with it, as there isn’t much original to it. I should have done the Warhol idea instead. Soon...soon...

See more of my art at my main website.

Bewitched

I recently sold this painting which was inspired by the opening credits of the classic TV show “Bewitched.” Of course, I based it on the one and only Darrin worth watching, Dick York. The early episodes hold up well, and the chemistry of the two is truly magical. One day I want to do a Warhol-esque 4 panel with Darrin, Samantha, Gladys (the original!) and Endora. I already have it sketched out.

See more of my art at my main website.