PHOTOS: Revisiting Salem's 'Hocus Pocus' Locations
A look at Salem (and a couple Marblehead locations) from Disney's cult classic.
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"Thackery Binx? Where are you Thackery Binx?" At the beginning of the movie, Thackery Binx wakes up and learns his sister, Emily, is missing. The scene was filmed in Forest River Park's Pioneer Village, which is now inhabited by Gordon College historical actors.
Photos (15)
Photos
It's been 19 years since Hocus Pocus hit theaters, but we're pretty sure North Shore residents can still enjoy a showing of this family favorite, especially since it hits so close to home.
In preparation for the bewitching season, we figured we'd bring you back to the Bette Midler hit, which was partially filmed on the North Shore.
With the generous help our our Patch editors — one with lifelong Salem ties and our Marblehead Patch expert, as well as one of our contributors, we hit the streets and snapped photos to reacquaint you with some of the locations from this Halloween classic.
Peruse our captions and be whisked away to 1993, and be sure to watch the movie, but remember — don't light the Black Flame Candle!
Happy Halloween!
Sherrie Godwin
4:38 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Loved the Hocus Pocus photos.
My daughter goes to Salem State, and she loves it up there. A very interesting, historical town.
Sherrie Godwin. Cleburne, Texas
Aubry Bracco
4:47 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Thanks so much, Sherrie. It's an amazing place to live, and it's great to hear she's loving it.
Does anyone from Salem remember the "Hocus Pocus" filming? Any stories to share?
peg howa
8:03 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
I remember the Hocus Pocus filming well. I was out walking in the neighborhood one morning when I heard a helicopter buzzing the harbor over and over. For quite awhile, I kept trying to locate the copter as I walked up and down the side streets, but I couldn't see it. Everyone I met was talking about it and wondering what was going on--we were worrying that there'd been an accident in the harbor. Finally, I went to the end of Leach St. extension and could see the helicopter coming in across the harbor and flying back out again. It turned out that the filmmakers were shooting the opening scene across the harbor toward the house on Ocean Avenue, whose top spins off in the movie. It's a beautiful shot of Salem Harbor that goes by way too quickly in the film! I also remember the dressing room trailers parked near the chapel on Summit Ave. and later situated in Forest River Park. Many houses on Ocean and Summit were specially decorated for a trick-or-treat scene, and I watched the filming of that one evening. Kids went up and down the steps of several houses. The young star was dressed as a witch and I heard a director or cameraman asked her if she could cackle, which she did perfectly! But I don't think that made it into the film. I missed the children's parade, but lots of local kids participated in it. Peg Howard
Aubry Bracco
8:11 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Thanks for sharing these great memories, Peg!
Kim
10:26 pm on Friday, October 21, 2011
Great story with great pics! I was living out of state during the filming - and didn't see the movie until a few years ago with my children. Can't believe I missed it all these years! I now live 300 feet from Thackery Binx's home, trick or treat at the Dennison's, attended Philips School in the 70's (1970's that is!), and grew up playing on the "Common". Awesome movie! "Oh, Look! Another Glorious Morning! .... It Makes Me SICK!" ha!
Kathy Bruin
11:21 am on Saturday, October 22, 2011
What fun it was to watch the filming of Hocus Pocus in my neighborhood in Salem and in front of my store, Bus Stop (pumpkin colored then). When the two second shot of the store showed on the screen people in the theater cheered! Tourists still look in the neighborhood for the Hocus Pocus house. The movie holds up all these years later.
By the way, the fundraiser to bring back the Warwick Theater in Marblehead is tonight.
debbie callahan
5:00 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Does anybody remember the filming of The Coming? Was back in 1979.
Nelson Dionne
9:35 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
If that was the film with Albert Salmi, it was partially filmed at the Salem Police station while it was in service. Ray Parlee , the dispatcher, and I ( EMT & cell man ) are identifiable in the backgrounds in one or more scenes.
Nelson Dionne
9:37 am on Sunday, July 8, 2012
Re; Hocus- pocus, I recently unearthed a Daily Call Sheet from the Salem shoot as well as some photos taken by my wife when they were filming in Salem.
Daniel Boucher
5:32 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Where r them pics man I love this movie so much crazy I know it word for word this movie is what brought me to Salem in the first place lol silly boy I was Salem is a awsome place in October to show your true coolers and have fun I watch this movie and think if how much fun I had with my friends staying at the hawthorn inn looking for ghost and wandering the streets at night never one did we not feel safe I have had the chance to
Meet fantastic people there live me some Salem but went there last fall in 2011 and was so disappointed felt nothing like the same I'm
Still a big kid so getting old would not be the reson but Maby times to change want the Salem
From the 1990 best ever
Allison Makarewicz
1:50 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012
^^Omg, my brain.
Thanks for this post! I'm not from Salem or even Mass., but a Hocus Pocus enthusiast! So nice to have all these locations compiled if/when I make it out there someday!
Thomas Vallor
11:11 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Dude, good job, Aubry. This gets the Salem tour guide seal of approval. People always get a few wrong or miss a few but you got them all.
Aubry Bracco
1:53 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thomas, Thanks so much. It took some time, but I really enjoyed doing this piece!
David Moisan
1:21 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I lived in the apartment building in the first picture (the school in the film). I had to stay home the night of the filming and ended up using my police scanner to monitor the crew radios.
Erin
11:52 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Loved seeing the pics, always fun to revisit the area and the movie. There was also a scene shot in the Pickering Wharf area, wasn't there?
melissa
8:31 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
this movie has always been my favorite i have it on dvd me and my 2 yr old aon watch it almost everyday , me a
nd my family qo there everyother week becauae my husband is from there but he doesnt kbow where the witch house is located i would love to see the house
Rachel Boucher
6:59 pm on Saturday, October 20, 2012
my daughter and I watch this movie every year at Halloween. love it! we even named our cat after Binx. Happy Halloween.