Bewitched
Wow, remember the hit show Bewitched from back in the 60’s and 70’s! It’s been a while since they began airing the show about the adorable witch Samantha and her normal mortal husband Darrin. Everyone could not get over Samantha, played by Elizabeth Montgomery, and her magical escapades. How about those nose wiggles? Between the fun characters and all the wild magic, the show was a clear hit! I mean, the show became the longest-running supernatural-themed show of its time. Bewitched ran for eight seasons, and people are still enjoying the reruns.
Even though you may have watched the entire series, there are many things that fans never knew about the show. From the character of Tabitha and what really happened to her to the reason why the show finally ended, the producers kept these secrets hidden. Now, it’s time to reveal the lesser known facts about Bewitched.
What was it about Bewitched? The idea of a mortal man dating an extraordinary witch? Was it Elizabeth Montgomery’s on-screen chemistry with actor Dick York and later Dick Sargent? Yes, there were two actors who played Darrin, but we’ll get to that. Maybe it was the hilarious idea that her magical family did not approve of the intermarriage. Despite being about the supernatural, much of the themes reflected real life struggles. Also how funny was it to imagine these young actresses really being hundreds of years old? Now, it’s time to get into all the behind the scenes information on your favorite old sitcom about the lovable witch, Samantha!
The Many Faces Of Elizabeth Montgomery
Yes of course, Elizabeth Montgomery played our favorite witch, Samantha in Bewitched. However, actresses always need to be quite flexible in television, and Elizabeth Montgomery was fully prepared to handle this. Thus, she also played the part of Samantha’s cousin named Serena. You remember Serena! She was a hippie and more progressive witch who really annoyed Samantha. However, did you notice that Serena’s mark on her cheek changed shape every episode from things like a fish to heart? Even though the resemblance is unmistakable, when Elizabeth Montgomery first put on her Serena wig, she fooled some of the show’s staff. In the credits, Serena’s role was credited to ‘Pandora Spocks,’ which was a play on Pandora’s Box.
The Many Faces Of Elizabeth Montgomery
Nose Wiggles
Now, this is a shocker. Yes, the nose wiggles were iconic. However, Erin Murphy (one of the actresses who played Tabitha) said the “wiggle was actually a camera trick.” Crazy right? Although Samantha’s nose does a slight wiggle, it’s actually the upper lip she’s moving when you look closer. They based the iconic wiggle off of Montgomery’s nervous twitch. In order to enhance it, they sped up the film and used a xylophone sound. Also it’s not true that Elizabeth Montgomery got the role for her nose wiggling abilities. In fact, she already had the part before the nose twitch was invented.
Nose Wiggles
Marion Lorne’s Strange Collection
Remember quirky Aunt Clara? She was played by Marion Lorne. In real life, Marion Lorne had a strange obsessed with doorknobs, thus, they used her adoration of doorknobs for her character. The strange fascination only enhanced the character of lovable but forgetful Aunt Clara, whose spells usually ended in disaster. Lorne owned more than 1,000 antique door knobs. Actually, they used some of her doorknobs for props in Bewitched. After appearing in 27 episodes, this actress tragically passed away in 1968 from a heart attack. They never replaced her in the show.
Marion Lorne’s Strange Collection
Not So Memorable Finale
Usually producers try to make the series finale memorable. Apparently, they didn’t care as much with Bewitched. You probably thought the final episode titled, “The Truth, Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me Sam” felt familiar. That’s because this episode was a take off from their 1965 episode called, “Speak the Truth.” If you recall, Endora casts a spell so that anyone near Samantha’s pin will tell the truth. Then there’s fighting at Darrin’s work and even when he brings clients home for drinks. Yet, in the end things get resolved and Darrin and Samantha lovingly reconcile.
Not So Memorable Finale
Nosy Neighbor’s Dark Secret
From 1964 to 1966, Alice Pearce played the nosy neighbor named Gladys. However, upon accepting her role, she never told any of her co-stars that she had been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. She was only diagnosed four months before getting the Bewitched role. Yet, none of the Bewitched producers or costars noticed she was sick. Alice Pearce even won a posthumous Outstanding Supporting Actress Emmy for playing Betwitched‘s Alice.
Nosy Neighbor’s Dark Secret
Darrin’s Bad Back
Things were not easy for actor Dick York who portrayed Darrin. While filming They Came to Cordura in 1959 he severely injured his back. During Bewitched‘s third season, his health problems even delayed production. The producers and writers worked around it so York was lying down or sitting in most episodes. Thus, his character was often away on business. While filming the episode, “Daddy Does His Thing,” in January 1969, he collapsed and never returned to Bewitched. Next, Dick Sargent was hired to replace him that very month. However, audiences did not seem to like the switch because ratings dropped significantly.
Darrin’s Bad Back
It’s Not You, It’s Deja Vu
Hey, it wasn’t just the finale that pulled from previous work. As Bewitched‘s rating began to drop, there was a correlation with its decline in writing. Once actor Dick Young left Bewitched, fans began to lose interest. A lot of the episodes were simply copies of earlier ones or even other shows’ storylines. Since producer of Bewitched William Asher also directed I Love Lucy, he often copied storylines from I Love Lucy. One such instance was for the episode, “Samantha’s Power Failure.” In that episode, we watched Uncle Arthur and Serena working in a candy factory where they dipped bananas in nuts and chocolate before packaging the bananas.
It’s Not You, It’s Deja Vu
Three Sets Of Twins Played Tabitha
Instead of just using one set of twins like the Olsen twins on Full House, Bewitched used a different approach. Multiple twins played Tabitha. Back in season two’s “And Then There Were Three,” Darrin and Samantha welcome baby Tabitha (Cynthia Black). After Black came actresses Laura and Heidi Gentry. After the Gentry twins, Tamar and Julie Young played Tabitha. At last, Bewitched took on Erin and Diane Murphy, who played Tabitha from season 3 until the end.
Three Sets Of Twins Played Tabitha
To Queen Or Not To Queen?
Somehow, Samantha was appointed as Queen of all Witches, despite her somewhat unorthodox lifestyle. Apparently, they recognized her strong will and determination. However, once the former Queen abdicated, Samantha did not initially want to take on the position. Though, her husband fully supported her becoming queen. She herself did not imagine being able to balance family and the immense responsibilities as queen. However, as it usually did in Bewitched, everything came together and Samantha was crowned Queen of the Witches!
To Queen Or Not To Queen?
A Woman Never Reveals Her Age…Except
Of course, witches live much longer than mere mortals. During the show, there were numerous references to Endora’s real age. However, not all of them were consistent and some of them seemed to be sarcastic. Yet, there was her oldest reference that always intrigued fans. Once, Endora spoke of dating ‘Otzie the ice man’ who was around back in 3500 BC…meaning Endora was more than 5,500 years old! Also, her daughter Samantha was supposed to be born sometime between 1570 and 1600. So, Samantha would be more than 400 years old.
A Woman Never Reveals Her Age…Except
Bewitched “Curse”
Sadly, Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery got diagnosed with colon cancer. There was a point when doctors believed the treatment effectively made her cancer free, but then it returned and spread to the liver. However, Elizabeth Montgomery didn’t want to pass in a hospital. She chose to spend her final days with husband Robert Foxworth in their home. At age 62, she died in June of 1995. A huge number of the Bewitched cast passed from cancer. People began calling it the “Bewitched curse.” In fact, a researcher calculated a total of 85 percent of the Bewitched cast passed from the deadly disease.
Bewitched “Curse”
Darrin and Darrin
As we’ve mentioned, there were two characters who played Darrin, Samantha’s husband. Dick York was replaced by another actor with the same first name, Dick Sargent. However, they never acknowledged the swap on the show. Producers hoped the fans wouldn’t notice and would just accept Dick Sargent as Darrin. However, this jarring switch came to be known as, “The Darrin Syndrome.” Unfortunately, the switch was very noticeable and the audience was not exactly forgiving.
Darrin And Darrin
There Are Words For The Theme Song
Even though you can instantly hear the Bewitched, no words easily come to mind. Yeah, that’s because it didn’t have any…or did it? Even though no words were sung during the opening theme song, they do exist. Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield actually composed the Bewitched theme song with lyrics. However, the Bewitched producers opted for the instrumental instead of the accompanying lyrics of, “Bewitched, bewitched, you’ve got me in your spell.”
There Are Words For The Theme Song
Not Just Darrin
Well, it wasn’t just Darrin who got replaced on Bewitched. That nosy neighbor was first played by Alice Pearce, who as we mentioned won a Primetime Emmy for the role. After she passed, actress Sandra Gould took on the role of Gladys Kravitz, known for high-pitched screems and the over-the-top freakouts.
Not Just Darrin
Hand-Me-Down Set
It’s always tempting to see each TV or movie location as specific and unique to that story. Truth is, lots of sets are reused. Maybe if you have a keen eye, you already noticed this. In Gidget (1959), they used a real Santa Monica home, and Bewitched actually took the blueprints to reverse and reproduce the set for the show. In addition, they used Gidget Goes to Rome‘s living room and patio sets. Also, rival sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie used the same set. Magical indeed.
Hand-Me-Down Set
Samantha or Cassandra?
Hm, what do you think? Could you see Cassandra as witch that wins a mortal man’s heart? During the initial stages of the show, creator Sol Saks envisioned actress Tammy Grimes as the star, a witch named Cassandra. Grimes turned down the part once she read the script. Instead, the English actress chose to do her own show called The Tammy Grimes Show. Sadly, that show didn’t last long…it was canceled after four episodes. Many wondered whether she regretted turning down Bewitched in retrospect.
Samantha Or Cassandra?
Dick York Had Career Ending Seizure on Set
Now, back to that final day Dick York spent on the set of Bewitched. He had a seizure that sent him to the hospital and never to return as Darrin again. That injury we spoke of on They Came to Cordura tore muscles on the right side of his back and triggered a downward spiral. When he was in recovery he became addicted to painkillers. Though he broke this addiction, his body never fully recovered. Sadly, actor Dick York passed due to complications from emphysema when he was 63 years old in 1992. Bewitched gave his role to Dick Sargent, who was in fact originally offered the part.
Dick York Had Career Ending Seizure On Set
Dick Sargent’s Brave Move
The second Darrin, Dick Sargent, came out as gay on none other than Coming Out Day in 1991. From then on, he was a huge advocate for gay rights, often referring to the tragically high rates of gay teen suicide. When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and suffered poor health, many falsely assumed he was sick with AIDS. At age 64, he passed away. When Elizabeth Montgomery heard she said, “He was a great friend, and I will miss his love, his sense of humor and his remarkable courage.”
Dick Sargent’s Brave Move
Why The Kravitz House Looked So Familiar
Like Samantha’s home was from other shows and films, so was the neighbor’s house. Turns out, the Stephens and Kravitzs were not truly neighbors. The Kravitz home was really down the street from Samantha and Darrin’s. Maybe you recognized the Kravitz home from The Donna Reed Show, which it was used for from 1964-6. Later, even The Partridge Family used it! Wow, can you imagine…they used that house on sets for over 50 years!
Why The Kravitz House Looked So Familiar
Rivals
Of course, Bewitched was not the only show during its time about an attractive woman that has magical powers. No surprise here, but creator Sidney Sheldon took inspiration from Bewitched when he made I Dream of Jeannie. Naturally, it aired on the rival network channel, NBC. Actually, I Dream of Jeannie came out just a year after Bewitched in 1965. However, it didn’t become as popular as our beloved Bewitched. Despite this, Elizabeth Montgomery was not too pleased with Jeannie. In fact, she considered the show creative theft since it centered around a blonde magical woman that falls in love with a mortal man.
Rivals
Recurring Characters Were Fan Favorites
As much as we loved the main stars, fans couldn’t get enough of the recurring characters played by some incredible actors. Remember Paul Lynde (Harry MacAfree from Bye Bye Birdie) appeared in 10 episodes? Lynde played Uncle Arthur, the prankster brother of Endora. His wild shenanigans always cracked us up. In addition, we saw other amazing stars like Alice Ghostley as Esmeralda, Mabel Albertson as Phyllis Stephens and Bernard Fox as Dr. Bombaby.
Recurring Characters Were Fan Favorites
First Role For Richard Dreyfuss
Now, we know and love Richard Dreyfuss for his incredible performances in films like, Jaws, What About Bob? and Stand By Me. Everyone has to start somewhere though! Yes, Bewitched was one of his very first major television roles. Dreyfuss starred in the episode “Man’s Best Friend” as Rodney, the warlock that Samantha used to babysit. Wow, what a flashback!
First Role For Richard Dreyfuss
Elizabeth Montgomery Grew Tired Of Her Role
I mean, it sounds only natural that Elizabeth Montgomery grew tired of her role considering she appeared in all 254 episodes. Yeah, she was the only actor on Bewitched to appear in every one of the 8 seasons’s episodes. Apparently, she wanted out after season five. At that point, she was a mom with three children and it was getting to be a lot. However, the producers offered her more money to stay on. Herbie Pilato, author of a book on the show explained, “It wasn’t canceled because of low ratings…Bewitched’ was actually renewed for Seasons 9 and 10, but [she] wanted out. It was at this same time that Montgomery’s marriage to Asher began to unravel. The sitcom came to an end in 1972 and the couple divorced a year after.”
Elizabeth Montgomery Grew Tired Of Her Role
Tabitha Got A Spin Off
What’s a hit show without a spin-off or two? Yes, you probably remember that five years after we said goodbye to Bewitched, we saw a spin-off based on a grown up Tabitha Stephens called Tabitha. Even though the series also aired on ABC, it didn’t star the Tabitha from Bewitched, Erin Murphy. Instead, actress Lisa Hartman played Tabitha. Sadly, the show had many continuity issues and didn’t last long.
Tabitha Got A Spin Off
Wait A Minute!
Did it feel as though Darrin’s secretary at his company McMann and Tate seemed completely different each time? No, it wasn’t you. The producers continually switched out the actresses playing Betty. Since she was such a small part, they thought the fans wouldn’t really notice. One of the actresses who played Betty was Marcia Wallace. Afterwards, Wallace voiced Edna Krabappel for The Simpsons. Jill Foster was another actress who portrayed the secretary for ten episodes.
Wait A Minute!
A Pioneer Witch
Elizabeth Montgomery was not only a feminist pioneer on TV, but also a witch pioneer. Samantha always stood up to any witch, even if she suffered consequences for his beliefs. Of course, marrying a mortal presented a huge conflict with both mortals and the magical community. Just like I Love Lucy, mother-in-law Endora mispronounces Darrin’s name to show her disapproval. She would call him Dobbin, Darryl, Delmore and any other D name but Darrin. Actually, the character Endora only calls him his real name eight times in the entire Bewitched series.
A Pioneer Witch
Richard Crenna To Play Darrin
When Bewitched was first being created, Richard Sargent was close to signing on as Darrin Stephens. However, while the producers searched for a new Samantha to replace Grimes, Richard or Dick Sargent ended up taking a different job. Next, they wanted actor Richard Crenna to play Darrin. However, after spending years acting on The Real McCoys, he passed too.
Richard Crenna To Play Darrin
Next Up
So, what were the Bewitched producers to do now? Two actors had turned down the role of Darrin Stephens. They needed to find their male counterpart to Samantha! Enter, Dick York who was the runner-up. Yes, he got the role, but as we mentioned earlier, he ended up leaving due to medical reasons. Thus, they returned to Dick Sargent to replace him. That has left fans wondering what if Richard Sargent had played Darrin all along for the entire 8 seasons?
Next Up
Real Life Pregnancies
While filming Bewitched, the star Elizabeth Montgomery was pregnant three times. From her first child in 1964 to the third, the writers and Bewitched producers were very willing to work her pregnancies into the script. Each time they made it work. As we saw, Samantha and Darrin welcomed their children, Adam and Tabitha into the world. Actually, it was Montgomery herself who named the on-set daughter Tabitha since she liked that it had an old-fashion flare to it. However, it made her shudder every time she saw the misspelled name as ‘Tabatha’ on the credits. During one interview she said of the sight, “It’s like a squeaky piece of chalk scratching on my nerves.”
Real Life Pregnancies
Dick York’s Big Role
Of course, we know actor Dick York from his incredible performance as Darrin, Samantha’s adoring husband. However, York was already a popular actor in his time and not just from Bewitched. His real big break came from his performance in the 1960 film, Inherit the Wind. Naturally, this good-looking and charming actor became a sensation.
Dick York’s Big Role
The Real Origin Of Costumes
Now, this next tidbit was revealed by the actress Kasey Rogers. On Bewitched, she played Samantha’s friend Louise Tate. According to Rogers, the supporting cast needed to provide their own wardrobe. Thus, the actors would bring in their costumes about a week before shooting. Then, the costume department took their clothes to clean and iron them and prep them for TV. Hey, free cleaning service almost makes it sound worth it!
The Real Origin Of Costumes
The Beloved Brooch
Maybe you noticed that eye-popping starburst diamond brooch worn by Agnes Moorehead on Bewitched. The vintage looking piece contained 8.5 carats of diamonds. Montgomery adored Moorehead’s stunning brooch. Apparently, Moorehead knew of her costar’s fondness for it because she bequeathed it to Elizabeth Montgomery after she died in 1974. Sadly, Moorehead passed due to uterine cancer. Fans remember her for the over 6 decades of amazing performances on screen. This amazing actress even won an Emmy and two Golden Globes!
The Beloved Brooch
Off-Set Relationships
Not everything was as seen on the screen. Although Endora and Darrin hated each other on Bewitched, these two costars were great friends off-set. They formed an amazing bond from working together through the years. In Herbie J. Pilato’s book on Bewitched, he wrote, “Dick York absolutely loved Agnes Moorehead…quite simply the relationship between Dick York and Agnes Moorehead was the exact opposite of the relationship between Darrin and Endora.” Apparently, they bonded through their love of spirituality. Even the next Darrin, Dick Sargeant, said Agnes Moorhehead always came to the set with “the Bible in one hand and the script in the other.”
Off-Set Relationships
Tensions On Set
Well, not everyone’s relationship could be as close as Moorehead and York’s. Actually, once Dick Sargent replaced York as Darrin, things took a turn. Moorehead and Sargent did not get along and it made the set very tense. However, it may have actually helped the heated tensions between their characters. According to Bewitched cast and crew members, the two would fight on stage and Moorehead left Sargent in tears numerous times. In the end though, the constant bickering brought them close together. Somehow after all that, the two became lifelong friends.
Tensions On Set
Show’s Inspiration
Both Bell, Book and Candle and I Married a Witch were two films that the show was based on. Though these films resembled Bewitched, creator Sol Saks did not worry too much that he used those film plot-lines for his Bewitched script pilot. When questioned about the similarities and whether he feared a lawsuit, Sol Saks emphasized that both the movies were owned by Screen Gems and Columbia, which was actually the same company responsible for creating Bewitched.
Show’s Inspiration
Aunt Clara
Somehow Aunt Clara came off sweeter to Samantha’s husband Darrin, even though his character didn’t like most of his wife’s family on the show. Despite this, Aunt Clara always brought out the best in him. Perhaps, it was the kookiness and genuine warmth. We wish it was always like this for people with their actual in-laws and spouse’s family members. Sadly, things cannot always be as lovely as Bewitched.
Aunt Clara
Behind the Name
Remember when Larry Tate and Louise had Jonathan on the show? Apparently, actor David White made a special request for his character Larry Tate to name the son Jonathan. In real life, White raised his son Jonathan by himself after his wife died from complications during her second pregnancy. How touching is that?!
Behind The Name
Written By High Schoolers
Another amazing thing about Bewitched was that they had 22 African American students from a South Central L.A.’s 10th grade high school class write the episode “Sisters at Heart.” Even though most of these students struggled with reading and writing, they came together to make an episode about acceptance and racism. At the time, many celebrated it as thoughtful in its approach to a sensitive topic, but nowadays, some parts may not be seen as politically correct, but we’ll get there.
Written By High Schoolers
Lasting Tribute
Although Bewitched is no longer producing new episodes, the series lives on. Yes, it was even ranked on Tv Guide’s ’50 Greatest Shows of All Time.’ Also, a monument was constructed as a tribute to Bewitched! In Salem, Massachusetts, you can find a statue of Samantha on her broomstick that was erected in 2005 for the show’s 40th anniversary. Bewitched was one of the very first feminist sitcoms!
Lasting Tribute
Montgomery The Activist
We’ve spoken a bit about how amazing and incredible Elizabeth Montgomery was, but did you know she was so active advocating for different things that her personal life was not really spoken of? That would be unheard of today for a TV star! Anyway, when she died in 1995, most obituaries didn’t even list that she was married to Robert Foxworth because not many people knew. At a time when it wasn’t popular, this actress fiercely advocated for gay rights. That made her one of the first celebrities to do so. In addition she worked to help AIDS patients during the height of the crisis.
Montgomery The Activist
The Movie
In 2005, Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell starred in Bewitched, the movie. Unfortunately, it did not succeed commercially or even critically. Sadly, this film won Kidman and Ferrell something called a Golden Raspberry for the Worst Screen Couple. Yikes! Actually, many thought Kidman nailed it, but criticized Ferrell’s portrayal of Darrin. In addition, the movie was nominated for worst actor, worst director and on top of that, worst remake/sequel. Ouch!
The Movie
The Better Tabitha
Sibling rivalries are a real thing, and we’re guessing they’re more intense with twins. Now, imagine how awkward this must have been. The fraternal twins Diane and Erin Murphy began playing Tabitha in season 3. They shared the role, but Bewitched producers noted that Erin was much better in front of of the camera. Since Erin Murphy was a natural, they used her for more close-ups and speaking parts. Eventually, they dropped her sister Diane Murphy from Bewitched since the two girls began looking less alike. Ouch! Producers thought audiences wouldn’t figure out what happened to Tabitha, well the actress behind her.
The Better Tabitha
Anti-Aging Potion
Seriously, did this woman drink an anti-aging potion or what? Many could not stop talking about how actress Elizabeth Montgomery seemed immune to the aging process. Besides her flawless transition into another life stage, this star also had a heart of gold. No wonder she was the envy of everyone’s eye! The world was so sad to lose her in 1995.
Anti-Aging Potion
Witch’s Magic
Back when they filmed Bewitched in the 60’s, it was long before CGI. Thus, they had to be innovative when it came to the ‘magic’ on set. The crew stagehands helped make those moments of magic possible. Often times, Elizabeth Montgomery stood with her hands out until the director screamed ‘Cut,’ Then, stagehands would do their magic and there you have it!
Witch’s Magic
Lessons in Tolerance That Didn’t Age Well
Back to that special episode, “Sisters at Heart.” Maybe you don’t recall, but during the episode we see Samantha put a spell on a bigoted client of Darrin. Due to this spell, the man sees everyone, including himself, as black. However, the actors had to put on blackface to accomplish this. Nowadays, that would not go over so well. Today it wouldn’t be politically correct, but at the time, they didn’t realize there was anything wrong with that.
Lessons In Tolerance That Didn’t Age Well
Tough Debut
Something very tragic happened while the crew was filming the Bewitched pilot. They were actually shooting the very day that John F Kennedy was assassinated. This day was particularly hard for the star, Elizabeth Montgomery. Montgomery and her husband/Bewitched producer Bill Asher, were personal friends of JFK.
Tough Debut
Bottoms Up
Wow, it was hard not to notice how often the Bewitched characters drank. Surprisingly, the alcoholic beverages on the show were real! Now, that’s pretty incredible thinking back to the regularity of the drinking. Yeah, so a lot of those times with drunk characters…they weren’t exactly faking it. In fact, a fan website was created to log each drinking incident from every episode and location.
Bottoms Up
Third Baby Bump
Now, you may have been a little confused before when we mentioned Elizabeth Montgomery’s pregnancies. Yes, she did have three kids, but only two of her pregnancies made their way into the Bewitched script. Actually, the third was completely concealed from the audience. I mean you have a show that went on eight years, there were bound to be some bumps along the way!
Third Baby Bump
Playing for Both Teams
Yes, we know we mentioned the rivalry between Bewitched and the show I Dream of Jeannie. However, there was at least one person that chose not to involve himself in any of the back and forth. Instead, actor Paul Lynde played it neutral by having roles on both television shows. For Bewitched, Lynde played Uncle Arthur of course. Then, on I Dream of Jeannie, he was a NASA commander, film director and also IRS agent on three episodes.
Playing For Both Teams
Grimes Turned Role Down For Odd Reason
Yes, actress Tammy Grimes turned the lead role in Bewitched down after reading the script, but why? Well, apparently she imagined if a real witch existed, this hypothetical witch would spend all her time saving the world of its problems. Thus, she did not believe the witch would also be able to tend to her home. Seems a bit specific for a sitcom, but hey, she had her right to her own artistic vision!
Grimes Turned Role Down For Odd Reason
Elvis Controversy
Elizabeth Montgomery really cast her spell on some high profile celebrities. Even Elvis wasn’t safe from this talented actress’ charms. As revealed in the Elizabeth Montgomery biography, Twitch Upon A Star, while starring in Kid Galahad together, he desperately wanted her. While Elvis was flirting with Montgomery, her older husband Bill Asher saw and confronted Elvis, even calling him some unsavory things.
Elvis Controversy
Elizabeth’s Father
Elizabeth had some personal problems with her own father. Many saw how this troubled relationship worked when she was cast for Bewitched. Apparently, the star really wanted her own father to play her on-screen dad. However, he refused. Many who were close with the family felt he turned it down because he was resentful of her widespread success. What a shame.
Elizabeth’s Father
Encouragement
Despite her first husband wishing Elizabeth Montgomery would quit her acting and instead, choose to be a housewife and stay-at-home mom, Elizabeth pursued her dreams. When she married producer Bill Asher, many saw him as a more positive influence because he encouraged her to continue with her acting just as Bewitched was preparing to film. Even though Montgomery herself wanted to throw in the towel, she stuck with it and all her fans are grateful for that!
Encouragement
Hold Still!
We spoke about the lack of CGI and high-tech options but now you must consider that the actors needed to hold themselves in some very uncomfortable and awkward poses during scenes. Let’s take for instance one of those house cleaning spells. For this, the producer had to stop the filming until the crew finished arranging and cleaning the set. Once they cleaned up, they could begin rolling again. Wow, that’s a lot of work!
Hold Still!
Family Tragedies
Remember how David White named his on-screen child Jonathan after his actual son? Well, something awful happened to his son in real life. While Jonathan was on Pan Am flight 103, the plane tragically exploded while flying over Scotland. This happened in 1988 and then only two years after, actor David White passed away from a heart attack. White was buried right next to Jonathan.
Family Tragedies