In Salem, Massachusetts, there stands a memorial that pays tribute to the victims of the notorious Salem witch trials of 1692. The Witch Memorial, also known as the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, is a somber reminder of the dark events that unfolded in the colonial town over three centuries ago. The memorial is located in the heart of Salem, adjacent to the Charter Street Cemetery, where some of the accused witches were buried. It was designed by architect Bryan P. White and artist Maggie Smith in 1992 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the witch trials. The design of the memorial is simple yet powerful.
Bette Midler stirred up quite a bit of confusion over a famous line in Hocus Pocus last week, all thanks to a social media gaffe.
As the foremost of three sisters from 17th-century Salem who are magically transported forward three centuries to bedevil modern trick or treaters, Ms. Take one of my favorite moments from the 1993 film, for instance After the witches have been tricked into thinking that the water coming from a sprinkler system is the burning rain of death, Winifred tests the liquid by holding out her palm and then licking it.
The design of the memorial is simple yet powerful. It consists of a semicircular stone wall with granite benches placed in front. The wall is inscribed with the names of the nineteen innocent victims who were executed during the witch trials.
Don’t Question the Magic of Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus, as a film, makes little sense. The plot, about a coven of witches who seek to eat children, involves a talking cat, a boy who despises trick-or-treating, and far too many mentions of virgins lighting candles. Released inexplicably in the middle of summer 1993, it was a box-office failure that put off critics.
But Hocus Pocus, as a cultural phenomenon, makes perfect sense. The costumes are easily replicable, the one-liners fantastically quotable. The movie is campy, with a catchy musical number and exaggerated performances. Given its Halloween setting, Hocus Pocus has become as ubiquitous come autumn as pumpkin-spice lattes. The biggest fans watch it every October, when it airs almost daily on TV.
So of course Disney made a sequel. Hocus Pocus 2, which started streaming on Disney+ yesterday, revives the reviled Sanderson sisters—Winifred, Mary, and Sarah (played respectively by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker)—nearly 30 years after the original. Like the trio of eccentric spell-casting divas at its center, this follow-up is bizarre, flashy, and chaotic. And yet, it’s also satisfying to take in.
I’m not a die-hard Hocus Pocus fan—it’s never been an annual viewing event for me, more of a catch-it-on-in-the-background kind of thing—but I nevertheless found myself charmed by the new entry. The film wears its ridiculousness so proudly, it’s impossible to disdain. It is both a diverting watch and a sly commentary on its predecessor’s strengths. Hocus Pocus 2 understands that Hocus Pocus has a lot that doesn’t work, including an overstuffed plot, hokey dialogue, and chintzy effects. But what the original did have was a uniquely cartoonish raucousness, the kind of unpretentious silliness that can turn a mediocre movie into a cult favorite.
Hocus Pocus 2 grasps, in other words, that the first film isn’t exactly sacred storytelling—and so, as a sequel, it has more than a little fun with the material. It strips the plot to its bare bones, largely ignoring the events that came before in favor of sequences that allow the actors to chew as much scenery as possible. A flashback to the Sandersons’ childhood years in the 1600s, for example, features Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham as a fabulously hammy witch who grants them their sentient spell book, along with a wiggy Tony Hale as an arachnophobic reverend. The teenagers involved this time around play a part in the magic, instead of just gawking at the sisters. And the script pokes fun at its own ludicrousness. “Who are they performing for?” one character asks early on when Winifred, Mary, and Sarah arrive and immediately burst into song.
Speaking of the pesky threesome, none of this works without the witches themselves getting to run amok even more than they did in the original. Midler, Najimy, and Parker reprise their roles with an enthusiasm that radiates off the screen; all of them are absurdly overqualified for their parts but appear to be having the most fun they’ve ever had. Midler in particular seems to delight in every over-the-top antic, including one in which Winifred tries to navigate her way past a set of automatic doors. Instead of walking through them as they open, Midler twirls slowly, looking terrified with every degree spun. That character beat left me in stitches.
It also reminded me of what I enjoyed most about Hocus Pocus as a kid, even when I caught scenes in snippets: the leads’ commitment to making the Sanderson sisters not just odd, but naively so. Take one of my favorite moments from the 1993 film, for instance: After the witches have been tricked into thinking that the water coming from a sprinkler system is “the burning rain of death,” Winifred tests the liquid by holding out her palm and then licking it. Mary, seeing this, immediately licks her own palm too. These moves are objectively gross, yet sweetly endearing at the same time. The sisters are outcasts bewildered by everything going on around them, and that confusion makes them dependent on and devoted to one another. Not much about Hocus Pocus is realistic, except the trio’s anxiety about stepping into a world they don’t know how to navigate. Despite how much they want to eat children, they exude a defiance and obstinacy that can resonate with young audiences also caught in the turmoil of having to grow up.
Hocus Pocus 2 offers the same concoction of heartfelt weirdness. The Sandersons are more determined than ever to succeed now that they’ve been resurrected a second time, but they are even more perplexed by the world they’ve entered. The film follows their lead, playing up their closeness amid the corny jokes and kooky hijinks, rekindling the same spark that turned Hocus Pocus into a hit. So many of Disney’s recent remakes and reboots that mine the company’s back catalog have cared more about exploiting nostalgia through endless references than capturing the allure of the original work. But Hocus Pocus 2 is neither a soulless shot-for-shot re-creation nor an overwrought brand update. It highlights the chemistry that kept viewers spellbound enough to return to the first film time and time again, while dialing up the childlike fun. That’s a kind of magic not every sequel can conjure.
Each bench represents one of the victims and bears a quote from their trial transcript, reminding visitors of the injustice and hysteria that led to their deaths. A central path divides the memorial, symbolizing the division between the accused and their accusers. The path is made of cobblestones, representing the difficult and rocky path to justice. At the end of the path is a granite memorial stone with a poem by poet Elizabeth Reis etched on its surface. The poem serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of the witch trials and the importance of remembering their victims. The Witch Memorial serves as a place of reflection and remembrance. Visitors are invited to sit on the benches, read the names and quotes, and pay tribute to those whose lives were unjustly taken. The somber atmosphere of the memorial encourages contemplation on the consequences of unchecked fear and the dangers of mass hysteria. In addition to the memorial, Salem has several other attractions related to the witch trials, including the Salem Witch Museum and the Witch House. Together, these sites provide a comprehensive understanding of the events that took place in the town centuries ago, and the lasting legacy they left behind. The Witch Memorial in Salem, Massachusetts, is a poignant reminder of the dark history of the witch trials. It stands as a testament to the importance of justice, tolerance, and the ongoing fight against prejudice and fear. As visitors explore the memorial and learn about the events that unfolded in Salem, they are reminded of the dangers of allowing hysteria and unfounded accusations to dictate the course of justice. The Witch Memorial serves as a solemn tribute to the victims of the witch trials and an enduring symbol of the need for vigilance in protecting the rights and lives of all individuals..
Reviews for "The Witch Trials Memorial: A Place for Salem to Confront Its Troubled Past"
- Susan Johnson - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my visit to the Witch Memorial in Salem. The whole experience felt tacky and commercialized. The memorial itself is just a small stone with the names of the victims, which is underwhelming considering the historical significance of the witch trials. The surrounding area is filled with souvenir shops and tourist traps, which really detracts from the solemnity of the place. I wish there was more effort put into preserving the history and honoring the victims rather than exploiting it for profit.
- Michael Thompson - 1 star - I had high expectations for the Witch Memorial in Salem, but it turned out to be a major letdown. The memorial is poorly maintained and lacks any informative plaques or displays to provide context and educate visitors. It feels like a missed opportunity to learn about the tragic events that took place during the witch trials. Additionally, the area surrounding the memorial is filled with cheesy attractions and gift shops, which cheapens the experience. I was hoping for a more respectful and educational visit, but unfortunately, the Witch Memorial did not deliver.
- Emily Davis - 2 stars - I found the Witch Memorial in Salem to be quite underwhelming. The memorial itself is just a small stone, and there isn't much else to see or do in the area. The lack of interpretive signage or educational materials made it difficult to fully grasp the significance of the site. I understand that the witch trials are a dark part of history, but I believe there could have been more effort put into creating a meaningful and informative experience for visitors. Overall, I left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with my visit to the Witch Memorial.