She’s got the teeth, the hair, and a temper that could melt a cauldron. Honestly, try to imagine anyone else shouting "Sisters!" with that specific blend of Broadway vibrato and homicidal intent. You can't. When Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson first stomped onto the screen in 1993, she didn't just play a witch—she created a blueprint for high-camp villainy that somehow became a cozy autumn tradition.
It’s weird, right? On paper, she’s a child-eating 17th-century necromancer. In reality, she’s a drag icon in a velvet coat who can’t handle a paved road or a "burning rain of death" (also known as a sprinkler system).
What Everyone Misses About Winifred's Origin
Most people think Winifred was just a character Bette Midler picked up for a quick paycheck. Wrong. Before she was Winnie, the role was actually written with Cloris Leachman in mind. Think about that for a second. Leachman would have been hilarious—she was basically comedy royalty—but the studio wanted Midler’s specific "Divine Miss M" energy to anchor the film.
Once Midler signed on, the script shifted. It became less of a dark horror flick and more of a theatrical showcase. Midler has famously said that Winifred is her favorite role she’s ever played. She wasn't just showing up; she was having the time of her life.
She even brought her own "curse" research to the set. Did you know she had two assistants follow her around with dictionaries of archaic, 17th-century slang? That’s where we get gems like "maggoty malfeasance" and "trollimog." She wanted her insults to sound authentically old-school, even if she was currently flying on a vacuum cleaner.
The Secrets Under the Green Velvet
Costume designer Mary Vogt had a massive challenge: make three witches look iconic without just putting them in "basic" black. For Winifred, the look was "medieval magician."
The green was a very deliberate choice to make Midler’s fiery red hair pop. If you look closely at the embroidery on her robes, it isn't just random squiggles. It's the Runic alphabet. It gives her this sense of ancient authority that her sisters, Sarah and Mary, clearly lack.
There’s also a sneaky connection between the witches and the "hero" of the first movie, Max. The costume department used the leftover dye from the Sanderson sisters' cloaks to color Max’s tie-dye shirt. It’s a subtle way of showing how the witches’ return was already seeping into the town of Salem before they even lit the candle.
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Why "I Put a Spell on You" Is Actually a Concert
Let’s talk about that town hall scene. For most of us, it’s the peak of the movie. According to the cast and crew, filming it felt like attending a free Bette Midler concert.
Marc Shaiman, the legendary composer, arranged the song specifically to mimic Midler’s live stage shows. He even choreographed Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker to act as "The Harlettes," which is the name of Midler’s actual real-life backup singers.
- The Lip Sync: Even though she was using a pre-recorded track, Midler belted the song at full volume on set so her throat muscles and expressions looked real.
- The "Hello Sailors" Confusion: For years, people thought she shouted "Hello Salem!" at the start of the song. Midler recently cleared this up on social media—she’s definitely saying "Hello Sailors!" as a nod to her own stage persona.
- The Inspiration: Midler took cues from Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West) but added a layer of "Grand High Witch" elegance inspired by Anjelica Huston.
The 2022 Return: Did the Magic Hold Up?
When Hocus Pocus 2 finally dropped on Disney+ in 2022, the pressure was immense. Could a 76-year-old Bette Midler still bring that same "Winnie" lightning?
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The sequel gave us something the original didn't: empathy. We saw a young Winifred (played brilliantly by Taylor Henderson) being told she was "getting old" at sixteen and being forced into marriage. It explained why she’s so obsessed with youth and why her sisters are the only thing she actually cares about—even if she calls them "thundering oafs" every five minutes.
The ending of the sequel actually divided a lot of fans. Seeing Winifred choose her sisters over ultimate power was a huge shift from the 1993 version where she was basically a cartoon villain. It humanized her. Whether you liked that change or not, you have to admit Midler’s performance in those final moments was surprisingly heartbreaking.
How to Get the Winifred Vibe (Without the Child-Eating)
If you're looking to channel your inner Winifred Sanderson, it’s all about the posture and the vocabulary. You don't need a spellbook to command a room.
- Master the "Wonky Overbite": Midler’s signature Winnie look involves a very specific lip purse that highlights those two front teeth.
- The Vocabulary Upgrade: Stop calling people "idiots." Start using "maggots," "hell-spawn," and "buck-toothed, mop-riding fireflies."
- The Calming Circle: When life gets stressful, grab two friends and form a "calming circle." It won't actually solve your problems, but it’ll make you feel much more dramatic while you deal with them.
The real reason Bette Midler as Winifred works so well is that she represents the part of us that wants to be unapologetically loud, slightly mean, and incredibly well-dressed. She’s a reminder that even when the "burning rain of death" is falling, you can still put on a show.
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To truly appreciate the character's evolution, re-watch the original 1993 film back-to-back with the opening "origin" sequence of the sequel. Pay close attention to the way the younger actors mimic Midler's specific hand gestures and walking style; it's a masterclass in character continuity that makes the Winifred persona feel like a living, breathing legend rather than just a costume.