Week of August 12: The Magic of the Original "Bewitched"

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Continuing the bird-brained saga of trying to make new television shows from classic ones is CBS, which should really know better after its under-performing non-copy of "Hawaii Five-0." Now on the target list: A new version of "Bewitched."

The original ran on ABC from 1964-72. Of course, it starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens, the witch who just wanted to live a normal life. She married Darrin Stephens, a mortal advertising executive originally played by Dick York, and he inherited her secret - and her wacky family.

The success of the show inevitably triggered a movie. With Nicole Kidman, an Oscar-winning actress, as Samantha and other cast members, including Oscar-winner Shirley MacLaine, the movie should have been a hit - if it had stuck to the original premise of the series. Screenwriter Nora Ephron chose not to do that, however, and the movie flopped.

So one has to wonder why on earth CBS programming head Nina Tassler is turning to the producers of that failed effort for a new series.

But enough (please!) about any remakes. Let's focus on the original series.

Montgomery and York (who had to leave halfway through the fifth season because of serious back problems) were joined by a quality cast: Agnes Moorehead as Endora, Samantha's mother; Marion Lorne (through Season 4) as Aunt Clara; Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur; Alice Ghostley (after Season 4) as Esmerelda; Maurice Evans as Samantha's father (also named Maurice); Alice Pearce, then Sandra Gould with George Tobias as the neighbor Kravitzes and David White as Larry Tate, Darrin's boss. There were also occasional players, including Bernard Fox as Dr. Bombay. For most of the show's run, twins Erin and Diane Murphy played Tabitha, the Stephens' young daughter.

There were two secret weapons: The large writing staff, beginning with series creator Sol Saks, who took typical family and business situations and added a "bewitching" element to them, and the special effects team - particuarly after Season 3, the first season the show was broadcast in color.

Another secret weapon was the show's message of tolerance. In just one episode, Season 7's "Sisters at Heart," in which Tabitha puts black and white polka dots on herself and her African-American friend Lisa, is the issue tackled overtly. But it was an undercurrent throughout the series.

Here's one example: Season 3's "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara," in which Samantha is trying to prevent Endora and other witches from putting her dear aunt out to pasture - an apt analogy for the treatment of many senior citizens:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ByYBq1n3M

The entire series is available on DVD. Stick with that one. Avoid any pale imitations.

See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!