‘Hocus Pocus’: Was That Actually Sarah Jessica Parker Singing ‘Come Little Children’?
For the California transplant named Max, the rumors surrounding Salem, Ma. is just a bunch of hocus pocus. That is, until this character comes face-to-face with the singing and dancing Sanderson Sisters named Winnie, Mary, and Sarah.
Sarah Sanderson even has the power to hypnotize children with one magical song. Here’s what we know about some songs featured in this Disney Halloween flick, Hocus Pocus.
The Disney Halloween movie ‘Hocus Pocus’ premiered in 1993
She’s known for her role in television shows like Sex and the City and films like Footloose, Failure to Launch, and Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Sarah Jessica Parker also portrayed Sarah Sanderson in the film Hocus Pocus.
“I don’t have a lot of memories. I remember the filming of it. I just don’t remember what the movie’s about as much,” Parker said Tuesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “Three witches, I’ve been told that, and apparently, my character’s not very bright. But I fly and sing, and I think I like to suck the life… I think I like to kill children? I don’t know.”
Although Winnie Sanderson was the brains behind their witching, the Sanderson sisters each had their own traits. Mary used a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom.
Sarah Sanderson had a few spells up her sleeve, but she could also enchant children by singing to them on her broomstick. “Come, Little Children,” also known as “Sarah’s Theme” and “Garden of Magic” appears several times throughout Hocus Pocus.
Did Sarah Jessica Parker sing the ‘Hocus Pocus’ song ‘Come, Little Children’
Although she’s known for her acting skills, Parker is also a singer, even performing the song “Tomorrow” in conjunction with Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Parker was also the singer behind the recording of “Come Little Children” featured in Hocus Pocus.
Unfortunately, there’s no Parker version of this song available on music streaming platforms like Spotify. Parker isn’t the only Sanderson Sister who sang during this movie.
One of the most iconic numbers from Hocus Pocus is performed by Midler as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson. When Max introduced this character to a Halloween party, she was sure to serenade everybody with “I Put a Spell on You.”
‘Hocus Pocus’ songs appeared in other Disney productions
As a fan-favorite Halloween movie, the Walt Disney Company brought the Sanderson sisters back for Walt Disney World’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties. There was also the Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary celebration.
Artists Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, and Jordin Sparks performed their version of “I Put a Spell on You.” In 2020, the original Sanderson Sisters reunited to perform this song for a virtual Halloween event benefiting the New York Restoration Project.
Hocus Pocus is available for streaming on Disney+, as are Halloween favorites like Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Halloweentown. To learn more about Disney’s subscription service, visit their website.
