‘Hocus Pocus’ Cast Member Reveals Bette Midler Added Her Feet to Her Movie Contract

Disney’s 1993 cult classic Hocus Pocus will conjure up its sequel in 2022, marking the return of the hilariously nefarious Sanderson sisters. Made famous by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, the witchy trio returned to Salem after a 300-year magical exile. Midler played the oldest sister Winnie, with Najimy as Mary and Parker as Sarah.

Though the cast enjoyed their experience making the film, one rumor about Midler still sticks with actor Doug Jones. It has to do with her feet.

‘Hocus Pocus’ actor reveals rumor about Bette Midler’s feet

Broomsticks, spells, and soul-sucking sorcery kept Hocus Pocus entertaining on screen. But behind the scenes, one of Midler’s supposed requests made filming interesting. Doug Jones — who played zombie Billy Butcherson — chatted with E! News about the movie in 2020 and reflected on one rumor.

“Bette Midler. I heard a rumor that she had it written into her contract that there had to be an isolated shot of her feet walking somewhere in the film,” he said. “You’ll see two shots in the party scene. One where she’s entering the room, another one on stage — it’s a quick blip — while she’s walking across the stage. If you look at it quickly, it’s like, why would they even bother to put that clip in there? It was contractual.”

Jones is referring to a musical number

For those who want to know where in Hocus Pocus the foot shots appear, it’s during Winnie’s musical entrance to “I Put a Spell on You.” In the middle of their stage performance, the Sandersons take a few steps, and only the bottoms of their dresses are in the frame. For just a few seconds, Midler’s 16th-century shoes are front and center.

While the jury is out on whether the rumor is true, Midler had a blast working on the movie with Parker and Najimy. Perhaps the only downside was that she experienced back pain after riding the brooms on a wire harness. The women spent weeks mastering their flying apparatuses, and it caused some discomfort.

However, Midler told Katie Couric that she loved bringing a wave of Halloween magic to the screen in the ‘90s.

‘Hocus Pocus 2’ will welcome Midler back as Winnie

All three of the creepy witches will return in Disney’s revival. Midler, Najimy, and Parker will fly once again, wearing their 17th-century wardrobe — including the signature witches’ boots. As for the plot, details are scant, but it’s widely known that three young women will accidentally resurrect the witches. How?

Word is the Sandersons’ old abode has been converted into a magic store, and a young girl named Becca from modern times buys a black flame candle. She summons the trio and they wreak havoc. Disney plans to release the spooky sequel on Disney+ in fall 2022.