What happened to the magic spell?

Bewitched undeniably was one of the most popular American TV shows of all time. Originally, it was supposed to star English actress Tammy Grimes, who in 1963 was starring in the Broadway production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Ms. Grimes, however, didn’t like the material and turned it down. Then came Elizabeth Montgomery (daughter of actor Robert Montgomery) selling to the Bewitched producers a material called The Fun Couple. She was to star in it, while her husband, William Asher, directed. In the end, Ms. Montgomery was swayed by the Bewitched producers to star as the witch Samantha Stephens in "their" production, but still with her husband directing.

And so Bewitched premiered on Sept. 17. 1964, with Dick York cast as Darrin, the husband of Samantha. The two had a wonderful on-screen chemistry (yeah, they kissed a lot in front of the camera, while Elizabeth Montgomery’s husband directed). Unfortunately, York had to bow out of the show toward the late ’60s because of serious back problems that started when he tore some muscles from his spine while working in a film with Gary Cooper in 1959. Deep at work on a Bewitched episode one time, the pain became so unbearable that he had to be brought to the hospital. That was the last time he was seen on the Bewitched set.

Dick York was eventually replaced by another Dick (no pun intended) – Dick Sargent. The show didn’t explain anymore why Darrin Stephens suddenly looks different. The viewers, however, responded by switching to other channels. The show’s ratings eventually dipped so low that it had its last airing on July 1, 1972.

Although this program was on the air for only less than a decade, it remains popular to this day – thanks to reruns (I think Studio 23 is still airing it on some afternoons).

In 1977, ABC also produced a Bewitched spin-off, Tabitha – about the grown-up years of Darrin and Samantha Stephens’ daughter. This show lasted only a year and has been forgotten by most TV viewers. Apparently, nothing beats the original and Bewitched remains one of the best-loved TV programs all over the world.

And now, we have Bewitched the movie, which is still showing in Metro Manila theaters.

But unlike Charlie’s Angels, another popular American TV show that was turned into a movie, the plot of Bewitched isn’t exactly carried over to the big screen.

The movie plot is actually interesting. Here we see how Bewitched, the popular TV series of the ’60s, is revived on American television. In the story, the program makes a comeback primarily as a vehicle for an actor (played by Will Ferrell), already considered box-office poison in Hollywood. Everything is already set for the series’ return to television. Even Samantha’s mother (originally played by Agnes Moorehead) has been cast (with Shirley MacLaine playing the part this time). Only one detail has to be settled. Who will play Samantha?

Although hundreds have auditioned for the role, they bring in a pretty blonde (Nicole Kidman), who – without them knowing it – turns out to be a real witch.

The concept of Bewitched, the movie, is brilliant. With this kind of plotline, the film gets to show the ugly, but very interesting and colorful side of show business. In a lot of scenes in the movie, we get to see how people use people to get ahead in the race. But that is how it is in show business – and I applaud the think-tank team behind Bewitched for presenting this reality to the public.

Too bad, the bright ideas stop there. It is only the plot that is great. The screenplay actually begs for laughs, which rarely come during the entire run of the film.

What’s most abominable is the fact that there is such a waste of great talent here. Imagine Nicole Kidman, Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine (as Nicole’s father) – Academy Award winners all — taking part in a film like this with a second-rate script?

Okay, maybe I’m being too harsh. In fairness to Bewitched, the movie, there are also some fun scenes in it – mostly in the sequences where the evil schemes of Will Ferrell backfire and he becomes the victim of his own wicked machinations.

But in most parts of the film, we need a witch’s brew to keep us awake because the movie is terribly boring. It’s also sad that there is no magic in the team-up of Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell. Even when Ferrell starts mending his ways and finally becomes a good guy, we don’t want Nicole Kidman to fall for him. (You’d rather see her end up with the dog in the movie.) When you leave the theater, you start wondering what kind of spell was cast over you for having allowed yourself to be tricked into watching a sorry comedy like Bewitched.

Poor Elizabeth Montgomery (she died of cancer in 1995). She must be turning in her grave. No, she’s probably doing cartwheels – even somersaults – six feet under because of what they did to her beloved TV series.