TheLittleSongbird
Despite being a younger viewer of 'Bewitched', with the show being aired well before my time, one doesn't need to have been born in the 1960s or before to feel that the 60s was a great decade for television, 'The Munsters', 'The Addams Family', 'Doctor Who' and 'Bewitched' being just a few very good to classic shows.'Bewitched' may not be a perfect or completely magical show, but at its best (with the early seasons being better than the later ones) it was utterly bewitching viewing that puts a spell on fans and doesn't make the mistake of trying to put too much into the cauldron. A mistake that the frustrating missed opportunity that was the 2005 film based on the show committed.The later seasons did have some overripe acting (Alice Ghostley for example) and some of the story lines lack the freshness of those of the early seasons, some being lacking in variety and feeling a little stale.However, 'Bewitched' has production values that were clearly made with love and affection and the slick photography complements them well. For the 60s, the show does still look pretty good. The effects are not always special (particularly early on) and there could have been more of them but most of the time they are hardly slapdash, make interesting use of film techniques and have a good deal of charm, putting some effects seen on television these days, and in the past 30 years or so, to shame.When it comes to the music, 'Bewitched' is unique especially in, as has been picked up upon in its critical reception, the synthesised sound of nose twitching. The theme tune is memorable. The writing is very funny, touchingly charming, very snappy, provokes thought and is very true to life. The early episodes narration delivered by an uncredited Jose Ferrer gave a lot of sociological insight into a witch adapting to life in middle class suburbia and her role in society.Most of the story lines have a real magical charm and have a huge amount of humour and truth. That they do these so well more than makes up for the formulaic nature of them that one is willing to overlook. The sociological insight is fascinating, though nowadays viewers may find what is said and the sociological insights very of the time.Particularly successful are the large assortment of likable characters and the large cast clearly having the time of their lives. A large part of 'Bewitched's' charm is the peerless acting of lovely Elizabeth Montgomery. Likewise with Agnes Moorehead, one cannot imagine anybody else as Endora (certainly not equalling her if tried let alone outshining, Moorehead was one of a kind).Her chemistry with a splendidly neurotic Dick York is one of the best in the history of television, though York and Montgomery aren't that far behind either. Dick Sargeant does a valiant effort filling big shoes replacing York and does a good job, though he lacks York's spark. In secondary roles, the hilarious turns from Bernard Fox and especially Paul Lynde stand out.In summary, utterly bewitching. 8/10 Bethany Cox
earlytalkie
When Elizabeth Montgomery passed away in 1995, it was one of two times that I cried when I heard of an actor's passing. (The other was Lucille Ball in 1989). Elizabeth would always be the beautiful, winsome Samantha Stephens of Bewitched on film. Forever young, forever magical. Bewitched was an excellent fantasy sitcom in it's first three seasons. Great casting, terrific scripts and a slick production. Who can forget Agnes Moorehead as Endora? Or the other great actors that trouped through the series? Alice Pearce as the first Gladys Kravitz. Marion Lorne as Aunt Clara. Mabel Albertson as Darrin's mother. Paul Lynde as Uncle Arthur. Dick York and Dick Sargent who both did good jobs as Darrin. Unfortunately, the show began to lose steam after season 3. Scripts became more silly and repetitive and the good acting was reduced to exaggerated mugging. But those first three seasons were pure TV gold and are shows to be cherished.
trevixarama
I grew up as a child watching Bewitched and was loved it so much, as an adult i have found myself totally Bewitched by this TV sitcom and i can truly say its one of the best series of all times. Elizabeth Montgomery stars as a witch who marries a mortal and tries to live a normal mortal live without the use of witchcraft however has to resort to using it to get herself or Darrin out of all sorts of trouble in their day to day living. This series brings warmth, love and laughter to us in a way no other series has and i still re watch it every chance i have and also own the complete DVD box set. Im also so happy to see the new generation taking a liking to it which will hopefully keep this series forever alive.
hfan77
In the early 60s, ABC had few sitcom hits. Then in 1964, Bewitched made its debut and became a hit gimmick show. The key to the show's success was the premise of Darren and Samantha trying to live a normal suburban life much to the chagrin of her witching relatives, especially her mother Endora. Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York had outstanding chemistry and Agnes Moorehead played the role of the meddling mother-in-law so well. There was also David White as Darren's boss Larry Tate and frequently adding to the chaos were Alice Pearce and Sandra Gould as Gladys Kravitz, who shouted to her husband "ABNER!" when she saw something suspicious next door. There were a number of talent people who played Samantha's relatives, including Marion Lorne as Aunt Clara and veteran Shakespearean actor Maurice Evans as Samantha's father. But the funniest of her relatives was Uncle Arthur, played by Paul Lynde. There was one episode I remember when he gave a magic show at Tabitha's birthday party and conjured up a Playboy bunny instead of a real bunny. But in 1969, Dick York left the show and was quietly replaced by Dick Sargent. Sargent, to me, wasn't as good as York and it showed in a sharp ratings decline. Also, the show was starting to get old and tired and even some of the later episodes were remakes of earlier ones. Some later episodes i remember were the ones that were filmed in Salem, MA and Europe. It brought some life to a tired sitcom but after eight seasons, it's last up against All in the Family, Bewitched was zapped from the airwaves and into syndication after ABC reran the show in both daytime and Saturday morning. Bewitched was a great show for several years until it started losing its magic.
