We have had frost the last few nights. I have an upright jumbo elephant ear in a large pot in front of the garage. I’m trying to decide exactly what I’m going to do with it. I think I’ll just wheel it into the garage and cover it with a sheet. I also have three little guys who just decided to come up late this summer. Those are really stumping me. I think I’ll dig them up and put them in their own little pots. If I dry them out and end up with corms (that’s what the “seed” is called), it will take weeks for them to reach any size at all. We finally got some rain last week so things are a little greener. And, that’s the weather report plus a little! Anyway, welcome to the last Monday in October and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of Suzy Turner, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram. Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Suzy chose this month’s song. Last time, Shelbee selected “Who’s That Girl?” by Madonna. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!
The artist…
The Divine Miss M was born on December 1, 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii! That really surprised me because I would have thought she was New York City born and bred. Anyway, most of us know her as a singer, but she’s also an actress, comedian, author, and philanthropist. Among her many awards are four Golden Globes, three Grammy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards (that’s a shockingly low number), and a Kennedy Center Honor! Midler’s family was Jewish in a mostly Asian neighborhood. Her father was a painter at a US Navy base though he also painted houses. Her mother was a seamstress and housewife. Midler was named after Bette Davis though she doesn’t pronounce her name the same. Bette Davis was a Betty while Bette Midler is a Bet! Interestingly, she was voted “Most Talkative” in the 1961 school Hoss Election (I have no idea what that is) and “Most Dramatic” in her senior year of 1963. I think it would be fair to say theater is in her DNA!
A little more…
In 1965, Midler moved to New York City (see, I knew NYC was there somewhere). Her first professional onstage role was in off-off-Broadway plays like Miss Nefertiti Regrets and Cinderella Revisited. In October 1966, she became part of the cast of Fiddler on the Roof. She played Rivka and understudied the oldest daughter, Tzeitel. In 1967, she assumed the role of Tzeitel and played it until 1970. Midler became popular in 1970 when she sang in the Continental Baths, a local gay bathhouse. It was there she met Barry Manilow who produced her first album, The Divine Miss M in 1972. That album reached Billboard’s Top 10 and was a million-selling Platinum-certified album. Midler received the 1973 Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The album included “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” which was a cover of the tune originally sung by the Andrews Sisters in 1941. Midler sees them as her idols and inspiration. In fact, Patty Andrews said, “When I first heard the introduction on the radio, I thought it was our old record. When Bette opened at the Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Maxene and I went backstage to see her. Her first words were, ‘What else did you record?’” Maxene presented Midler with an honorary bugle during one of her concerts! She recorded other Andrews Sisters’ songs, including “In the Mood” and “Lullaby of Broadway”.
Even more…
Her first starring film role came with The Rose in 1979. That won her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical. She also received several nominations for that same role. In this movie, she portrays Mary Rose Foster who was modeled after the late Janis Joplin. The soundtrack album sold more than two million copies in the US alone and earned a Double Platinum certification. The single, “The Rose,” was number one on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart for five consecutive weeks and rose as high as number three on Billboard’s Hot 100. It was Midler’s first Gold single and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. In all, she has released 14 studio albums as a solo artist. These have sold over 30 million records worldwide. While she continued to release albums throughout the 70s, the 80s saw Midler’s acting career take off once again. In 1988, she appeared in the movie, Beaches, with Barbara Hershey. The song, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” went to number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 and achieved Platinum status. Midler won her third Grammy Award for Record of the Year -1990. She would continue to act and produce albums throughout the 90s and 2000s. Interestingly, she turned down a role that would eventually go to Whoopie Goldberg, Sister Act! I wonder if she’s still kicking herself!
Our movie…
In 1993, Hocus Pocus hit the theaters! Midler, along with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy (one of my personal favorites) played the Sanderson Sisters, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary. The sisters were convicted colonial-era witches who were hung during the Salem Witch Trials. In the 1990s, they were brought back to life by teens who recite a magical spell. Initially, the reviews were mixed, but the movie became a cult hit, largely due to DVD sales and annual showings on channels like Freeform. Every year, Midler hosts a Hulaween costume party. This benefits the New York Restoration Project. She also stars in the sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, along with her original co-stars, Parker and Najimy. Not all her movies earned her good accolades. Midler has been the recipient of two Gold Raspberry Awards for Watertown, New York and Drowning Mona.
Charity work…
Midler is also involved in many charities including the Adopt-a-Highway project on both the East and West Coasts. She founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995 which is a non-profit organization that revitalizes neglected neighborhood parks in poorer areas of New York City. In 2003, Midler opened Swindler Cove Park, a 5-acre public park on the Harlem River. It features specially designed educational facilities as well as the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse. It is the first community rowing facility built on the Harlem River in more than 100 years. The program offers free in-school and after-school environmental education to students from high poverty schools. After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, Midler also established programs to help wounded service members and their families, giving them resources and, in some cases custom hoes. Since the Gulf War, Midler visits the USO and military bases, serving them meals just before deployment. She also pledged to match Pink with a donation of $500,000 to help Australia during the wildfires of 2020.
The song…
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine
You can’t stop the things I do
I ain’t lyin’
It’s been three hundred years
Right down to the day
Now the witch is back
And there’s hell to pay
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine!
[Verse 1: Winifred]
Hello, Salem!
My name’s Winifred!
What’s yours?
[Chorus: Winifred, (Mary and Sara)]
I put a spell on you
And now you’re gone
(Gone, gone, gone, so long!)
My whammy fell on you
And it was strong
(So strong, so strong, so strong!)
Your wretched little lives
Have all been cursed
‘Cause of all the witches working
I’m the worst
I put a spell on you
And now you’re mine
The original…
The song was originally sung by “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins and co-written with Herb Slotkin. Hawkins was a blues singer and had intended to record the song as a love song, but ribs, chicken, and some booze led to the screaming version many of us have heard. In fact, he doesn’t even remember recording this “weird version” of the song. Hawkins said, “Before, I was just a normal blues singer. I was just Jay Hawkins. It all sort of just fell in place. I found out I could do more destroying a song and screaming it to death.” The first version, the ballad, was released in late 1955. The screaming version was released in October, 1956 and was banned because of its “cannibalistic” style. That record sold over a million dollars! Alan Freed, a groundbreaking disc jockey out of Cleveland, added Hawkins to his “Rock and Roll Revue.” And, here’s where it gets fun! Hawkins would wear a long cape and appear onstage, rising out of a coffin in the midst of smoke and fog. Later on, Hawkins took it even further and wore tusks in his nose, added snakes to the stage as well as fireworks. He also had a cigarette smoking skull named Henry…definitely a shock rock performance! You can read the original lyrics here.
What it means…
I think we can talk about both versions at once. The song is talking about a spell being put on either a crowd of people or just one person depending on which version. The movie version is about cursing a crowd of people while the original version is about cursing the person to whom the song is being sung. One is for evil while the other is for love.
The video…
There are several versions of the video from the movie, Hocus Pocus, but I thought this one was the most complete. The song begins around the 1:30 minute mark.
Interesting covers…
This video was produced for the 25th anniversary of the movie. It’s a little more “produced,” but it’s still fun!
This one is really good. The songs, the story in the video…all of it!
Oh, this one is soooo good! It gives me Day of the Dead vibes as well as just being sung so well!
And, the Glamour Toad herself, Ginger Minj presents her version (I’m pretty sure this came from a special Halloween show).
My interpretation…
Well, I took care of one wardrobe hole last month. I finally bought some fishnets. But, now, I’ve discovered I need a corset! I consulted with my hair stylist because she’s a huge Halloween fan and probably has the Sanderson Sisters on speed dial! She said jewel tones, a crinoline (don’t have one of those either) and layers. I watched the video, and I was positive I had the colors right for Winifred. I think I’m fairly close! I started with this quilted teal skirt from Gudrun Sjödén. I bought this last year on a whim and have never worn it. I even thought about consigning it. It’s just a bit bulky, but it was perfect for this challenge. Then, since I don’t have a crinoline, I used my orange tulle skirt. I added a tee for coverage and, instead of a corset, wore the Woven Vest from Gudrun Sjödén. To top it all off, I wore a wrap dress from Kantha Bae and just let it hang. Overall, I think I did a good job!
The Lewk!
Now, tell me these don’t look like witchy boots! Go on! I dare you! These are the L’Artiste Originala boots. The purple ones are in limited sizes, but the other colors (black and navy) are available in lots of sizes. The earrings are by J Crew. I bought them in the after Christmas sales last year. The rings are an assortment I’ve had for years. One of them was a gift from a friend when I was recovering from my first foot surgery. She had wrapped up several little gifts to be opened for about three weeks. One of them was this pirate like ring (because she knew how much I loved Johnny Depp). The others are from my eBay days! The necklace is from back in the day when Banana Republic did fun jewelry instead of the artsy fartsy stuff they have now!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I remember watching Hocus Pocus when it first came out, but it’s been years since I’ve watched it. I haven’t even seen the second one yet. I guess my Halloween card has been officially revoked! This movie reminds me so much of several others like Practical Magic, The Witches of Eastwick as well as The Witches. These movies were marketed toward younger kids, but they’re actually a bit scary if you’re one of those kids who spook easily. How do I know? I was one of those kids…not that any of these scared me because I was an adult. But, anything vaguely spooky was out for me when I was a kid. So, can we talk? What did you think of this version of the song? Which Sanderson Sister is your favorite? Have you ever dressed up as one of them? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
Marsha, your backstory about Bette Midler was great to read. This ‘I Put a Spell on You’ challenge — what a perfect October theme! Your layered look absolutely nailed the Winifred vibe with those rich jewel tones and witchy boots.
Rena
https://finewhateverblog.com
Thanks, Rena! I didn’t realize there was a difference in lyrics between the movie and the original. I actually did ask my hair stylist about it because she lives and breathes Halloween. Her best friend throws a Halloween party every year, and my hair stylist goes at it 1000%. She was the ghost of Marie Antoinette this year, and her outfit was amazing! I was kinda hoping she had a Sanderson Sister outfit already and would just let me borrow it!
Those do like witchy boots! What a fun theme for this week.
Thanks, Rosie! They are pretty cool, aren’t they? I keep forgetting Halloween hasn’t happened yet!
Marsha, I think you nailed it!! I LOVE that you managed to use colour in your look (mine is totally black lol) and you look fabulous. I thought the same when I was deciding what to wear….”I need a corset’ LOL!!
I’ve been a huge fan of Bette Midler ever since Beaches came out, which I watched so many times. That woman is so incredibly talented! I love her in every movie she’s in lol!
And, needless, to say, I LOVE every witchy movie too lol. Although I wouldn’t describe Witches of Eastwick as for younger audiences though lol! That was a bit scary for kids!!
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
PS Fab song choice for next month!
Thanks, Suzy! I watched the video over and over again and still got the colors wrong! But, I really like the outfit so all is well. Believe it or not, I’ve never seen Beaches. I think it came out when I was busy raising kids and just never saw it. I loved her in First Wives Club. Witches of Eastwick is so wickedly good…Jack Nicholson is just so smarmy! I need to start thinking about next month!
Great outfit Marsha! I actually don’t think I’ve seen Hocus Pocus in its entirety. Maybe I will this week. I love super scary movies, not slasher movies but scary/haunted ones!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you, Kellyann! I haven’t seen it in several years so I need to rewatch it and the sequel. I like the psychological thrillers best as well as some haunted ones.
I have tired a bit of Hocus Pocus – maybe because it’s on all the time here – and I have never seen the second one.
Old-fashioned as I am, my favorite Halloween movie is still Dracula with Bela Lugosi. “Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.” It never gets old for me.
The layered look is perfect and I’m so much in love with the look of those boots!
Thank you, Cat! The boots were a Christmas gift from my kids. I forgot to tell that story. They had bought me an outrageously priced pair of sneakers which were the wrong size, but they wanted to get me that kind. So, I told them I really wanted these boots and got them instead (and saved them $$$)! I haven’t watched Hocus Pocus in several years (and haven’t seen the second either). Oh, that’s a good one! I think there was one with Gary Oldman that I liked, too. But, you can’t beat Bela Lugosi!
I had no idea Bette Midler was from Hawaii either. I remember watching The Rose and Beaches and, of course, Hocus Pocus, although I haven’t seen the sequel. This outfit is perfect—I love the pretty shades of blue!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! I think I was supposed to actually be wearing green, but blue it was! I know…she just seems like a native born New Yorker! I just read they’re going to make a third, but that could just be AI talking. You never know these days.
What a fabulous outfit, Marsha! You definitely captured some amazingly witchy vibes with these beautiful flowy layers! I did not dive into Bette Midler’s biographical information so I was really surprised to read about her 1990 film, Stella (or Watertown, New York). I live in Watertown, New York, and I have no idea why I was never aware of this movie. Now I absolutely must watch it! This was one of my favorite Songful Style prompts. It was so much fun and so perfect for the season! Well done, as always, my friend.
Shelbee
Thanks, my friend! Now, I want a corset! I thought about you when I read about that movie and wondered if you’d heard of it. I hadn’t so, obviously, I haven’t seen it. I loved her in First Wives Club. She’s so feisty! I just love that about her. It really was a fun one, wasn’t it?
Fabulous choice! Beth Midler is such a amazing woman! I loved her singing The Rose. I was magnified by her gorgeous red curls! And hocus pocus! Loved that!
Thanks, Nancy! I just think she’s so cool and, yes, that hair is gorgeous! Did you see they’re making a third one?
Love those blues on you! Great interpretation!
Thanks, Lisa! I was hoping it would all come together, and I think it did!
That is an adorable witchy outfit with your witchy boots. I have only watched Hocus Pocus once a few years ago and we were not fans in this house. Much too weird for us. But I do remember being terrified of the witch in The Wizard of Oz as a kid so I don’t think I would have liked Hocus Pocus when I was younger either. I was definitely one of those kids that was afraid of my own shadow.
Thanks, Joanne! I haven’t watched it for a few years and need to rewatch it, then watch the sequel. I just heard they’re making a third one. I can’t remember if the witch scared me or not. I think I was more afraid of the tornado than anything! Oh, and the flying monkeys terrified me!
I love the movement of your kimono! You really captured it in the photos.
I just tried watching Hocus Pocus with the girls this weekend, but the youngest got scared promptly 😂 Maybe next year!
Thank you, Edi! I have to give Mike the credit for the movement! He just snaps away, and I pick them out! There are other good movies/cartoons for them. I think most that are marketed toward kids really are looking at the older kids anyway.
You always create a fabulous look because while I get inspired by the paintings and other women’s outfits, I always have trouble with the songs.
And the boots rock
Xoxo
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I watch the videos several times for inspiration. If I can’t find any there, I go with the way the music makes me feel or things I remember if it’s from my era!
Such a fabulous look Marsha! I love the duster and the way you layered underneath. Bette Midler is so amazing!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! I was really happy with the outfit. And, Bette Midler is truly an icon!
Those boots are just plain amazing! You need a blog post just about all of your L’artiste boots! Love you choice for the color scheme: what a great idea to use that to put together your outfit and the flowiness of the skirt and dress give the right vibe.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! That’s a good idea. I might have to do that. I had a lot of fun with this outfit. I really like the tulle under the other skirt.
You nailed the look, Marsha, and you look stunning in that color, too! I saw an interview with Bette Midler last week and was so impressed by how humble she is, considering her many acts of service! I’ve always enjoyed her performances but, can you believe it, I’ve never seen Hocus Pocus! It’s on my list – hopefully I’ll watch it in the next few years with my granddaughters! It looks so cute!
Thanks so much, Laura! I appreciate the compliment. I will have to look for that interview. I haven’t watched Hocus Pocus in several years but need to watch it before watching the next two!
I love the colorful layered look for this challenge, and the boots are seriously perfect!
Thanks, Sally! I wasn’t sure about the orange tulle, but I think it really made the blues pop! I love these boots and need to wear them more often.
What a whimsical duster, love the print and style!
❤️carmen
https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com
Thank you so much, Carmen! At this point in my life, I’m all about the whimsy, flowy and patterns!
Long layers, dramatic sleeves? Yes! I love the vibe, but with the softer colors! This is fun!
Thanks, Laura! I had fun with this, but the struggle was real!