When Disney released “Hocus Pocus” 30 years ago, the cast never thought it would grow into the cult classic it is today.
“It’s really surreal,” Omri Katz, who played Max Dennison, told MassLive Saturday. “I think we’re all just kind of astonished and baffled at the whole situation. So, I’m grateful and honored and humbled by all of it.”
More than 250 fans waited hours in the rain to take pictures and get autographs from Katz, Vinessa Shaw, Thora Birch and Jason Marsden under a tent in the Salem Common on Oct. 21.
The allure of Salem, both in “Hocus Pocus” and where the meet-and-greet was held, is what attracted fans to have their childhood dreams fulfilled, according to the actors.
“It’s represented so much in the movie,” said Jason Marsden, who voiced Thackery Binx as a cat. “It’s a character in the movie and you can feel it permeating with these wonderful people who are soaking wet, waiting in the rain just to talk with us knuckleheads. It feels really good.”
Marsden said the movie represents that nostalgic feeling that so many Halloween fans, including himself, love. Aside from the whacky witches and spooky storyline, Katz said people mostly relate to the bonds and relationships among the film’s characters.
“Whether it’s the three evil sisters or the three children with the cat, there’s this heart-warming feeling that everybody kind of gets,” he said. “I think that’s what Disney brings to the table and this movie represents that as well.”
“There’s something timeless about it,” Marsden’s partner, Remy Dee, said. “The comedy is timeless, the relationships are timeless, and I feel that part of it resonates. It’s just a good story.”
This is the first time that Shaw and Birch have been to Salem since shooting “Hocus Pocus” in 1993, according to Dee. The cast plans on visiting some of the filming locations Sunday.
