On The Reference Shelf, we highlighted other media- such as TV shows, movies, plays and books- that had referenced Bewitched in some manner. Here we do the reverse, highlighting the times where Bewitched itself made reference to contemporary or historical media, celebrities or pop culture.
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Harpies Bizarre magazine, read by various witches in several episodes, spoofs the popular Harper's Bazaar fashion magazine, which has been around since Victorian times. (It was named Harper's Bazar from 1867 to 1929, after which another "a" was added.) Taking it to the next level is this Web site, Bewitched @ Harpies Bizarre, which spoofs the spoof! |
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# 1, "I, Darrin, Take This Witch, Samantha" - In the first spell of the series (or the second, if you count Sam's first abbreviated attempt), Samantha tries to get Endora to vanish from the honeymoon suite:
While its origin is unclear, one of the earliest written instances of the folk verse / counting game rhyme that this spell is derived from can be found in the 1822 book, "Mother Goose's Quarto": One-ery, you-ery, ekery, Ann, This book also marks what may be Mother Goose's pictorial debut, in which she is shown on the title page as a lean and smiling grandmother, attended by two young and adoring children. Variations of this spell can also be heard in # 109, "Toys in Babeland" and # 240, "The Eight-Year Witch." (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 1, "I, Darrin, Take
This Witch, Samantha," when Samantha is telling Darrin about her
heritage, she says, "You don't believe me." There are a number of stories and legends behind Missouri's
sobriquet "Show-Me" state. The slogan is not official, but
is common throughout the state and is used on Missouri license plates.
However the slogan originated, it is now used to indicate the stalwart,
conservative, noncredulous character of Missourians. |
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In # 5, "Help, Help,
Don't Save Me," Endora and Samantha were discussing Darrin's insistence
on doing the Caldwell Soup campaign on his own, without help from Sam's
witchcraft. Samantha says that Darrin is "A dedicated man."
Endora: "So was Caesar, and all it got him was a torn toga." Another Caesar reference can be found in # 19, "A Nice Little Dinner Party." Phyllis says that she's not going to the play with Frank and Endora, even if the play were "Julius Caesar with the original cast." Another Caesar reference: # 109, "Toys in Babeland" - CLICK HERE Another Caesar reference: # 161, "Marriage, Witches’ Style" - CLICK HERE |
In # 6, "Little Pitchers Have Big Fears," Samantha tells Gladys at the little league game to keep watching Marshall's (magically) improved playing because "You Aint Seen Nothing Yet!" - the famous quote by Al Jolson, heard in his many vaudeville shows and in 1927's The Jazz Singer, one of the first "talkie" films. He is well known for having used stage blackface, which at the time was a theatrical convention used by many performers (both white and black), but is today seen as a racial slur. |
# 7, "The Witches Are Out" - In the scene touting "witches' rights," Aunt Clara's "Vote for Coolidge" sign refers to Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States (1923-1929), and the first to be elected after women won the right to vote in 1920. While in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, he voted for a resolution to give women voting rights. This later became the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. |
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In # 8, "The Girl Reporter,"
we hear a reference to the main character from Mark Twain's (Samuel
Clemens) 1885 novel, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." In another reference from this episode, Liza's boyfriend, Monster, refers to Liza as "...the most irresistible thing to come along since Brigitte Bardot". Yet another comes in after Samantha gives Monster a half apple,
half banana cream pie. She says, "Stephens' speciality...and let
your conscience be your guide." "Let your conscience be your
guide" comes from the song, "Give a Little Whistle,"
sung by Jiminy Cricket in Walt Disney's Pinocchio. |
Endora spoofs the famous Western Airlines "Wally the Bird" ad campaign when she sips champagne and says, "It's the only way to fly!" while riding atop a transcontinental airliner in # 9,"Witch or Wife." |
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In # 11, "It Takes One to Know One," Samantha, in referring to Sarah Baker (aka Janine Fleur - Miss Jasmine), says to Endora, "Even Sir Galahad wouldn't be safe with her." In # 13, "Love is Blind," after Samantha zaps Susan into becoming annoyed with Kermit, Susan says, "I've had it with this muscle-bound Sir Gallahad." The son of Lancelot, Sir Galahad was a pure and noble knight of the Round Table in Arthurian romance. He successfully sought the Holy Grail after having received a vision from God. (Another reference for # 11, "It Takes One to Know One" below.) |
# 11, "It Takes One to Know One" - By addressing Samantha as "Blithe Spirit," Sarah Baker insinuates Samantha's new role as a departed first wife. Noel Coward's 1941 play Blithe Spirit, later adapted by Coward into a 1945 film of the same name, concerns a socialite and his wife who are haunted by the spirit of his deceased first wife. Coward borrowed the name "Blithe Spirit" from a Percy Shelley poem, To a Skylark. |
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In # 13, "Love is Blind," after Darrin repeatedly accuses Samantha of setting his friend up with a witch, she gets annoyed, and jokingly says, "All of my friends are witches, and we're just waiting for the right time to swoop down on Morning Glory Circle and claim it in the name of Beelzebub!" In # 23, "Red Light, Green Light," Endora says that she will gather traffic signals from all over the world and have them installed in Morning Glory Circle “faster than you can say ‘Beelzebub’.” In the Holy Bible, Beelzebub is the name of a Philistine God, and is the title given to the chief of the demons. In the New Testament, the Pharisees referred to him as the Prince of the Devils, and accused Jesus of casting out devils in his name. Beelzebub translated means "Lord of the Flies," and he is commonly thought to appear in the form of a fly. Another for # 13, "Love is Blind" - CLICK HERE (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 13, "Love is Blind," when Darrin gets mad at Samantha for ruining the reuniting of Kermit with Susan by inviting Gertrude, Samantha tells him, “All's fair in love and war.” This common proverb has been traced back to John Lyly's 'Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit' (1578), a book that was highly popular in Elizabethan England, and which gave birth to the use of euphuism, a literary style which influenced the writing of Wm. Shakespeare. |
In # 14, "Samantha Meets the Folks," Darrin goes to talk to Aunt Clara as she is polishing her doorknobs. She shows him one that is rather large and sparkly, and she says, "Now, to a doorknob collector, this is equivalent to the Hope Diamond." At 45.52 carats, the Hope Diamond is the largest diamond in the world. Legend has it that it is cursed, due to the misfortune that has befallen many who have owned it. |
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In # 15 / 51,
"A Vision of Sugar Plums," after Darrin tries to get Michael,
their orphan guest, to lighten up about Christmas, he tells Samantha,
"Christmas doesn't mean a thing to him. He is the youngest Scrooge
I've ever seen!" For another "A Christmas Carol" reference - CLICK HERE (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 15 / 51, "A Vision of Sugar Plums," Samantha reads Michael a story about Tom Thumb, a little boy no bigger than his father's thumb. This story comes from English folklore. The first written copy of it is attributed to Richard Johnson, as his initials appear on the first known copy of it titled, "The History of Tom Thumbe," in 1621. |
# 16, "It’s Magic"
- When Samantha goes to visit Zeno the Magician for the first time,
she notices that he drinks an awful lot, and comments, "What are
we celebrating? Johnny Appleseed's birthday?"
(Another reference for this episode below.) |
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# 16, "It’s Magic" - When Samantha finds out she only has $50 to spend on entertainment for the Women's League, Norman the waiter tells her that he has a friend who is an average magician. She replies, "Well, with $50 we can't expect to get Harry Houdini, now can we?" # 54, “And Then There Were Three” - When Endora shows up in Samantha's hospital room, Nurse Kelton is baffled as to how she got in and remarks that not even Houdini could do it, to which Endora responds, "Houdini had a lot to learn." Houdini was a world famous magician during the early part of the 20th Century who specialized in daring escapes from such places as underwater chambers whilst having his hands and feet tied. |
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- # 17, "A Is For Aardvark" - When Samantha tells Endora that she has allowed Darrin the use of her powers, Endora believes that he'll be tempted to use the powers haphazardly, saying, "It's Adam and the Apple all over again!" - # 176, “Naming Samantha’s
New Baby” - - # 180, "Daddy Comes for a Visit" - Maurice devilishly mentions "tasting the forbidden fruit" after giving Darrin a watch that bestows upon him the powers of a warlock. These refer to the origin myths in the Christian's Bible, Judaism's Torah, and Islam's Qur'an. In these stories, Adam was the first man created, followed by Eve, his mate. In Genesis, Eve persuaded Adam (who herself had been tempted by the Devil) to eat the fruit of the forbidden "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." (Another reference for # 17, "A Is For Aardvark," below.) |
In # 17, "A Is For Aardvark," Samantha tells Darrin to ask for a banana, which will come to him by magic. He grunts out, "Banana! Come! Darrin!" She replies, "You don't have to talk like Tarzan." Tarzan was a character in a story written for All-Story magazine by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912. It tells about a boy raised in the wilds of the jungle. |
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In # 19, "A Nice Little Dinner Party," Frank says that he was so bored that he was filling in the pupils of Little Orphan Annie. Another for: # 19, "A Nice Little Dinner Party" - CLICK HERE |
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Italian sex symbol and Academy Award winning actress Sophia Loren, who was at the height of her fame during the 1960s.
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In # 21, "Ling Ling," Mrs. Kravitz has a bird named Tweety. Tweety Bird was created by Warner Brothers animation artist Bob Clampett in 1942. His original personality was that of a wild, aggressive bird who showed no mercy for his aggressors. By 1950, he had the charm and innocence that he is known for today. Tweety Bird’s voice was originally done by Mel Blanc, who also recorded the hit song, “I Tawt I Taw a Puddy-Tat” in 1950. |
In # 22, "Eye of the Beholder," the antique salesman's surname is Bodkin. A bodkin was a tool usually used for things like threading ribbon, working leather and fabrics, or even as a hairpin, but witch hunting inquisitors had a darker purpose for the instrument also known as a "witch pricker." Used to root out witches, it was pressed against the flesh, and if it didn't penetrate the flesh, or in any way failed to elicit pain, the person was deemed guilty. Trick ones were used (the point would retract as it was pressed against the flesh) to sentence more people as witches. |
| # 23, "Red Light, Green Light" - CLICK HERE |
- In # 24, "Which Witch Is Which?," Robert Frazier tells Endora (who is doubling for Samantha) that he is thinking of writing his next book about the Borgias. She then responds, "The things I could tell you about Lucrezia!" - In # 105, "Bewitched, Bothered, and Infuriated," Mrs. Baldoni tells Samantha (in reference to "Vanessa"), "I would rather have Lucrezia Borgia as a friend." - In # 205, "Darrin on a Pedestal," at the Fisherman's Memorial, Samantha tells Darrin (referring to Serena), "I have a cousin that makes Lucrezia Borgia look like Shirley Temple." Lucrezia Borgia (1480-1519) lived during the Italian Renaissance. She was the illegitimate daughter of Rodrigo Borgia and Vannozza dei Canttani. Rodrigo would later become Pope Alexander VI. The Borgias were notorious for ruthlessness when it came to furthering their political careers. There were rumors that Lucrezia had incestuous relations with her father and brother, who used her as a pawn in furthering their political careers by arranging marriages for her. |
# 28, "Open the Door Witchcraft" - After Endora zaps up fishing gear for "Dobbin", Samantha corrects her with: "Dobbin is a horse! DARRIN is my husband." This refers to the common horse name "Dobbin" used for centuries. Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" has the line: "Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fill-horse has on his tail." Also, the 1800's children's story "Dobbin the Blacksmith" championed the equine traits of its subject: Like Dobbin, let us learn to keep |
In # 30, "George, the Warlock," Samantha says, "There's Lolita now." Lolita was the title of the controversial 1955 novel by Vladimir Nabokov and 1962 film directed by Stanley Kubrick. Lolita, the title character, was a teenage sex pot that went after older men. In another from this episode, Endora says that George was the inspiration for Edgar Allen Poe's "Quoth the raven never more." This is in reference to Poe's famous poem, "The Raven." In yet another reference, George tells Samantha that he sensed her unhappiness, and wanted to "swoop down like Lochinvar." Lochinvar was a poem by Sir Walter Scott. The title character, Lochinvar, was a mythical knight who was known as a great lover and would enrapture women in his spell. Excerpt: One touch to her hand and one word in her
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In # 31, "That Was My Wife," Darrin says, "Sometimes I feel like I'm married to Peter Pan." In # 46, "Junior Executive," Sam jokingly calls Darrin Peter Pan. |
Another Bardot reference (CLICK HERE for the other) occurs in # 33, "A Change of Face," when Sam changes herself into a French woman because "Darrin is partial to Brigitte Bardot." (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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# 33, "A Change of Face" - Darrin says, "I've grown accustomed to my face." # 253, "Samantha's Witchcraft Blows a Fuse" - After Samantha develops red stripes disease, Darrin has her look at her face in the mirror, and she says, "And I bet you thought you'd grown accustomed to my face." Both episodes are referring to the song, "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe for the 1956 Broadway musical, "My Fair Lady," with Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. It later became an Oscar (CLICK HERE) winner for Best Picture for the 1964 movie starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. |
In # 34, "Remember the
Main," Endora mentions that the debate between the Morning Glory
Circle councilmen was the greatest thing since the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
The Lincoln-Douglas debates were a series of formal
political debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in
a campaign for one of Illinois' two United States Senate seats. Although
Lincoln lost the election, these debates launched him into national
prominence which eventually led to his election as President of the
United States. |
In # 37, "Alias Darrin Stephens," Samantha says to Darrin, "I'll call the Starlight Roof and tell them we'll be a little late." The Starlight Roof, an ode to 1930's Art Deco in crystal located on the top floor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue, was NYC's ultimate night spot from its opening in 1933 until the early 1970s. Strictly for the social elite, Elizabeth's parents, and aunt and uncle were photographed there on a few occasions. The Starlight Roof got its name for how, at the press of a button at a key point in the late evening, the roof actually opened wide so that the patrons could dance under the stars. |
In # 38, "A Very Special Delivery," Endora is listening to Darrin and Samantha, and responds to Darrin's comments with an ascerbic, "The voice of the turtle!" "The Voice of the Turtle" is a romantic comedy by
John Van Druten that opened on Broadway in 1943. It was one of the longest-running
nonmusical comedies in Broadway history, with 1,557 performances. The
plot centers on the romance of World War II soldiers on leave one weekend
in April. The title of the play refers to a passage
from the Biblical Song of Solomon: "Rise up, my love. For, lo,
the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on
the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of
the turtle is heard in our land." Actually, "turtle"
is short for "turtledove," a bird with a plaintive springtime
song. |
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In # 39, "We're In for
a Bad Spell," when Clara is looking up Adam Newlarkin's name in
the Book of Spells, she finds him listed between the New York Mets and
Richard Nixon. Yeah, they were cursed, alright! In another Nixon reference, this time from # 161,
"Marriage, Witches’ Style," Serena is filling out an
application at the computer dating service. One of the questions is,
"Who is your favorite political figure?" Another Caesar reference: # 5, "Help, Help, Don't Save Me" - CLICK HERE |
In another reference from # 39,
"We're In for a Bad Spell," when Adam and Samantha return
home, they find Darrin and Aunt Clara in costume. He looks at Clara
and says, "I know that lady." Aunt Clara: "I'm Whistler's
Mother." In yet another reference from this episode, Adam Newlarkin, after being dunked in the water twice, comes to the table in a dry suit. Darrin says that he got the extra suit from the manager of the restaurant. Adam sarcastically replies, "Well, I don't think it's Savile Row!" Savile Row is the London street at the heart of the English bespoke tailoring industry, tracing its history back to the 1806 firm of Henry Poole & Co. Serving royalty and movie stars alike, Savile Row is known for containing the finest collection of tailors in the world. |
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In # 41, "The Joker is a Card" and # 110, "Business, Italian Style," Endora mentions La Scala. Located in Milan, La Scala, or its full name Teatro Alla Scala, which means "Theatre at the Stairway" in Italian, is one of the principal opera houses of the world. It was built in 1776 by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, who at that time ruled Milan. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In # 41, "The Joker is a Card," Endora zaps a "Beatles" wig onto Darrin's head and refers to him as Ringo. She also admonishes him not to "Flip your wig." While she may be most directly referring to 1964's 'The Beatles - Flip Your Wig Game', an earlier origin of the phrase dates back to when wigs were a popular French fashion that was brought back to England by Charles II. The only thing that held a man's wig in place was a tight fit. Men frequently "put their best foot forward" when bowing to a lady in order not to "flip their wigs," a potentially embarrassing moment. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 41, "The Joker is a Card," Uncle Arthur tells a joke about shooting an elephant in his pajamas. Because Groucho Marx delivered this joke in the 1930 film Animal Crackers, it is often erroneously attributed to him. Marx Bros. screenwriter Morrie Ryskind is the true father of the joke, which provides the title of Ryskind's autobiography, "I Shot an Elephant in My Pajamas." |
In # 42, "Take Two Aspirin and Half a Pint of Porpoise Milk," the client is asking Samantha how she grew all of the Black Peruvian Roses. She replies, "A little perseverance and suddenly everything was coming up Black Peruvian Roses." The show stopping song from the musical Gypsy, "Everything's Coming Up Roses" was written by Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne. The musical originated on Broadway in 1959 with Ethel Merman as Mama Rose, and then later as a movie musical in 1962 with Natalie Wood as Gypsy Rose Lee and Rosalind Russell in the role Merman created on stage. |
In # 44, "The Very Informal Dress," Montague describes Darrin as having "a big sword, like Richard Burton!" (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 44, "The Very Informal Dress," egotistical health nut and McMann & Tate client, Charles Barlow, tells Samantha, "Some people have been flattering enough to compare me with Louis Pasteur and Bernarr MacFadden." Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) was a French microbiologist and chemist. He is most famous for his germ theory of diseases which states that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases. He is also responsible for creating the first vaccine against rabies. Bernarr MacFadden (1868 - 1955) was known as "The Father of Physical Culture". He was a millionaire publisher and a lifelong advocate of physical fitness, natural foods and natural remedies for illness. |
In # 45, "...And Then I Wrote," the confederate soldier from Samantha's imagination says to her, "You're no Lillian Hellman." Lillian Hellman (1905-1984) was a famous American playwright whose works include "The Children's Hour" and "Toys In The Attic." Despite only writing 12 plays, she was a leading voice in American theatre, and was also active on the political stage. In the early 50s she was blacklisted for refusing to name names to the House Un-American Activities Committee, and was sentenced to 6 years in prison. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
Two musical references from # 45, "...And Then I Wrote": - Samantha is thinking about the musical she may have to write, when two vaudevillian performers pop in singing "The Old Piano Roll Blues." Written in 1949 by Cy Coben, it was a big hit throughout the 50s and 60s, and was covered by Eddie Cantor, Liberace, and others. - As Samantha's play characters act out their final scene,
the Indian says, "As the orchestra hits 'Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!'
the music swells to a crescendo and the curtain slowly falls."
Those words come from the chorus of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic,"
written for the United States during the American Civil War, by Julia
Ward Howe. It was first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February
1862, and is commonly regarded as the northern counterpart to the southern
song "Dixie." |
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In # 46, "Junior Executive," after Endora has changed Durwood into his younger self, he wakes up and asks what time it is. Endora: "Why don't you check your Mickey Mouse watch!" For another Mickey Mouse reference - CLICK HERE Another for: # 46, "Junior Executive" - CLICK HERE |
In # 47, "Aunt Clara’s Old Flame," Clara and Hedley Partridge say that they once changed themselves into nightingales. Clara says, "Yes, we were the first two nightingales in Berkeley Square..." "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" (Music by Manning Sherwin/Lyrics by Eric Mashwitz) is a romantic ballad from the 1940 London musical New Faces. |
In # 49, "My Boss the Teddy Bear," the client suggested that Darrin put on his Dr. Denton's to play with the Teddy Bear (which Darrin thought was really Larry under a spell). Early in the 19th century, children commonly wore loose nightdresses and nightshirts to bed, but this sleepwear could hike up, leaving children exposed and unprotected. Dr. Denton's pajamas, first introduced around 1850, solved that problem by encasing the child in fabric from neck to toe. The new pajamas also included covering for the child's hands, which prevented thumb sucking. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 49, "My Boss the
Teddy Bear," Darrin and Samantha buy twenty-four teddybears because
they think one of them is Larry and they don't know which one. Darrin
tells the clerk that they are going to have a picnic. |
| # 51, “A Vision of Sugar Plums” - CLICK HERE |
| # 54, “And Then There Were Three” - CLICK HERE |
In # 55, "My Baby the Tycoon," Darrin, thinking that Tabitha has influenced the stock market, explains to her, "When the stocks act strangely, the public panics. And that causes disasters, like the Big Crash in 1929." The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was the economic disaster that precipitated the Great Depression, a 10-year economic slump affecting all the Western industrialized countries, and the most devastating time period in world economic history, leaving millions hungry and out of work. |
In # 58, "The Dancing Bear," Tabitha's hexed toy is compared to "Nureyev", a reference to Russian-born ballet dancer/choreographer Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) who defected to the west while performing in Paris in 1961, and became one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20th century. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another for # 58, "The
Dancing Bear," when Mrs. Stephens gifts Tabatha with a teddy bear
just like the one Endora brought her, Darrin tries to turn it into a
positive by saying, "I think that's terrific! She'll be the only
girl on the block with two teddy bears!" This is in reference to the main character from the famous fairytale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" which was first printed in 1837 in the poet Robert Southey's book "The Doctor." (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In yet another for # 58, "The Dancing Bear," Darrin asks Endora, "Does the bear start singing La Traviata?" First performed in 1853, La Traviata, or "The Woman Who Strayed," is an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. |
In # 59, "Double Tate," Larry Tate tells Darrin that he cannot leave Chicago's airport because of the fog. Darrin asks, "The fog?" Larry sarcastically replies, "Yes, you know, it comes on little cat feet?" This refers to the poem Fog, by Pulitzer Prize winning biographer and poet Carl Sandburg (1878-1967). The fog comes |
In # 60, "Samantha the Dressmaker," Samantha tells Aubert (in french) not to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Looking a gift horse in the mouth" is an old saying from horse trading days when many thought that the best way to tell a horse's age and health was to look at his teeth. Therefore, when buying a horse, you looked in his mouth. The saying became associated with not questioning a free gift. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 60, "Samantha the Dressmaker," Endora's exclamation mentions "the great beard of Merlin!" referring to Merlin the Magician of the King Arthur fable, who acted as King Arthur's advisor, prophet & magician. The prophet Merlin, first appearring (c. 1135 ) in Geoffrey
of Monmouth's 'History of the Kings of Britain' is actually the composite
of two older story-strands: a long-lived British folkloric "Wildman
of the Woods," sometimes called Lailoken or Myrddin, and a story
from Nennius' 'Historia Brittonum' of a fatherless boy called Ambrosius
who prophesies the doom of King Vortigern. |
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In # 62, "Baby’s First Paragraph," Darrin is on the phone with someone who wants to rent Tabitha for a series of tests, when he concludes the call with, "...Look, why don't you guys go back to finding a cure for the common cold!" When Samantha asks who that was, he replies, "The Mayo Clinic." The Mayo Clinic evolved gradually from the frontier practices of Dr. William Worrall Mayo (certified in 1850) and his two sons, William J. and Charles H.. Inviting others to join them, they began a new way of practicing medicine, developing it as a cooperative science that de-emphasized individualism. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
Two more references occur in # 62, "Baby’s First Paragraph," while Samantha and Darrin are watching TV. A newscaster is heard to say, "Reliable sources report that the Stephens' have already been contacted by the Hollywood Palace TV Show." One of television's first studios, The Hollywood Palace, once a theater, was home to the TV show which ran from January 4, 1964 to February 7, 1970, and hosted such Bewitched cast members as Elizabeth Montgomery and Paul Lynde. The newscaster continues with, "And this evening, TASS, the Russian News agency, announced that in Moscow, a baby two weeks younger than Tabatha Stephens speaks perfect Russian." With exclusive rights to gather and distribute information outside the country, the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) was founded as their central information agency on July 10, 1925. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
Yet another reference occurs in # 62, "Baby’s First Paragraph," when the mailman delivers a scholarship offer to Tabatha from Harvard University. Harvard University, established in 1636, was named for its first benefactor, young minister John Harvard of Charlestown. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, founded just 16 years after the arrival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. |
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Louise and Larry are arguing in # 64, "Double Split," when Louise refers to Larry as Snow White. # 216, "The Good Fairy Strikes Again, part 2" - For Mr. Ferber's Reducealator ad campaign, Darrin uses the slogan "Whittle While You Work," spoofing the song "Whistle While You Work," (Frank Churchill and Larry Morey) from Disney's "Snow White." (For another slogan for the Reducealator - CLICK HERE) In # 240, "The Eight-Year Witch," Endora says that she is like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In # 64, "Double Split," when Darrin and Samantha are arguing, Darrin interrupts Sam to say, "Hold it, hold it! Stop the world! We are about to get the word from the High Lama." "Lama" is a term in Tibetan Buddhism meaning "teacher," similar to "guru" in Hinduism. Here the term "high lama" may refer to the Dalai Lama, who, from the 17th century to 1959, was the head of Tibetan government. The current Dalai Lama heads the political movement to regain independence for Tibet from Chinese rule. In # 71, "The Catnapper," Samantha says that she found Endora in Tibet, having tea with the "lord high lama." (Another reference for # 64, "Double Split," below.) |
In # 64, "Double Split," Larry says to Louise, "Some men are fortunate enough to have wives who are sympathetic and understanding. After a hard day in the rat race, they don't have to come home to a mouse that roars." This refers to the 1955 novel by Irish writer Leonard Wibbeley, "The Mouse That Roared," a cold-war satire that proposes an attack on New York by a tiny European nation which has tired of unfair trading practices. The novel was sent to the silver screen in 1959 under the same title and starring Peter Sellers. |
In # 66, "Follow that Witch," Sam is painting a rocking chair as Harriet Kravitz (Abner's sister) enters. After Harriet leaves, Sam shrinks the chair, to make sure that her can of paint can cover it all. Of course, Harriet immediately returns, and sees the now tiny chair. Sam explains the size difference by saying "It wasn't Sanforized." (A process that is still used today to keep fabrics from shrinking.) (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In # 66, "Follow that Witch," Charlie Leach says, "Let me tell you, this guy makes Mickey Mouse look like Jack the Ripper." The contrast being that Mickey Mouse is the gentle cartoon creation of Walt Disney and Jack the Ripper is the famous London serial killer from the 19th Century. For another Mickey Mouse reference - CLICK HERE (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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More from # 66 - 67, "Follow that Witch - Parts 1 & 2": Charmaine says, "I thought I was marrying Peter Gunn (a suave TV detective of the time), but instead, I ended up with Peter Rabbit." (For another Peter Rabbit reference - CLICK HERE) Charlie Leach asks Samantha if she can "fly like Batman." When Sam zaps Charlie to a building ledge, he tells himself to "Try to think what James b-b-b-Bond would do in a situation like this." (For another Bond reference - CLICK HERE) (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In "67, "Follow that Witch - Part 2," Charlie Leach tells Samantha, "I don't figure you to be one of those evil witches. You know, in my job, you have to be a good judge of character. I got you figured more like Glinda, you know, the Good Witch of the North, in The Wizard of Oz." In another Glinda reference, this time from # 177, "To Trick or Treat or Not to Trick or Treat," a client wants to use an ugly old crone for his ad campaign, because "Everyone knows witches have hooked noses, warts and blacked-out teeth," Darrin recommends that he use a more wholesome image, like Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, instead. |
| # 68, "A Bum Rap" - CLICK HERE |
In # 69, "Divided, He Falls," Darrin leads a poolside sing-along of "If You Knew Susie," a song written by B.G. DeSylva and Joseph Meyer in 1925, and made popular by vaudeville showman Eddie Cantor. The song was one of Cantor's biggest hits, and in 1948, he would produce and star in a movie of the same name. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In # 69, "Divided, He
Falls," when Samantha tells her mother that she and Darrin are
going to dinner with the Tates at a country club Endora says she'd like
to help and asks, "Do you have four mice and a pumpkin around?" This is in reference to the 17th century tale "Cinderella" when her Fairy Godmother make a horse drawn carriage from mice and a pumpkin to take her to the ball where she meets Prince Charming. In the original tale the prince has no name but was bestowed "Charming" by Walt Disney in his 1950 animated version of the tale. For another Prince Charming reference - CLICK HERE |
In # 71, "The Catnapper," Endora tells Samantha that her "mortal roommate seems to be getting the seven-year-itch five years early" when he begins working nights. "The Seven-Year Itch," a play by George Axelrod, was brought to the screen in 1955 by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe. It is perhaps most famous for the publicity photo of Miss Monroe's white dress being blown awry over a subway grating. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 71, "The Catnapper," Endora's spell calls on "Krishna" to change "the cat to that woman again." This is a curious spell, as the story is taking place in Tibet, a country in which Buddhism is predominant. Yet "Krishna" is a deity of Hinduism, one of the incarnations of the god Vishnu, who is one of the trinity of Hindu gods. For another reference from this episode - CLICK HERE |
In # 72, "What
Every Young Man Should Know," Endora's spell: |
In # 73, "The Girl with the Golden Nose," Dave says at the bar, "As the song goes, women get weary wearing the same shabby dress." This is a line from "Try a Little Tenderness," lyrics and music by Harry Woods, Jimmy Campbell & Reg Connelly; recorded by Bing Crosby in 1933. She may be weary -- women do get weary |
In # 74, "Prodigy," Samantha comes up with an idea to get Gladys' brother to play at the benefit, to which Darrin replies, "Sam, you're not Sol Hurok!" Russian-born, American impresario Sol Hurok (pictured here with singer Marian Anderson), presented more than 4,000 artists and companies, including the Bolshoi Ballet, when they toured abroad. He made a significant contribution to the cause of peace by arranging visits of Russian opera and ballet companies to the U.S. at the height of the Cold War. |
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The bouncing ball sequence, first used in # 77, "Witches and Warlocks Are My Favorite Things," then again in #s 95, 165 and 199, is from the Disney movie, Sleeping Beauty. Endora's glowing, follow-me ball that she used to wake Samantha and get her downstairs to talk to her in private, is inspired by the bouncing ball Malificent used to lead Sleeping Beauty to the spinning wheel, where the fair princess pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep due to the evil witch's spell. For another Sleeping Beauty reference - CLICK HERE (Another reference for episode # 77 below.) |
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William Shakespeare - The English poet and playwright who produced most of his work between 1586 and 1616. He wrote nearly 40 plays, as well as many poems and sonnets. Numerous references to William Shakespeare and his works can be found throughout Bewitched... # 77, "Witches and Warlocks Are My Favorite Things" - Hagatha and Enchantra arrive in a driverless car. Hagatha (addressing the car): "Macbeth, we won't be needing you for a while." (Macbeth) # 95, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara" - The judge and witches arrive in a driverless car referred to as Macbeth. (Macbeth) # 101, "The Crone
of Cawdor," The title character may be derived from "The Thane
of Cawdor," a traitor to the King. (Macbeth) # 167, “Daddy Does
His Thing” - The chauffeur of Maurice's car is referred to as
"Macbeth". (Macbeth) # 177, “To Trick or
Treat or Not to Trick or Treat” - Samantha: "To twitch or
not to twitch, that is the question--Whether 'tis nobler in the the
mind to suffer the slings and arrows..." (Hamlet) # 237, “A Plague on
Maurice and Samantha” - Maurice: "Alas, poor Yorick; he's
not well." (Hamlet) Commonly misquoted as "Alas,
poor Yorick; I knew him well," the actual line from Hamlet
is: "Alas poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio." For Shakespeare references in episode titles - CLICK HERE |
In # 78, "Accidental Twins," Aunt Clara is telling a story to Tabitha and Jonathan Tate. Clara says, "...And the mean, nasty wolf huffed and puffed, and in one breath he blew the whole house down." This refers to the story of The Three Little Pigs, in which each pig builds a house of various materials, the first two of flimsy straw and sticks, which the hungry wolf destroys by merely blowing on them. Perhaps the best known version of this story comes from Joseph Jacobs' rendition published in his 1898 English Fairy Tales. Jacobs credits his source as James Orchard Halliwell, in his 1849 Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales. |
In # 79, "A Most Unusual Wood Nymph," Samantha suggests that Geri watch TV because there is a good movie on. Geri asks what it is, and Samantha says, "The Cat and the Canary." While there is an earlier 1927 silent version starring Laura La Plante, it's more likely that what would have been televised was the 1939 version of this comedy/mystery, starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. |
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# 80, "Endora Moves In for a Spell" - While feuding with Endora, Uncle Arthur tells Samantha, "Anything she can zap, I can zap better." This is a reference to "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better," a song from the 1946 musical, Annie Get Your Gun, which Irving Berlin wrote specifically for Ethel Merman. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another from # 80, "Endora Moves In for a Spell," Endora and Uncle Arthur are arguing over whether or not her newly zapped up house will stay. Endora calls Arthur "Little Boy Blue," which refers to the poem of the same name by Mother Goose. Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn, (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In yet another from # 80,
"Endora Moves In for a Spell," when Uncle Arthur sees Endora's
new house pop up on the street that he's walking Tabatha on, he comments,
"It has to be Endora. The Madame Lafarge of all time." This
refers to French murderess Madame Lafarge, who poisoned her husband
in the early 19th century, and was later found guilty by the first of
use of forensics in a trial. |
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Willie Mays appears as himself (but as a warlock) at Endora's Halloween party in, # 81, "Twitch or Treat." The poem that Endora recites at the Halloween party, "The Night Before Halloween," is a twisted take on the famous Christmas poem, "The Night Before Christmas," by Clement Clarke Moore. For more references to the poem - CLICK HERE Another for: # 81, "Twitch or Treat" - CLICK HERE |
In # 82, "Dangerous Diaper Dan," Diaper Dan refers to Mr. Kimberly as "Mother Hubbard," a name derived from the Mother Goose poem "Old Mother Hubbard," written by Sarah Catherine Martin in 1804. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another from # 82, "Dangerous
Diaper Dan," when Samantha exclaims, "Who's going to hear?"
Endora responds with, "That's what Lincoln said about the Gettysburg
Address." The Gettysburg Address was given on
Nov. 19, 1863 at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery by President
Abraham Lincoln near the end of the Civil War. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In yet another from # 82, "Dangerous Diaper Dan," Darrin says that "telling a woman a secret is like broadcasting over Telstar." Although not the first communications satellite, Telstar is the best known of all and is probably considered by most observers to have ushered in the era of satellite communications. This impression was a result of the tremendous impact upon the public by the first transmission of live television across the Atlantic Ocean. Telstar I was launched on July 10, 1962, and on that same day live television pictures originating in the United States were received in France. In another Telstar reference, this time from # 231, "Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster," Darrin's Scottish friend Robbie, enthusiastic about the "Monster" sighting, mentions that it is going to be telecast by Telstar. Bruce (now restored to Warlock form) responds, "Telstar, huh, imagine that!?" For more ref's from # 231,
"Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster" - CLICK
HERE |
In # 83, "The Short Happy Circuit of Aunt Clara," Darrin is pitching various ideas to the owner of MacElroy Shoes for their campaign:
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# 84, "I'd Rather Twitch Than Fight" - CLICK HERE |
In # 85, "Oedipus Hex," the client says, "So there we were, a couple of GIs, fresh from the Battle of the Bulge, when we saw this French mademoiselle washin' her clothes down by the river!" Occurring between 12/16/44 and 1/16/45, the Battle of the Bulge (aka The Ardennes Offensive) was the last German offensive on the Western Front, and the largest land battle of World War II in which the US participated. It was an unsuccessful attempt to push the Allies back from German home territory. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another for # 85, "Oedipus Hex," Larry complains to Samantha that the popcorn snackers are hungry for sandwiches, which she's said she's unwilling to fix. "Well, I'm sorry," she says, "but them's the conditions that prevail." This is a quote from singer Jimmy Durante. |
# 87, "My Friend Ben" - To help Aunt Clara remember a spell, Samantha zaps up a chalice with water from the mythical Fountain of Youth, and incants, "From the Fountain of Youth, a drink I pour, you'll be ten years younger than you were before." The "Fountain of Youth" is a mythical vitality-giving spring famously sought after by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon (1460-1521) who founded Puerto Rico for Spain. |
The Real Don Steele appears as himself in, # 88, "Samantha for the Defense." |
In # 89, "A Gazebo Never Forgets," Samantha's house is invaded by the bank president Mr. Scranton, his associate Mr. Hawkins and Larry Tate after Mr. Hawkins claims to have seen a pink polka-dotted elephant there. Mr. Scranton tells Mr. Hawkins, who has been taking the group all over the house in order to find the elephant, that if it is in the kitchen he'll "come a runnin'". As Mr. Scranton and Larry wait in the living room, Mr. Hawkins opens the kitchen door and sees the elephant. He then returns and says, "The elephant is in the kitchen." to which Larry replies, "And the king is in the counting house." Mr. Scranton follows up with, "Counting out his money." Larry and Mr. Scranton are quoting part of an 18th century poem familiar to many as "Sing a Song of Sixpence" which reads as follows: Sing a song of sixpence When the pie was opened The King was in his counting house The Maid was in the garden This poem is not as innocent as it looks, as it was originally used by the pirate Blackbeard's crew as a coded message to recruit more pirates for their illegal journeys. |
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In # 91, "Sam in the Moon," after sarcastically telling Darrin that she went to the moon, an exasperated Samantha says, "One of these days...!" Sam trails off there, allowing the viewer to mentally fill in Ralph's familiar phrase from The Honeymooners: "One of these days, Alice, POW, to the moon!" In more from this episode: Concerned that Sam has actually beat NASA to the moon, Darrin visits Larry Tate, who is watching famous golf pro, Jack Nicklaus, on the TV in his den. And, of course, the whole episode revolved around the reference to NASA, which is a pop culture reference unto itself. For another NASA reference - CLICK HERE |
When talking about the Reactor Mach II to Samantha in # 93, "Super Car," Darrin says, "It makes the Batmobile look like a skateboard!" |
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In both # 95, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara" and # 165, "Samantha’s Power Failure," Endora, having turned herself into a glowing ball of light, awakens Samantha. Sam reacts by telling her, "Mother, will you stop bouncing around like Tinker Bell and tell me what's going on?" In # 242, "Adam, Warlock or Washout," Maurice arrives in a litter chair born by four girls. He later approaches one, and says, "Tinker Bell, park the litter." In Sir James M. Barrie's original 1924 play, Tinker Bell was staged as a flying point of light beamed from offstage. Animator Marc Davis' personification of her as a winged pixie with a very womanly figure in 1953's Peter Pan, was widely criticized as too sexually suggestive by Barrie purists, especially after it was rumored that she was modeled after actress Marilyn Monroe. Tink was actually modeled after Margaret Kerry, the actress who performed her live-action reference. For more bouncing ball references - CLICK HERE (Another reference for # 95, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara" below.) |
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# 95, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara" - Judge Bean, the magistrate who sentenced Aunt Clara to be earthbound due to her failing powers, was almost certainly named after a real life Judge Bean, also known for meting out odd and harsh punishments. Judge Roy Bean (1827 - 1903), the self-proclaimed 'Law West of the Pecos', was known as the most notorious justice of the peace. He served in a Texas town named Vinegaroon, which he later renamed Langtry, supposedly after the famous English stage actress, Lilly Langtry, who he never actually met. Shakespeare reference for: # 95, "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara" - CLICK HERE |
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In # 96, "Three Wishes," when Endora thinks Darrin is making up stories to get out of taking Samantha to Hawaii, she says, "He'll never win an Oscar for that performance." Oscar is the coveted award given for achievement in movie making presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The first Oscar ceremony was held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Blossom Room. The first ceremony broadcast was on radio in 1930, and was co-hosted by Agnes Moorehead, who co-hosted yet again in 1948. |
In # 101, "The Crone of Cawdor," Samantha tells Endora that you can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar. Endora replies, "Tell that to the Dodger outfield." (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another for # 101, "The Crone of Cawdor," Endora masquerades as a snooty fashion designer to better examine the fake Terry Warbell. This was an inspired nod to Edith Head, the Oscar-winning Hollywood studio costume designer famous for her trademark bangs, prim suits, and round glasses. In her 60-year career, Edith Head won 8 Oscars, was nominated 35 times, and worked on over 1100 films. Shakespeare reference for: # 101, "The Crone of Cawdor" - CLICK HERE |
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In # 103, "It’s Wishcraft," Darrin is worrying about Tabatha showing her powers off when his parents come to visit. While holding a toy rabbit, he says, "What happens when she twitches her nose, and Peter Rabbit here goes flying into my mother's lap?" Peter Rabbit was the title character of one of Beatrix Potter's most famous stories. For another Peter Rabbit reference - CLICK HERE |
In # 106, "Nobody but a Frog Knows How to Live," Sam has a spell that says, "It's easier to turn a bee into a purple cow." This refers to the 1896 Gelett Burgess poem, "The Purple Cow." (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another for # 106, "Nobody but a Frog Knows How to Live," Samantha tries explaining Fergus' situation to Darrin by saying, "Do you remember the fairy tale about the princess that put a frog on her pillow and the next morning when she woke up he turned into a handsome prince? Well, it's the same thing only in reverse." She is referring to the Grimms' fairytale titled 'The Frog Prince' where a selfish princess loses her golden ball down a well. A frog retrieves it but tells her that he wishes to be repaid at a later time. After she has forgotten about him, he suddenly shows up at the castle door one day requesting to eat with her, even off her plate. She is repulsed but her parents know that she owes him. He insists that he also sleep on her bed. When they awake he has regained his princely human form. |
In # 108, "Long Live the Queen," when Sam informs Darrin of her impending coronation, he says, "What does that make me? Prince Valiant?!" Hal Foster, who previously drew the popular "Tarzan" feature, was asked by William Randolph Hearst to create a strip for Hearst's chain of newspapers. Basing it on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Foster created Derek, Son of Thane. Hearst was enchanted by everything about the strip except the hero's name, rechristening him Prince Valiant. A Sunday-only feature, Prince Valiant first appeared Feb. 13, 1937. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
# 108, "Long Live the Queen" - When Darrin is wanting Samantha to turn in her crown, he tells her she's been "Queen for a Day." This is in reference to a game show that aired from 1956-1964 with host Jack Bailey. Another version was done in 1969 with Dick Curtis, but it only lasted a year. On one of daytime television's most popular tear-jerkers, four women were chosen each day from the studio audience. They appeared on stage one at a time, and each woman told about the great tragedies and misfortunes in her life. At the end of each program, studio audience applause determined the day's winner, who was proclaimed "Queen for a Day" and showered with gifts. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
# 108, "Long Live the Queen" - Referring to the gathering of transformees he's just met in the front yard, Darrin tells Endora, "You'd better hurry -- you'll miss the Monster Rally!" "Monster Rally" was a 1950 compilation of macabre cartoons (including The Addams Family) by Charles Addams, most of which originally appeared in The New Yorker magazine. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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# 108, "Long Live the Queen" - When Samantha is trying to explain to Darrin that their refurnished living room, compliments of Queen Ticheba, makes the Queen feel more comfortable, he asks, "Where does she live? The Taj Mahal?!" # 109, "Toys in Babeland" - The witch postman tells Endora that there is a big 'To-Do' in her honor at the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a 17th century white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jehan to enshrine the mortal remains of his Queen Mumtaz Mahal in Agra, India. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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# 109, "Toys in Babeland" - Worried about what the guests will think of the dancing toys, Darrin asks Samantha, "What shall I tell them? 'Welcome to Disneyland?!'" # 213, "Sisters at Heart" - When Tabitha is about to remove the spots from her and Lisa, she says, "But remember, we're still sisters, and you'll come visit." Lisa enthusiastically replies, "All the time! This is better than Disneyland!" Disneyland, the world's most recognized theme park, was opened in Southern California in July 1955 and has been known as "the happiest place on Earth" ever since. For another from # 109, "Toys in Babeland" - CLICK HERE (Another reference for # 109, "Toys in Babeland" below.) |
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In two more references for # 109, "Toys in Babeland," both said by Larry when he, Samantha, and Darrin were in a bar with Max, the toy soldier. - Darrin tries to pay for Larry's drink, and Larry responds with "I suppose you think that's going to make up for stabbing me in the back, you Brutus". This is a reference to Marcus Brutus, one of the conspirators to kill Julius Caesar in Rome in 44 BC. - A few minutes later, when he goes up to the soldier, Larry starts to say "Max, I want you to tell Benedict Ar..." and then stops. He is referencing Benedict Arnold, the infamous general from the American Revolutionary War that faced corruption charges for being a traitor. |
In # 110, "Business, Italian Style," Darrin enters the kitchen speaking in Italian. When Samantha acts surprised, he says, "Who were you expecting, Marcello Mastroianni?" Marcello was one of the most famous international movie stars, an Italian born September 28, 1924. He worked with many great directors including Federico Fellini. He passed away December 19, 1996. For another from # 110, "Business, Italian Style" - CLICK HERE |
# 111, "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble" - Serena references the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim song, "I Feel Pretty," when, in disguise as Samantha and dressed in her "housewife attire," she sings the opening lyric of the song from West Side Story. It was a popular Broadway play that opened in 1957 and later became a movie that won 10 Oscars (CLICK HERE) in 1961, including Best Picture. - Endora tells Serena: "If we wanted Sarah Bernhardt we would've sent for her!" Sarah Bernhardt was a famous French actress from the late 1800's. - A 16th century minstrel sings a spoof of the US Air Force Anthem (Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder), changing the lyrics to "wild black yonder." Off we go into the wild blue yonder |
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In # 113, "No Zip in My Zap," a drunken Darrin calls Endora, "Good old Smokey the Bore." Created in 1944 by the Ad Council to promote outdoor fire safety, the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest running public service campaign in US History. Smokey's correct, full name is Smokey Bear. In the popular song "Smokey The Bear" written in 1952 by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins (who also wrote "Peter Cottontail" - CLICK HERE) a "the" was added to his name to keep the song's rhythm. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
# 113, "No Zip in My Zap" - Referring to Endora, Darrin asks Samantha, "Will you kindly tell Ms. Muffet to take her tuffet and get out of here?!" Little Miss Muffet was Patience, daughter of Dr. Thomas Muffet, 16th Century entomologist and author of "The Theatre of Insects," the first scientific catalogue of British native species. The first printed version of the rhyme appeared in the 1805 "Songs for the Nursery," author unknown. Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, For another from # 113, "No Zip in My Zap" - CLICK HERE |
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In # 114, "Birdies, Bogeys, and Baxter," when Darrin is anxious to get out to the golf course early, Samantha refers to lines from the Star Spangled Banner, the National Anthem of the United States, when she asks, "What do you expect to see by the dawn's early light... outside of a flag?" Francis Scott Key penned this song when he saw that the flag was still waving after the 1814 British Royal Navy attack on Ft. McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. Also in this episode, Endora refers to a sleeping Darrin as "Prince Charming." For another Prince Charming reference - CLICK HERE |
In the opener for # 116, "Out of Synch, Out of Mind," Darrin is delighted at the special dish that Sam has cooked on his day off. He proudly asks: "Name one other man who has crepes suzette for lunch?" Samantha jokingly replies: "Oscar of the Waldorf?" This is a reference to Oscar Tschirky (1866-1950) the famous maître d'hôtel of Delmonico's Restaurant and subsequently the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. He was widely known as "Oscar of the Waldorf" and produced a large cookbook (or at least had his name on it) despite not being a chef. He is known, moreover, as the creator of Eggs Benedict, the Waldorf Salad, and aiding in the popularization of Thousand Island Dressing. |
In # 118, "Allergic to Macedonian Dodo Birds," Endora loses her powers after coming into contact with a storybook dodo. The real dodo bird was indigenous to the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, just east of Madagascar. Very little is certain about the dodo, as no specimens (stuffed or otherwise) survive. At just under three feet tall, this relative of the pigeon has been maligned as a stupid bird, too fat to fly. Recent archaeological studies suggest that, though flightless, the bird was not as heavy as previously thought, and thus could have been a fast runner (as Darrin would attest!). The dodo was discovered during the 16th century by Portugese explorers, who mistook its friendly, trusting personality and dubbed it "dodo," a variation on the Portugese word for "simpleton." By 1681 the last dodo died, another in a long, long line of animals brought to extinction by human beings. (No dodo birds have ever been known to have existed in European Macedonia--but that's what made our BW bird so toxic!) (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In another for # 118, "Allergic to Macedonian Dodo Birds," when Darrin asks Samantha why the ailing Endora can't recoup in her own home, she replies, "You can't get there from here!" One old joke which contains the phrase concerns a Maine old-timer who is asked by a lost businessman how to get back to Boston. After the businessman tries several of the old-timer's incorrect directions, he returns exasperated. The Maine old-timer then finally suggests: "You cahn't get theyah from heah." While the origin of the phrase is unknown, its first appearance as the title of a book occurs in a collection of poems by Ogden Nash (1902-1971) in 1957. A poet, humorist and lyricist, Nash made many significant contributions to the literary world. Well known phrases coined by Nash include: "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker" and "Adam had 'em". |
In # 119, "Samantha's Thanksgiving to Remember," Aunt Clara mentions fictional detective Boston Blackie. |
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In # 120, "Solid Gold Mother-in-Law," Samantha is upset about the pony she finds in Tabitha's room. Endora reminds her of how she had a pony when she was little (albeit a winged one): "Remember? Pegasus?" In # 241, "Three Men and a Witch on a Horse," Samantha briefly communicates with a horse named "Count of Valor" by turning him human. She explains to the befuddled horsey-man that she's a witch. Not believing her, he responds: "Oh sure, and I'm Pegasus." These refer to the winged flying horse of Greek myth which was born of the slain Medusa, rode by Perseus, and was welcomed to Mt. Olympus by Zeus. |
In # 121, "My, What Big Ears You Have," Endora fractures the Pinocchio fairytale by casting a spell on Darrin that makes his ears grow each time he tells a lie. Published partially as a serial, then completed as the book The Adventures of Pinocchio (Le Avventure di Pinocchio) in 1883, Italian author Carlo Collodi tells the story of an animated puppet boy whose nose grows every time he tells a lie. |
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In # 122, "I Get Your Nanny, You Get My Goat," when Lord Montdrako zaps a rose into Darrin's mouth, Samantha says that he looks like Carmen. Carmen was the title character in the opera Carmen by Bizet. The tango is an Argentine dance of passionate love that uses a rose. Carmen was known as a world class lover of men. Also in this episode, Darrin refers to himself as "Little Lord Fauntleroy" after being zapped into a Victorian child's outfit. First published in 1886, Francis Hobson Burnett's children's story Little Lord Fauntleroy has been a huge success, being translated into twelve languages and adapted into several films. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
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In # 122, "I Get Your
Nanny, You Get My Goat," Tabitha's new nanny Elspeth has a decidedly
"Mary Poppins" flavor, especially when she makes her big entrance
by umbrella! In # 247, "Serena’s Youth Pill," Serena tells Samantha that she (Serena) is not "Mary Poppins." First published in 1934, P.L. Travers's novel, Mary Poppins, about a magically unconventional nanny, is perhaps best known for its 1964 big screen adaptation starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Hermione Baddeley, the actress playing Elspeth, is actually in the cast of the movie! |
In # 122, "I Get Your Nanny, You Get My Goat," Larry calls the Stephens' house, looking for Darrin. Elspeth tells Larry that he can't come to the phone, because he's "Gone through the looking-glass." The client, Mr. Chappell, says, "Oh, so now he's Alice in Wonderland!" This refers to Lewis Carroll's classic 1865 books "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," where a young girl happens upon a wild place called Wonderland. The first story has her getting there by falling down a rabbit hole. In the second story, she goes through a mirror, otherwise known as a looking-glass. (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 122, "I Get Your Nanny, You Get My Goat," when Elspeth descends from the ceiling in the beginning of the episode, she is singing I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside, written by John A. Glover-Kind and made into a hit in 1909 by comic singer Mark Sheridan, a legend of the British Music Hall. |
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In # 123, "Humbug Not
to Be Spoken Here," when Darrin tries to convince stingy client
Mr. Mortimer that he needs to leave to celebrate on Christmas Eve, Mr.
Mortimer says, "You know I don't believe in all this Christmas
fuss. It's crass commercial nonsense! It's...uh...it's, um..."
This word, humbug, was made popular in Charles Dickens' 1843 classic Christmas story, "A Christmas Carol," when uttered repeatedly by the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who believes that Christmas is a sham. The origin of the word is unknown, but it is believed to have arisen in the mid-Eighteenth century as slang for "jest" or "hoax". For another "humbug" reference - CLICK HERE For another "A Christmas Carol" reference - CLICK HERE |
In # 125, "Once in a Vial," Rollo, trying unsuccessfully to romance Samantha, says to her, "Do you know the more I see you, the more I want you." Samantha replies in an exasperated manner, "Yes, but I can't sing it now." The pop standard "The More I See You" was sung by Dick Haymes in the 1945 movie Diamond Horseshoe. It was made popular again by Chris Montez in 1966 with the opening line "The more I see you, the more I want you." It was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. |
In # 128, "Hippie, Hippie, Hooray," when Samantha zaps Serena to her location, Serena asks, "Was this trip necessary?", a reference to a famous World War II slogan. In another reference, Samantha tells Serena that she will let her get back to her "Freak-out in SoHo." SoHo, an acronym for SOuth of HOuston Street, is an eclectic New York City neighborhood in lower Manhattan which became an artistic haven in the late 50's and 60's. |
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Multiple references can be found in # 129, "A Prince of a Guy": We see the Prince and Princess characters from
Disney's, Sleeping Beauty. Helen thinks Charlie is like David Niven. In the opening scene, Sam says, "Mother, I'd rather do it myself." This line originates from a 1960s TV commercial for Anacin pain reliever, in which an irritable woman snaps at her mother (who is only trying to be helpful), "Mother, please! I'd rather do it myself!" This line can also be heard in # 141, "Samantha’s Wedding Present." (Another reference for this episode below.) |
In # 129, "A Prince of a Guy," Endora jokes that Samantha is lucky that her little witch was not zapping characters from out of the Babar books. Babar the Elephant is a popular French children's fictional character who first appeared in L'Histoire du Babar by Jean de Brunhoff in 1931, and enjoyed immediate success with English language versions following in Britain and the USA in 1933. It tells of a young elephant |
ENDORA
- According to the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible, the Witch of Endor
was a necromancer who, at the behest of King Saul of Israel, raised
the prophet Samuel from the dead.
