Don’t miss Walking Dead’s Thora Birch in this Halloween cult classic
By Renee Hansen
Actress, producer, and actress Thora Birch starred in The Walking Dead series in season 10 as a member of the Whisperers. Her name was Mary, also dubbed Gamma by Alpha (Samantha Morton), indicating her rank among the group. Birch became well-known at a young age for her roles in Patriot Games, Monkey Trouble, Now and Then, and the Halloween cult classic Hocus Pocus.
The supernatural comedy film premiered in 1993 and was directed by filmmaker and choreographer Kenny Ortega, known for High School Musical and Michael Jackson’s This Is It. Mick Garris and Neil Cuthbert wrote the screenplay from a story written by Garris and David Kirschner.
Although the movie didn’t do well at the box office when it was initially released, holiday airings on Disney Channel during October quickly earned the film cult status. This would spawn a franchise with a sequel novelization, a theme park attraction, a TV special, Lego sets, and more. In 2022, the sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, was released, and a follow-up was announced shortly after.
Where to watch Hocus Pocus?
This Halloween season, Hocus Pocus can be viewed on Disney+ and Hulu with a subscription and for rent or purchase on AppleTV+ and Prime Video.
What is Hocus Pocus about?
The story tells of a comedic yet villainous trio of witches hung for witchcraft in 1693. Before they die, one of the witches casts a curse that will resurrect them if a virgin lights the Black Flame Candle on All Hallow’s Eve. They are accidentally resurrected in 1993, and they seek the soul of a young girl.
Hocus Pocus cast – Thora Birch and more.
Thora Birch plays Dani, the young girl the witches select as their victim. Ormi Katz portrays her brother Max.
The Sanderson sisters are played by Bette Midler as Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah, and Kathy Najimy as Mary.
Other cast includes Vinessa Shaw, Larry Bagby, Tobias Jelinek, Stephanie Faracy, Doug Jones, and Sean Murray.
The late Garry Marshall and Penny Marshall, siblings in real life, star in uncredited roles as Master Devil and Lady Medusa. They are a bickering couple; the sisters mistake as their master and his wife.
Hocus Pocus trailer (1993)
The trailer below features Birch as the adorable Dani.
What does Thora Birch do now?
In 2014, Birch took a short break from acting to earn her degree in legal studies. She would make her return in USA Network’s Colony in 2015. Since then, she has starred in many other roles, including Affairs of State, The Etruscan Smile, and 13 Minutes.
She made her directorial debut in the 2022 film The Gabby Petio Story. This was a lifetime movie in which Birch also starred.
Deadline reports that at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival her next project, will mark her feature directorial debut in an adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s Mr. Paradise novel.
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