MovieChat Forums > Bewitched (1964) Discussion > Things You Learned From the Show

Things You Learned From the Show

posted 7 years ago by [email protected] (1732)
9 replies | jump to latest

Assuming others started watching the show as a kid (like I did), I'm wondering if you recall
learning certain words, phrases, or even historical facts from the series. I learned many
things from the show, and here are a few that come to mind (remember, I was in grade school).

Meager: I didn't know the meaning of the word until I heard Endora comment on
"Duncan's meager triumphs" in "Charlie Harper, Winner."

Knell: I was in high school, and didn't know the meaning of the word, until Endora
used it in her reverse-spell chant, "Bees knees, and Bell's Knell..." from "You're So
Agreeable." (BTW, the show was very much a rerun - for years - before I was in
high school!).

Irascible: Had to look up the word when Darrin called Samantha "irascible" in the tag
of "Snob in the Grass." Even Darrin asks what it means, and Sam says, "I dunno."

Anyone else?

[–] [email protected] (5501) 7 years ago

Interesting topic. I did learn some things from Bewitched.

The show used some unfamiliar words. Several times Darrin said that he was the only man who could say without malice that his mother-in-law was a witch. I finally had to go and look up the word 'malice'.

I learned about different lifestyles. The Stephens were not pretentious but there were sophisticated elements in their life that I never encountered. For instance, the wet bar! Sam was always fixing a drink for Darrin when he got home. Or they served cocktails when they entertained.

I had a few relatives who drank beer, but they just kept it in the fridge! My parents didn't drink at all. Their liquor supply was a dusty bottle of brandy and a small bottle of Four Roses in the back of the cupboard.
If we had a bad cold in the winter my mom used to give us a cup of tea with lemon and honey and she'd add a spoonful of whiskey. Don't know what the brandy was for. I think both bottles were still there when I left for college. ha

The show also introduced me to some fancy cuisine. I remember Endora ordering Coquilles St Jacques (and I had to look that up because I wasn't sure how to spell it!). We were strictly meat and potatoes people. Meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, fish on Friday(or a pizza, a special treat) and roast beef or roast chicken on Sunday.

But on Bewitched, they had dishes I never heard of. When Darrin's parents first came to visit, his mother said that his favorite dessert was pineapple upsidedown cake. Never even saw it. And they served coq au vin several times.

I heard it as "cocoa van". I thought that was the neatest thing. A chocolate flavored dinner! lol I had it years later in restaurants. It's great.

The show also introduced me to some historical figures, like Sigmund Freud in "I'd Rather Twitch than Fight." I loved Norman Fell's deadpan portrayal of Dr. Freud. The psychology behind the hounds tooth jacket-
"Bad taste". lol

[–] [email protected] (1732) 7 years ago

Yes, I, too, was very fascinated by the meals they had. To this day, I've never had Cocoa Van, and always thought
it was chicken in WINE sauce, not chicken with chocolate! Also, baked Alaska, which then, was considered chic. Now,
it's been relegated to being "so cruise ship!" There's also Cherries Jubilee, which is served with the candle.

We never had a wet bar either, but it's soooooooooo 1960's Connecticut.

Other fans on the show were always fascinated by the blue china, which I barely noticed, or paid any attention to.
I likes some of the bric-a-brac, or the red candy dish that stands on the dining room/kitchen divider.

For me, of course, it was the Gabriel Angel, blowing the horn on the weathervane. I've always thought that was the
coolest prop. And as I've written, I had it duplicated exactly in size, detail, and color for my kitchen wall.

Oh, and lastly, I, too, learned the word "malice" from that third season opener. And I also learned "forlorn" from
when Sam sees Mrs. Kravitz sitting out front with her luggage in curlers in "Splitsville."

[–] [email protected] (5501) 7 years ago

Oh I do remember how much you liked that weathervane! With repeated viewings I would focus on the paintings on the walls of the Stephens house. They were a middle class couple, so I doubt if they were originals. Still, they were very nice copies.

We never had anything remotely like that on our walls. My mom bought some prints at Woolworths though.

I was always impressed with Darrin's "den". Imagine a special room to watch to TV and do work that he brought from the office!

I forgot about some of the other desserts, Cherries Jubilee and baked Alaska. I also remember hearing about the latter on an episode of Batman. Our desserts were bowls of ice cream or cupcakes.

[–] Mikwalen (12) 7 years ago

Let's see - I loved the coffee cups and saucers, they had them all seasons.

This show was also where I first learned about the Salem witch trials!

[–] [email protected] (5501) 7 years ago

Yes, the Stephens had nice dinnerware. I was always impressed by the centerpiece and candles on the dinner table. We never had a table set like that!

I was going to mention Salem. But my post got too long. I may have heard of it in school, but the show really brought the witch trials to life. Of course Bewitched, like most pop culture got one detail wrong. Witches were not burned in Salem. They were hung. But I guess it didn't make much difference to you if you were accused of witchcraft.

The seventh season story arc when the cast went on location to Boston was informative. I remember seeing the ads during the summer and looking forward to it. I still remember the TV guide description of the season premiere. Samantha has to attend a meeting of witches in Salem, Massachusetts and Darrin is "persona non grata".

That was the first time I heard that phrase. After watching the episode, I took it to mean that he was not welcome!

That was also the first time I heard of a bedwarmer and what it was used for. It turned out to be an old suitor of Serena's. It was so funny when they kept referring to it as a bedpan and he (the bedwarmer warlock) got mad. lol

[–] [email protected] (1732) 7 years ago

I've never really thought the Salem shows were particularly inspired. They actually did very little
location shooting, and the ep where they shot the Fisherman's Memorial is actually pretty ho-hum,
to me (very little plot - just Serena turning Darrin into the seaman, and Sam saying it's part of
the ad campaign).

I think part two of the bedwarmer ep is Serena's best show. Montgomery is just sooooo good here.
But the Paul Revere thing, and the obsessed love-struck warlock show are just plain bland.

[–] [email protected] (5501) 7 years ago

Oh the Salem shows! Maybe not the best and not my favorites now, but I sure liked them back then!

I spent the summer looking forward to them when I saw the ABC ads about the upcoming season. Couldn't wait.

I had an interest in New England. I wanted to live there. In fact I did live in Vermont for a few years after college. I visited Boston a lot.

Of course these episodes probably had very little location shooting. But when I was a kid, you could've fooled me. After all, I was almost convinced that Lost in Space was filmed on location! LOL

I mention this arc because of the original question, namely, what I learned from Bewitched.

[–] adamdurrance (60) 7 years ago

I learned how to keep a clean house. To be civil to others. To be an adult in general treating others with respect while standing up to those who are disrespectful.

Learned to enjoy life as Endora always seemed to, just not in the same way.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 5 years ago

Mixed marriages are challenging but worth it