April 30, 1974

We all remember Agnes Moorehead (December 6, 1900 to April 30, 1974) as Endora in Bewitched (1964 to 1972). I am not sure why she is more famous for this television show than for her many other roles in public media over 50 years. I suspect the popularity of the show, and perhaps her own role in it, owes more to the show's cultural position in the times, rather than the wit and quality of the productions. The lead is a housewife according to all the stereotypes--- can't drive, keeps the home front, the perfect little woman. Except for one thing -- the realities of time and space do not bind her, since she is actually a witch. The Feminine Mystique was new in 1963, but of course its effect was years in propagation. Bewitched may have been the magic that preceded religion, like paganism preceded monotheism. Moorehead photographs:







I actually adored Bewitched. There were not as many cats as the stereotypes of witches and cats might suggest. But there were some: in one show Darrin has business out of town, and Endora, disguised as a cat, spies on him.