Elizabeth Montgomery Movies

As with the previous season's "Twitching for UNICEF," this Bewitched episode is a half-hour endorsement for the United Nations Children's Fund. Not wishing to see her "national holiday" exploited, Endora refuses to allow Samantha and Tabitha to go trick-or-treating on behalf of UNICEF. When Sam defies her, Endora retaliates by transforming Darrin into a hideous Halloween witch. By episode's end, however, Endora is won over to the UNICEF cause -- and so, presumably, is the viewer. Written by Shirley Gordon, "To Trick or Treat or Not to Trick or Treat" first aired, appropriately enough, on October 30, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With the exception of Marion Lorne, who passed away in the spring of 1968, the familiar cast members of the fantasy sitcom Bewitched are all back on the job as the series enters its fifth season. Heading the cast as always are Elizabeth Montgomery as attractive witch Samantha "Sam" Stephens; Dick York as her long-suffering mortal husband, ad executive Darrin Stephens; Agnes Moorehead as Sam's overbearing witch mother, Endora; and Erin Murphy (occasionally spelled by her twin sister Diane Murphy) as Sam and Darrin's daughter, Tabitha, who has obviously inherited her mom's special conjuring skills. Making more and more appearances during this season is Sam's funloving, hippie-like identical cousin, Serena, who is given a marvelous showcase in the two-part "Cousin Serena Strikes Again." As in previous seasons, the actress playing Serena is billed as "Pandora Spocks," though one would have to be extremely naïve or obtuse not to recognize her as Elizabeth Montgomery. Conversely, series co-star Dick York is noticeably absent from several episodes. The industry rumor at the time was that York was tired of playing Darrin Stephens, and was staying home to protest the sillier aspects of his character. The truth, which was carefully hidden from the public for many years, was that the actor was suffering from back injuries sustained years earlier while filming the theatrical feature They Came to Cordura. As it turned out, Dick York left Bewitched at the end of season five, paving the way for the legendary "Darrin Number Two," (aka Dick Sargent). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

At the suggestion of Darrin's mother (Mabel Albertson), Samantha enters a slogan contest conducted by one of Darrin's clients, the Tinker Bell Diaper Company. Amazingly, Sam wins first prize: an all-expense-paid trip to Tahiti. But Darrin refuses to belief in the efficacy of blind luck, falsely accusing Sam of winning through witchcraft. Written by frequent Bewitched supporting actor Arthur Julian, "Is It Magic or Imagination?" first aired on November 21, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Leaping upon a chance comment made by Samantha, prankish Uncle Arthur switches Sam and Darrin's voices around. It's bad enough that Sam now sounds like Darrin and vice-versa, but it's even worse that this vocal confusion occurs just when Sam's help is needed to patch up the marriage of Larry and Louise Tate. This episode was scripted by frequent Bewitched contributors Lila Garrett and Bernie Kahn. "Samantha Loses Her Voice" first aired on December 5, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In his efforts to save the weeping willow tree which Darrin gave Samantha when Tabitha was born, Dr. Bombay inadvertently causes Sam to start sobbing uncontrollably. Because she is unable to explain the source of her melancholy, everyone assumes that Darrin has "done her wrong." The only cure for her copious weeping is unbridled laughter -- and that's even worse! Written by Douglas Tibbles, "Weep No More, My Willow" was originally scheduled to air on October 31, 1968, but ended up making its first network appearance on December 19 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A few seasons back, Abner Kravitz moved in with Darrin and Samantha when his wife, Gladys, kicked him out of the house. This time, it is Gladys' turn to bunk with the Stephenses after an argument with Abner. Unable to make the best of a bad situation, Darrin pleads with Sam to use witchcraft to bring the Kravitzes back together again. Frequent Bewitched supporting actor and scriptwriter Arthur Julian appears as Hogersdorf, the butcher. Written by Richard Baer, "Splitsville" was first telecast on May 16, 1968, as the final episode of Bewitched's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mistaking Samantha for her lookalike cousin Serena, a jealous witch named Brunhilde (Barbara Morrison) zaps Sam back to 1868 New Orleans. Unable to remember who she really is, Sam will remain spellbound in the past until she willingly kisses a mortal. Jack Cassidy guest stars as Southern "gentleman" Rance Butler, who ends up challenging Darrin to a duel. Also in the cast is Isabel Sanford of Good Times fame as family retainer Aunty Jenny. Written by Ed Jurist, "Samantha Goes South for a Spell" first aired on October 3, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mercedes McCambridge guest stars as ancient witch Carlotta, an old "friend" of Samantha's mother, Endora. Years earlier, Endora had promised that Sam would marry Carlotta's namby-pamby warlock son, Juke (Steve Franken). Now, Carlotta threatens to utterly destroy Darrin if the promise is not honored. Written by Lila Garrett and Bernie Kahn, "Darrin Gone! And Forgotten?" first aired on October 17, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Still determined to prove that Darrin is unworthy of Samantha, Endora casts a spell which transforms Darrin into a narcissistic fop, replete with love beads and Nehru jacket. Darrin's "new look" nearly costs him his job when he incurs the wrath of conservative client Mr. Hascomb (Herb Voland). On this occasion, it is the changing attitude of Mrs. Hascomb (Sara Seegar), rather than Sam's magic, which saves the day. First shown on November 7, 1968, "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall" was written by Lila Garrett and Bernie Kahn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When the Hucksters Club elects Darrin as Ad Man of the Year, Samantha pooh-poohs the notion that the honor will go to Darrin's head. To prove Sam wrong, Endora casts a spell which causes everyone to adore Darrin and to hang onto his every word, but only so long as he is in the same room with them. The fun begins when Darrin can't understand why his new fans suddenly become his biggest detractors when his back is turned, a fact that also causes enormous embarrassment for his boss, Larry Tate. Written by John L. Greene, "Man of the Year" originally aired on May 2, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to retrieve Tabitha's toy flying saucer, Aunt Clara accidentally summons a genuine spaceship from the dog star Sirius, bearing two canine-like aliens named Alpha (Hamilton Camp) and Orvis (Steve Franken). The crisis intensifies when a pair of Air Force officers (Larry D. Mann and Eldon Quick) descend upon the Stephens household. Originally telecast April 18, 1968, this was the final Bewitched episode to feature Marion Lorne as Aunt Clara; Lorne died on May 9 of that same year. "Samantha's Secret Saucer" was written by Jerry Mayer and Paul L. Friedman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Darrin wonders if his life would be any different if Samantha were to tell the world that she is a witch. To purge such thoughts from her husband's head, Sam conjures up a nightmare for Darrin, wherein he discovers that too much knowledge about Sam's magical powers would result in nothing but grief for everyone concerned. By the end of the dream, both Sam and Darrin have been forced to join the army under threat of being burned at the stake. Written by Richard Baer, "I Confess" originally aired on April 4, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While visiting the home of permissive parent Gretchen Millhowser (Peggy Pope), little Tabitha is tormented by Michael (Teddy Quinn), Gretchen's obnoxious brat of a son. Though she promised her own mommy, Samantha, that she wouldn't practice witchcraft, Tabitha can't resist the temptation to turn the bullying Michael into a bulldog. This was one of several Bewitched episodes written by former Orson Welles associate Richard Baer. "Playmates" was originally telecast on March 21, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide