Weekend Poll Top Three: Fans Still Enchanted by Bette Midler’s Role in Hocus Pocus

Bette Midler officially opens in the solo show, I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers, on April 24, and fans are clamoring to see this legend live on stage at the Booth Theatre. In anticipation of her opening night, we asked readers to vote on which of Midler’s illustrious screen roles was their favorite. The results are in, and a witch, a singer and a stage mother topped the list. Scroll below to see what fans had to say.

1. Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus - 37%
Even the Divine Miss M can’t argue with this choice. The Oscar-nominated actress has stated in interviews how she considers Winifred Sanderson, the mean but hilarious witch from Disney’s 1993 film Hocus Pocus, one of her favorite performances. "Hocus Pocus is one of my finest hours,” Midler told James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio. “But nobody knows it because the only people who watch it are six years old! I was consistent with that role from start to finish. I had a little thing going with my teeth, and I had a voice, and I had my mannerisms, and I loved her! And when you see her in every single scene, she is who she is. And she’s not me!”


2. CC Bloom in Beaches - 15%
Bette Midler split sides and broke hearts as brash superstar CC Bloom in the 1988 drama Beaches. The story about two women’s unlikely lifelong friendship became an instant classic. Not only did the role allow Midler to shine as an actress, it also showcased her sensational voice. Midler’s song “Wind Beneath My Wings” went on to become a worldwide hit, reaching the number one spot in the U.S. and Australia. The song also won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.


3. Rose in Gypsy- 10%
Midler was perfectly cast as the formidable stage mother Rose in the 1993 made-for-TV adaption of the Tony-winning musical Gypsy. Midler won acclaim for her performance (much of which was sung live on set) and picked up the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film, an Emmy nomination and the National Board of Review Award.

Thanks for voting!