Unsung Special Effects in Bewitched: The Magic of Real Performances

In the 1960s television hit Bewitched, special effects played a significant role in bringing the show’s fantasy elements to life. However, what might be overlooked is the array of real-life stunt performances that contributed greatly to the show's authenticity and charm. One lesser-known but fascinating example is Elizabeth Montgomery’s nose twitch, a subtle gesture that became a hallmark of the character Samantha.

Elizabeth Montgomery's Nervous Tics: The Reality Behind the Magic

According to producers and director, Elizabeth Montgomery, best known for playing Samantha Stevens, had a nervous habit of twitching her upper lip when she felt anxious. This twitching, while minor, was often visible during auditions and early stages of filming Bewitched. The show's director noticed that when Montgomery twitched her upper lip, it also caused her nose to wiggle slightly. Instead of emphasizing a stereotypical hand-wave, the director chose to highlight the subtle nose twitching. This choice not only added a natural authenticity to the character but also emphasized the comedy and lighter moments in the series.

But there was another level of trickery. In close-up shots, the director would subtly speed up the film to make the nose twitching appear more exaggerated and magical, fooling many viewers into believing it was a carefully crafted special effect. This technique often led viewers and even Erin Murphy, who played Tabitha, to believe that the nose twitching was, in fact, a special effect, such as animation.

The Truth Behind the Tics and Twitches

Erin Murphy, who portrayed Tabitha, claimed that her mother’s nose twitch was indeed a special effect. While Murphy might not have known all the specifics behind the production, the term "special effect" can be quite subjective. What one person considers a special effect might be another's natural performance tic. This ambiguity reflects the sometimes murky boundaries between what constitutes a special effect and a stunt performance.

A similar scenario exists with Janet Leigh and Alfred Hitchcock's famous shower scene in Psycho. In her memoir, Leigh disputed claims that Hitchcock had delegated the shower scene's direction to an assistant. However, given Hitchcock’s meticulous pre-production storyboarding and the painstaking post-production editing, it’s plausible that he left certain elements—like shots of the shower’s body parts—to his assistants. This would allow Hitchcock to focus on the more crucial aspects of the scene, such as Leigh’s facial reactions and overall tension.

The Importance of Natural Performances and Subtle Effects

In both Bewitched and Psycho, the natural performances and subtle effects contributed more to the overall impact of the shows than the heavily crafted special effects alone. The nose twitching in Bewitched serves as a poignant reminder that some of the most memorable moments in television are often the result of performances that seem effortless and authentic.

Moshe Rifkin, a professor of communications at the University of Southern California, notes that authentic performances and subtle special effects can work in tandem to create a more immersive experience for the audience. The use of sped-up film to enhance the nose twitching aligns with this idea, blending the lines between real performance and carefully crafted effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while special effects in television and film are often the focus of attention, it is the subtle and often unheralded performances that truly bring the magic to a show like Bewitched. The nose twitching of Elizabeth Montgomery, presented as both a natural performance and a subtle effect, is a testament to the interplay between genuine acting and the artful use of post-production techniques. This seamless blend of reality and magic is what makes television and film both enchanting and believable.

What do you think about the behind-the-scenes secrets of Bewitched and other classic shows? Share your thoughts and favorite stunts in the comments below!