The Good Witch (Hallmark)

I’m working at being a writer during my “twilight years”, having squandered the previous… Well, let’s just say that I’ve been around long enough to have quite a number of ideas for stories to write. And while I was busy writing one novel I had an idea for a second one. But then I found out about The Good Witch series of movies and their follow-on series. And since my idea centered around a mysterious woman who shows up in her ancestral home town and people begin to gossip that she might be a witch, etcetera, etcetera…Well, the last thing I wanted to do with my story idea was to come off sounding like a too-close-for-comfort cousin to what was already out there. And so I decided to check out The Good Witch movies and series. Besides, Catherine Bell has been a favorite since her days on JAG. And I liked her character in the TV miniseries The Triangle.And the first thing I noticed about The Good Witch is that you never actually see magic or witchcraft. People in the make believe town of Midleton are the ones who wonder if Cassandra Nightengale (Bell’s character) is a witch simply because she always seems to know what someone needs and provides it with either some cryptic phrase or an object. And she also tends to pop up right behind you when you least expect it.And during the course of the movies, and into the series she manages to become one of the most popular and beloved residents of the town. And while she is the star there are plenty of memorable performances from the other characters. One is the town busybody, Martha Tinsdale, who assumes that the sun revolves around her. She was the mayor’s wife in the first movie, but by the time of the last film, and beginning of the series, she is mayor, and likes the attention it garners, and quite often she is the one who strives to generate it.Another memorable character is that of Abigail, the previously unknown cousin to Cassandra (Cassie). She blows into town during one of the earlier movies and immediately sets about stirring things up. She has similar abilities to Cassie, but instead of occasionally stirring the pot while letting it simmer, Abigail prefers to put the lid on tight like a pressure cooker. And though she was only in one of the earlier movies she becomes a regular in the series. And this provides a steady, yet disruptive, contrast to Cassie’s methods for helping people.Now some changes were made between the last film and the start of the series. For one, the character and actor who portrayed Cassie’s new husband in the movies is written out, wherein he was the chief of police and was killed in the line of duty. Most likely because the actor moved on to another show before they decided to make the series. But even more obvious is that the daughter they had in the films, who was in kindergarten during the last one, is now 14 years old.And with Cassie being a widow this allows the show’s creators to stir up her pot with potential romantic entanglements. The first is the “best friend “, which is somewhat cliched, but leads to awkward moments and them questioning if they could have something more. The second is her new neighbor and the town’s new doctor, who has custody of his unruly teenage son after divorcing his cheating wife. And of course the ex shows up towards the end of the first season to try to keep the neighbors from becoming something more… I’ll try not to spoil the rest of that story arc by checking out how many episodes the ex wife is in, but she is definitely not a sympathetic character.But I only just started watching the second season of 7 total, so I’ll have to wait to see what happens to every character. And there are some minor (as of now) characters that have a different actor portraying them now, so I guess that a 10-episode season will result in actors moving on to more prominent roles in other series, though it is a bit jarring to get used to a new face in an established character.As far as my research to avoid copying ideas when writing my own book I have already changed up a number of elements. And on the whole I believe my story idea is actually going to be better for the changes. Not saying it’s going to be better than The Good Witch, only that it’s going to be better than what I first started jotting down for it.Just a final note. When season two began I noticed the production was using a lot more “establishing shots” of the town. And some of them give the impression that the town is much bigger than what the viewer was lead to believe from the movies and season one. And there are several drone shots that, whether intentional or not, seem to highlight that there a number of churches in the town. Possibly as many as a half dozen or more. Which makes me wonder if it was a silent nod to religious viewers who objected to a show about witchcraft… Heck, maybe that’s why the producers dropped the “The” from the title and so on the DVDs it’s just called Good Witch… Or am I reading too much into that…

I like good clean movies (or as clean as you can get nowadays). Good Witch was really quite clean. There was low cut shirts and dresses; a couple has wine over dinner; and a tasteful scene where a woman buys some aromatherapy oils to improve the intimacy between herself and her husband. It is not rated and the Dove Foundation gave it a four star and approved it for 12+.I love this movie and have watched it multiple times. It is the only "Good Witch" movie out on DVD. I originally saw this movie on Hallmark Channel and bought the DVD immediately. Most people might skip it because they think it is too predictable or "lame", but I like movies like that because I know I will be watching something that won't make me feel like I have just been "slimed".I love all the characters: Cassie (the good witch), Jake (the widowed Sheriff), Brandon and Lori (the sheriff's two children), George (their mother's father who lives with them), Derek (sheriff's deputy), Kyle (school bully then Brandon's friend), Nancy (town's travel agent/member of the citizen's league/friend and customer of Cassie), Martha (mayor's wife and person responsible for wanting "The Witch" out of town).She wins the approval of the Sheriff almost immediately and Cassie helps Lori with her bad dreams and Brandon with the school bully. She even helps Grandfather George. But before she can truly become part of Middleton, she will need to win over some of the more skeptical neighbors who don't approve of her unique ways. Especially the mayor's wife, Martha. She tries to get Cassie's shop closed and hopefully push her out of town.The rest of this six part series are all worth watching and buying. They are clean, uplifting and teach great lessons about trust, love and family."THE GOOD WITCH'S GARDEN": Cassie has settled into Middleton and is busy making a home of Grey House. Her boyfriend, Sheriff Jake Russell, and his kids are happy to have Cassie in the neighborhood, but she has yet to gain the trust of some people in town. Before long, a stranger rolls into town with papers entitling him to legal ownership of Grey House. Before she knows it, Cassie is left without a home and is convinced Middleton isn’t where she belongs. Ultimately, everyone will learn holding on too tightly to something can make it more likely that thing will slip through your fingers."THE GOOD WITCH'S GIFT": Cassandra Nightingale always has a few tricks up her sleeve, but is surprised when her handsome sweetheart, Police Chief Jake Russell, proposes. Getting into the spirit of the season, they set their wedding date for Christmas Eve--only six days away! As the two hurry to plan the wedding, trouble clouds their happiness when a mysterious man from Jake's past returns to town."THE GOOD WITCH'S FAMILY": Life is going well for Cassie as she settles into marriage with Middleton Police Chief Jake Russell and as stepmom to Brandon and Lori. But evil soon blows into town in the form of Cassie's long-lost cousin Abigail, who whips up wickedness like a tornado. The once peaceful Russell family bickers night and day; Jake is fired after an argument with the Mayor over a bridge expansion; and Martha, the Mayor's wife and town busy body, walks out on her long marriage. As the town divides further over neighborhood expansion, Cassie is drafted to run for Mayor. With in her once-happy marriage, her family is unraveling, and Abigail's diabolical "double, double, toil and trouble" is the apex of Cassie's misery. What's a good witch to do?"THE GOOD WITCH'S CHARM": Good Witch Cassie Nightingale is back to her bewitching ways, but this time she’s also juggling a newborn daughter and her job as town Mayor. With such a busy schedule she and her husband, town sheriff Jake Russell, aren’t getting much sleep. Hoping for a break, Cassie plans a much needed vacation with her new family. But things go awry when a crime wave sweeps through town and an investigative reporter tries to ruin Cassie’s image after a video of her magically disappearing turns up on the internet. Supported by her loyal family and friends, Cassie must rely on her signature charm to put a stop to the troubles before they completely destroy the town, and a Good Witch’s reputation!"THE GOOD WITCH'S DESTINY": (which is still in production): "There's something definitely magical about Cassie Nightingale. But when even her loved ones start to wonder how Cassie seems to know everything and be everywhere, the good witch senses that she's in for a rough ride... It begins with stepdaughter Lori's writing project, the story of the Grey Lady who once lived in their house many years ago – and who shared more than the same birthday and an amazing physical likeness with Cassie. Then Drew arrives in Middleton, a boastful young man prone to investing fortunes into hopeless scams and blaming others when his projects fail. The person responsible – in his eyes – for his current fiasco and his fiancée's break-up with him is Cassie. And the vibes he is sending out in her direction are definitely laced with danger. Lori then discovers the Grey Lady's journal which suddenly breaks off on her birthday, which is also Cassie's. As her family fears for her safety, Cassie resolves to clear up the hocus-pocus concerning Drew and the Grey Lady with a tried-and-true method: humor, openness and the acceptance of one's destiny."Overall, I love this movie and the 4 (soon to be 5) others in this series and will definitely watch it/them over and over again. I can't wait for all of them to be out on DVD. I will definitely be purchasing the whole series.

Love these movies

Personal use. Love the Good Witch series and the movies

Love it

I usually watch it before going to bed because even though everyone there is Unrealistically happy, it is a feel good show. Every actor is fantastic. The mayor! Ha ha ha! Love the scenery of the small town also. It’s like a Hallmark movie. So glad there are many Series.

First in a series of 'made for US TV' Good Witch films. Basically it's about a mysterious but charming young women who shows up in a small American town after she inherits an old grey house with links to witch craft. Is she a witch or not? That's left for the audience to decide. The film was originally aired on the 'Hallmark' channel, which gives you an idea of the kind of film to expect. Can't put my finger on it but there is just something about these 'feel good' romantic films I like. Although Catherine Bell's character (Cassandra Nightingale) could sometimes be described as too good to be true, in my opinion, for the most part she 'pulls it off' quite well. A nice family friendly afternoon movie which is a good introduction to the rest of films in the series: The Good Witch's Garden, Gift, Family and Charm.

Hoping for better. It seems to be modelled on the film Practical Magic, which I prefer by a long way. But this is a very nice happy film for kids and happy people.

I love this series of films - great feel good factor when everything else on offer is so dark and gloomy!

Really enjoyed it, although unable to get in the UK, so had to watch on the PC. There are other movies but have not been able to find them, such a shame that we can't get them here.

Came early an was from USA to England all as described very happy