Elizabeth Montgomery: Beyond The Nose Twitch

Let’s take a trip back to the swinging '60s, where a magical sitcom captured the hearts of millions. Elizabeth Montgomery, the enchanting star of Bewitched, became an iconic figure for a generation. Running from 1964 to 1972, this supernatural comedy followed the life of Samantha Stephens, a witch who marries a mortal man named Darrin, played initially by Dick York and later by Dick Sargent. The show was a delightful mix of comedy and charm, as Samantha tried to live a normal life while navigating the chaos caused by her magical family.

The Legacy of Bewitched

There’s no denying the enormous popularity of Bewitched during its time. The show was more than just a hit—it was a cultural phenomenon. But when the series ended, Elizabeth Montgomery was determined to move beyond her role as Samantha. She wanted to prove to the world that she was more than just a witch with a twitching nose. For Elizabeth, Bewitched wasn’t just a show; it was a chapter in her life that she felt needed closure. Yet, despite her desire to distance herself from the role, one person managed to break through her carefully constructed barrier—Herbie J. Pilato.

Herbie J. Pilato: The Man Who Knew Elizabeth

Herbie J. Pilato is the author of The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery: A Guide to Her Magical Performances and Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery. Through multiple interviews and deep conversations, Herbie developed a unique understanding of who Elizabeth truly was. Sitting down with her over several sessions, Herbie came away feeling like he had uncovered the real woman behind the famous nose twitch. Elizabeth wasn’t just a TV icon; she was a complex and fascinating individual.

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Herbie recalls, “Elizabeth was everything you could possibly want in a TV star. She was warm, welcoming, and incredibly genuine. Yet, she was also deeply private and guarded. For her to open up about Bewitched—a subject she hadn’t discussed in depth since the show ended—was a big deal. From our first voicemail exchange to our first meeting, she seemed down-to-earth and accessible. She was a real sweetheart, but she was also a very complex person. I saw that complexity firsthand.”

Building Trust with Elizabeth

Before diving into Elizabeth’s complexities, it’s worth noting how Herbie earned her trust and eventually became a close friend. Back in 1985, Herbie was working as a page at NBC and involved in the publicity for the TV movie I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later. He recalls, “I was upset. I thought, ‘If anyone should be doing a reunion movie about a magical blond woman and a dark-haired mortal man, it should be Bewitched!’ Bill Asher, the creative force behind Bewitched and Elizabeth’s ex-husband, directed the Jeannie movie, which upset me even more.”

In a bold move, Herbie wrote a script for a Bewitched reunion movie and managed to get it to Bill Asher. At the time, Sony was also planning a movie version of the show, and the Bewitched universe was buzzing with activity. In Bill’s proposed reboot, Samantha would make a brief appearance to introduce a new, younger witch. Elizabeth was set to make a cameo, which was a huge deal.

Unfortunately, the financing for the project fell apart. But Herbie didn’t give up. He wondered if Elizabeth might be willing to collaborate on a book looking back at the show. After Bill Asher checked with her, Herbie was given her phone number and eventually found himself in Elizabeth’s home, chatting with her about all things Bewitched.

During one of their conversations, Elizabeth asked Herbie why he was doing this. He replied, “Because I believe in Bewitched. It’s a show about love and acceptance, about overcoming differences. It’s also about strong ethics, where Darrin wanted to provide for his wife without relying on magic. Samantha wasn’t a pushover; she chose to live a mortal life. She was one of the first truly independent women on TV.” Elizabeth listened intently and agreed to the book, noting that Bill Asher rarely told her to talk to anyone.

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