The Salem witch trials, which occurred in colonial Massachusetts in 1692, were a dark period in American history when paranoia and fear led to the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft. The village of Salem was gripped by a hysteria that fed on itself, resulting in the persecution of innocent individuals based on mere accusations. One of the victims of this witch hunt was a man named George Jacobs. Jacobs was an elderly and respected member of the community, known for his knowledge of herbal remedies and his herbalist practice. However, his reputation did not protect him from the frenzy that swept through the village. George Jacobs was accused of practicing witchcraft by several young girls who claimed to have been tormented by his alleged spectral presence.
Billie Hayes was born April 11, 1925, in Du Quoin, Illinois, and she got her start in show business at a young age, dancing at local nightclubs beginning at age 9.
As part of the pantheon of great pop culture witches, Witchiepoo also appeared on the 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special in a sketch with The Wizard of Oz s Wicked Witch, Margaret Hamilton. Much like Wiley Coyote s perpetual quest to kill the Roadrunner, Witchiepoo was perpetually trying to steal the magical Freddy the Flute, with Hayes offering a slapstick performance kitted out in green make-up and a fake nose.
George Jacobs was accused of practicing witchcraft by several young girls who claimed to have been tormented by his alleged spectral presence. These girls, who would later become known as the "afflicted girls," played a central role in the accusations against many innocent people during the Salem witch trials. The young girls claimed that George Jacobs had bewitched them, causing them to suffer from fits and strange visions.
Billie Hayes, Witchiepoo in H.R. Pufnstuf, dies at 96
Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, Ms. Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, It Happened One Fight, is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen.
Published on May 3, 2021Billie Hayes, the character actress best known for her comedically villainous turn as Witchiepoo on H.R. Pufnstuf, has died. She was 96.
Hayes died Thursday of natural causes. Her family announced the news.
"In addition to being a very talented and special person, Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West/Wizard of Oz) once told me that Witchiepoo was the best witch ever," H.R. Pufnstuf co-creator Marty Krofft said in a statement to EW. "And as far as I'm concerned, there was no one better than Billie Hayes. She was a home run for us and H.R Pufnstuf."
The vaudeville-inspired Witchiepoo stole the show on H.R. Pufnstuf, which ran for only 17 episodes on NBC in 1969. It was also adapted to a feature film, 1970's Pufnstuf, and Hayes reprised the role there. Much like Wiley Coyote's perpetual quest to kill the Roadrunner, Witchiepoo was perpetually trying to steal the magical Freddy the Flute, with Hayes offering a slapstick performance kitted out in green make-up and a fake nose.
She also brought Witchiepoo back on H.R. Pufnstuf creators Sid and Marty Krofft's other shows, including The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and Lidsville. As part of the pantheon of great pop culture witches, Witchiepoo also appeared on the 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special in a sketch with The Wizard of Oz's Wicked Witch, Margaret Hamilton.
Billie Hayes was born April 11, 1925, in Du Quoin, Illinois, and she got her start in show business at a young age, dancing at local nightclubs beginning at age 9.
She began her career on the stage, rising to prominence on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1956, alongside Maggie Smith, after appearing in the revue What's New With Paul Lynde.
Hayes' biggest Broadway success came as Mammy Yokum in the 1956 musical adaptation of the comic strip Lil' Abner. She replaced original cast member Charlotte Rae in the role, and then Hayes went on to portray Mammy in the 1959 movie and a 1971 TV special.
In the national tour of Hello, Dolly! starring Betty Grable, Hayes played jittery hat shop assistant Minnie Fay.
On screen, she found particular success in voiceover work, playing roles in The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries, The Flintstones Comedy Show, Trollkins, The Real Ghostbusters, Rugrats, Transformers: Rescue Bots, The Black Cauldron, The Night Before Christmas, The Powerpuff Girls, and more.
In the 1980s, Hayes had a recurring role on General Hospital as international spy Agent Brighton O'Reilly. Other TV credits include The Monkees, Bewitched, Donny & Marie, and Murder, She Wrote.
Hayes was also a great animal lover and founded the nonprofit animal rescue organization Pet Hope, serving as its president until her death.
Hayes is survived by niece Nancy Powers, nephews Tom Brosch, Louie Brosch, and Guy Brosch; their spouses; and several great-nieces and -nephews.
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She began her career on the stage, rising to prominence on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1956, alongside Maggie Smith, after appearing in the revue What's New With Paul Lynde.
Their testimonies, filled with vivid descriptions of their alleged encounters with Jacobs' spectral form, convinced the authorities of his guilt. Jacobs was arrested, interrogated, and subjected to a humiliating and degrading physical examination. During the examination, which was conducted to find so-called "witches' marks" on his body, he was stripped naked. The authorities believed that if they found any unusual marks on his body, it would be evidence of his pact with the devil. Despite his protests of innocence, George Jacobs was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death. On August 19, 1692, he was executed by hanging. His execution was witnessed by a crowd of onlookers, many of whom believed in his guilt. The case of George Jacobs demonstrates the absolute chaos and injustice of the Salem witch trials. Innocent people like Jacobs, who had no actual evidence of practicing witchcraft, were accused and condemned based solely on the testimony of young girls caught up in a wave of hysteria. The Salem witch trials serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the power of fear to corrupt justice. They are a grim chapter in American history that highlights the importance of critical thinking, due process, and the presumption of innocence..
Reviews for "George Jacobs: A Symbol of the Injustices of the Salem Witch Trials"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "George Jacobs: Witch Hunt in the Salem Witch Trials". While the subject matter is intriguing and the Salem Witch Trials are a fascinating part of history, this book fell short for me. The writing style was dry and lacked any real depth or emotion. It felt more like a textbook than a captivating narrative. Additionally, I found the organization of the book to be confusing and hard to follow. There were moments where I thought the author was going to delve into the psychological aspects of the witch hunt, but instead, it felt like a superficial retelling of the events. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it to others seeking a more engaging look at the Salem Witch Trials.
2. Sarah - 3 stars
As someone who is deeply interested in the Salem Witch Trials, I was excited to read "George Jacobs: Witch Hunt in the Salem Witch Trials". However, I found the book to be lacking in detail and analysis. The author briefly touched on George Jacobs' role in the trials, but failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of his character or motivations. The book seemed more focused on the overall events of the witch trials rather than giving proper attention to its alleged protagonist. I was left wanting more depth and exploration of George Jacobs' story. While the book offers a basic overview of the Salem Witch Trials, it falls short in delivering a comprehensive examination of its central figure. Disappointing, to say the least.
3. Mike - 2 stars
I cannot say I enjoyed "George Jacobs: Witch Hunt in the Salem Witch Trials". The book lacked coherence and failed to provide a clear direction. The author jumped from one event to another without proper transitions, leaving me confused and disengaged. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dull and uninteresting. The author had an opportunity to shed light on George Jacobs and his experiences during the Salem Witch Trials, but instead, the book reads like a disjointed collection of historical facts. The lack of depth and analysis made it difficult to connect with the characters and fully understand their motivations. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and comprehensive account of George Jacobs' involvement in the trials.
4. Rebecca - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "George Jacobs: Witch Hunt in the Salem Witch Trials" as I am a history enthusiast, particularly when it comes to events as captivating as the Salem Witch Trials. However, this book left me feeling disappointed and underwhelmed. The writing style was flat and lacked any real emotion or descriptive language. I found it challenging to connect with the characters and understand their experiences. The author seemed more focused on recounting the events of the trials rather than exploring the psychological impact it had on the individuals involved. I was left wanting more depth and analysis. Overall, this book missed the mark for me and failed to offer a compelling narrative of George Jacobs' witch hunt in the Salem Witch Trials.