Midler responded in the affirmative. “It was a picture that started off a little bit sleepy, but somehow it found its niche, and it became kind of a cult classic and now it’s everywhere,” she said. “I wish I had a nickel for for every person who turned out in a Winifred Sanderson costume.”
She went on to say that after 27 years, she has reunited with Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker for this “one night only Halloween extravaganza,” a mockumentary called In Search of the Sanderson Sisters. Midler clarified, “It’s not just a Zoom call, and tickets are still available at nyrp.org.”
Meyers further pointed out that this event is not simply the cast talking about “the good old days,” but that they have actually have written a new script. The event, which will also feature Doug Jones from the original movie (he played Billy Butcherson), will raise money for the New York Restoration Project.
Pointing to an iconic picture from the film, Seth asked if Midler’s signature protruding teeth are going to show up at the reunion. “They are going to show up,” confirmed Midler. “They are not my original teeth, my original teeth did break because I have worn them on special occasions.”
Speaking of her fellow cast members, Midler said that she hasn’t seen Najimy and Parker together in 27 years. “I’ve seen them many times, but always solo.” When they did come together, Midler recalled that it was exactly the same as always. “It was like yesterday; it was like we were eating in the cafeteria — right to our old characters.”
Meyers later asked Midler how it feels to have a film like this with a “longer tail.” Midler said, “It’s so strange. We had so much fun making it, and we had no expectation for it, none at all, and as the years have gone by it’s just become this snowball, this gigantic snowball, and I have to say it has been so rewarding. People come to me and say, ‘Oh, I saw this when I was 6’ and these people have white hair.”
View the whole appearance below.
