User Reviews

This episode was as close to "reality" as Bewitched ever got. Although well done, it was a story that seemed out of place on this show. Bewitched actually did always deal with bigotry, but always on a fantasy level. Witch to Mortal is fantasy. In this episode, we have two little girls who don't understand why someone said that they can't be "sisters." This is indicative of the kind of bigotry that is all too real. As I watched this episode, I had to think about what was really bothering me. Then, it hit me. Tabatha and Lisa were both cute. They looked cute together, and it was an example of how children tend to not even notice racial differences. Of course, someone had to make them notice. The best part of the episode is when Larry Tate rejects the business of Mr Brockway, who is bigoted. The scene where Samantha makes Brockway see everyone in "black face" is, in itself, controversial. The intended message is obvious, but the scene could definitely be taken the wrong way. Then, there was Don Marshall and Janee Michelle as Lisa's parents. These were fine actors that should have had a stronger presence in this episode. Janee was very pretty and charming. I wouldn't mind seeing some of her other work. Overall, the story is well done. However, the focus should have been more on Tabatha and Lisa. They were smarter than the adults.

December 2020

This episode was broadcast 50 years ago and we've come far, yet much remains the same. Let's hope the next 50 years are such an improvement in race relations that the racism shown here will be unknown.

Just saw this episode, a long ago rerun of Bewitched from over 50 years ago on Christmas Day 2023.

Sometimes issues of the civil rights past go over our heads in today's world but this episode brings that aspect to the surface for all to see & reflect upon in these trying times. There are those that say that they are not racist nor do they feel as such but as the character in this deep story comes to discover that indeed he is one and it went over his head his whole life and comes to realization.

The story's plot is deep but understandable that sitcomes of the day had to keep it light and especially during Christmas which in this case was a punchline for forgiveness of the character's errant ways.

I could have given this episode 10 stars though but it seems to be missing something I can't put my finger on, though the episode clunked me over the head to what is happening today, here and now in the world today, as if we went back to the 1950s, going through civil rights battles all over again, as if we never learn and continue to repeat history. That is what this special episode brings to me, sad to say.

We either learn from history or we are condemned to repeat it, especially when education gets its rug pulled out from it.

Merry Christmas.

The Stephens' play host to a little black girl and Tabitha's spell to make them the same color gives both girls polka-dot complexions. The subsequent misunderstanding has a client of McMann & Tate (Mr. Brockway) thinking Darrin is in a mixed marriage.

This is a fan-favorite but not one of my top episodes, Xmas or otherwise. I suppose it gains favor because of the message and the fact it was written by a 10th Grade English class from Thomas Jefferson High School in L. A. I just find it very heavy-handed. Lisa, the little black girl, talks like a 40-year-old in an eight-year-old body. Why is she staying there in the first place? Is it necessary for her mother to accompany the husband on a business trip?

The second half is much better than the first, when Lisa's parents return. The best scene is when Mr. Brockway shows up at the Stephens' Xmas party and assumes Darrin and Lisa's mother are a couple. Sam gives the girls a speech about Sisterhood which makes Tabitha reverse the spell. In perhaps the only instance in the whole series, Larry actually dumps the client - because of his racism. So the episode deserves an extra star for that. For some reason, Sam then twitches so that Mr. Brockway sees everyone at the party - including himself - in blackface. This makes him return on Xmas day to own up to being a closet racist, who acknowledges he needs to reform.

A 6/10 but I gave it an extra star for Larry's uncharacteristically moral stand.

There is a whimsical-sounding instrumental version of "Jingle Bells" over the closing credits instead of the usual BEWITCHED theme, only the second of two times the regular closing theme was not used in 254 episodes.