The Legacy of Bridget Bishop and the “Witches” of Salem

Salem witch trial
Bridget Bishop

On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person hanged in Salem, Massachusetts after being accused of being a witch. By the end of the year, a total of nineteen innocent men and women had been hanged –and one man had been pressed to death — as a result of the Salem witch trials.

Hysteria around accusations of witchcraft were not unique to Salem and occurred around the world.  But the Salem executions remain prominent in America’s history. There are various theories about the conditions and rivalries that led to the accusations of witchcraft and the government’s condoning of the executions.

The Crucible

Although the U.S. does not hang people for being witches today, the Salem witch trials are still invoked for modern day forms of hysteria. Playwright Arthur Miller used a dramatic interpretation of the Salem witch trials to comment on the witch-hunting of his own time. His play The Crucible opened in 1953.  This fictionalized version of the Salem witch trials provided a commentary on the American government’s hunt for communists during Miller’s time.

Director Nicholas Hytner turned Miller’s play into a movie in 1996. The film version of The Crucible stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, and Joan Allen.

At the time of the movie’s release, Miller wrote an essay in The New Yorker, “Why I Wrote ‘The Crucible.'” In the article, he explained that when he wrote the play over the course of a year, he also thought of other recent events of national insanity, like the Nazis in Germany. He also noted that the play continued to be relevant to later events in Joseph Stalin’s Russia, Mao Zedong’s China, and Augusto Pinochet’s Chile.

In his essay, Miller further explained, “below its concerns with justice the play evokes a lethal brew of illicit sexuality, fear of the supernatural, and political manipulation.” The play remains relevant as a reminder to stand up against hysteria and tyranny.

The West Memphis 3

A few years before the release of the film version of The Crucible, similar concerns about justice, illicit sexuality, fear of the supernatural, and political manipulation arose in the prosecution of the West Memphis 3. That case involved three young men convicted of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Arkansas.

In the case, where some evoked parallels with the Salem with trials, the three accused eventually were released.  Documentaries had helped create supporters for the three young men.

One of the three young men in the West Memphis 3 case, Damien Echols, was sentenced to death.  Echols dressed and believed differently than others in the Arkansas community. Many believed his differences contributed to the reason he was prosecuted and sentenced to death.

After Echols was released from prison, he moved to Salem, Massachusetts. He explained, “Due to its history, Salem’s like a mecca for people in any form of alternative spirituality.”

A recent movie, Devil’s Knot (2013), tells the story of the West Memphis 3 in a dramatic retelling. That film, by chance or intent, was released on DVD in 2014 on the June 10 Salem anniversary.

Devil’s Knot, which stars Colin Firth and Reese Withspoon, is a decent introduction to the West Memphis 3 case and features a strong performance by Witherspoon.  But the movie may try to do too much. And it is hard to beat the outstanding Paradise Lost documentaries.

The three documentaries are worth seeking out (the first of which currently is on YouTube).  But viewers should be prepared that the films evoke strong emotions in recounting the horrible murders and problematic justice system. Similarly, the 1996 movie version of The Crucible features fine acting and remains a powerful reminder that injustice is not confined to one time period.

The Legacy of Salem

Bridget Bishop was around sixty years old when she went to the gallows. But we do not know what she thought as the executioner put a noose around her neck this week in 1692.

Perhaps the residents of Salem failed to stop the execution because of their own fears. Perhaps they would not risk their own lives for someone who was “different” because she had been married three times, frequented taverns, and did not dress like other Puritans.

But I wish Ms. Bishop could have known that she and the other condemned “witches” would not be forgotten.  And I wish they could know that they continue to challenge us and make us question our beliefs more than three hundred years later.

Bridget Bishop picture via public domain. Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Pop Culture Roundup (Mid-January 2012)

    24 complete series Keifer Sutherland

    In case you were too busy driving around with your dog on your car roof or wondering how to finish that research paper with Wikipedia going dark for a day in protest of a proposed law, here are some of the recent pop culture stories you might have missed.

    Movies

    The Los Angeles Times notes that four recent movies leave the viewer with an open ending. (Watch out for spoilers!)

    Do the proposed George Clooney is planning a movie about art historians rescuing art looted by the Nazis.

    Keifer Sutherland reports that shooting for a 24 movie could start in a few months.

    A new documentary looks at the life and career of comedian Bernie Mac.

    Metromix has 21 films to watch for in 2012.

    Another Bruce Almighty sequel is in the works, but this time with Jim Carrey returning.

    James Franco’s new movie about the life of writer Hart Crane is available on demand or through download. (review)

    This year, four film classics return to theaters but this time in 3-D. . .

    The Los Angeles Times takes a look at the character of Sherlock Holmes’s sidekick Watson on the screen through the years.

    NY Times reviews new documentary in the Paradise Lost series about the West Memphis 3, recently cleared of murder.

    Why an empty box was the Star Wars holiday gift sensation in 1977.

    Watch the trailer for Wes Anderson’s upcoming film, Moonrise Kingdom:

    Music

    Owl and Bear has an interesting list of top 2011 albums.

    The New York Times reviewed why Woody Guthrie is relevant now.

    Kelly Willis talks about making an album with her husband Bruce Robison. (No Depression)

    Madlands? Bruce Springsteen’s forthcoming album is angry. (Paste)

    A conversation with Texas legendary troubadour Billy Joe Shaver.

    Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift will perform at Grammy Awards on Feb. 12.

    A proposed Indiana law sets performance standards (w/ fines) for the national anthem at public schools and colleges.

    Turnstyled Junkpiled has a “tribute show” collection of videos of artists covering Townes Van Zandt songs.

    John Fogerty made a guest appearance on the new Fox TV show The Finder, also singing the theme song.

    Van Halen
    just released its first David Lee Roth video since 1996.

    Television

    The Golden Globes award show was on Sunday, leading to the question: Do the Golden Globes pick better winners than the Oscars?

    The 500th episode of The Simpsons airs Feb. 19.

    The Paley Center for Media celebrates Bill Cosby’s 50 years in show biz.

    AMC is developing a Goodfellas TV series. Yeah, I think this is funny. Clown funny.

    Hostess Twinkies

    Other Pop Culture News

    Alvin! Check out the history of Alvin and the Chimpmunks.

    Barry Larkin on his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

    A new biography of Stephen Hawking celebrates the ideas of the world’s most famous scientist. (review)

    Better start stockpiling those Twinkies and cupcakes. Hostess filed for bankruptcy.

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    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (11 Dec. 2011)

    chewbacca toy In case you have been too busy this week angrily Tweeting about American Airlines because a flight attendant interrupted a game you were playing on your phone, here are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed this week. FYI, see below for a funny video relating to the American Airlines incident. Three of the big stories that were already covered this week in Chimesfreedom were the passings of actor Harry Morgan, singer Dobie Gray, and blues man Hubert Sumlin, so check out those stories too. But here are some of the lesser known reviews and stories from the fields of movies, music, and popular culture.


    —— Movies —–

    Filmmakers are clashing with each other over access to West Memphis 3 witnesses.

    The Hangover III may be set in Los Angeles and may try a new formula.

    The Los Angeles Times contemplated predictions for the Golden Globe race for drama films.

    The Sundance Film Festival announced its short film roster.

    Salon featured a slide show of 20 classic spy movies.

    The trailer for the new Three Stooges movie is out.

    Jeremy Piven revealed that an Entourage movie is in the works.

    A sci-fi fan is suing James Cameron, claiming the director stole Avatar story idea.

    Below is a video tribute to the year of 2011 in film and music, “The 2011 Portfolio”:

    —– Music —–

    Amnesty International released a 4-CD set: Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan: Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty Intnl.

    In the New York Times, Camille Paglia reviewed Greil Marcus’s new book on the Doors.

    Was Gram Parsons an underrated songwriter?

    2012 R&R Hall Inductees: Beastie Boys, Donovan, Guns N’ Roses, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers & Small Faces/Faces.

    Barbara Orbison, the widow of Roy Orbison, passed away Tuesday.

    Lady Gaga’s latest video, for “Marry the Night,” is 14 min long and reflects one of her darker days.

    Popdose has a funny discussion of the AM Gold songs from 1967.

    New music collaborations include My Morning Jacket & Kelly Clarkson, as well as Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys on tour.

    Cover Lay Down has covers of songs in the new Christmas canon.

    Twangville has a review of a recent performance by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

    Blogness has Bruce Springsteen’s performance with Gaslight Anthem from this week in Asbury Park.

    Billboard named Adele the top artist of 2011 as she makes history.

    —– Television —–

    In Wookie news, Chewbacca is going to guest star on Glee.

    The Mythbusters guys apologized after they accidentally fired a cannonball into a residential area earlier this week.

    “Very funny.” — Tonight Show bandleader Kevin Eubanks on the Roots’ controversial entrance song for Michele Bachmann.

    Laugh-In star Alan Sues, who also was in the Twilight Zone Episode “The Masks,” passed away this week.

    Was it too soon for Saturday Night Live to spoof the Penn State scandal? Colin Quinn thinks so. In other SNL news, Alec Baldwin appeared on the show last night to apologize about the American Airlines incident to . . . Alec Baldwin, “an American treasure.”

    —– Other Pop Culture News —–

    Manny Ramirez un-retired from baseball. That’s Manny being . . . Brett.

    Salon listed its favorite non-fiction books of 2011.

    Jerry Robinson, the comic book artist who created Batmans’s The Joker, passed away yesterday. RIP.

    In the way that all sci-fi alien horror movies begin. . . NASA just discovered an earth-like planet. Assuming the aliens do not attack us, we will see you with more pop culture stories soon. . .

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    Paradise Lost: West Memphis 3 Released

    Paradise Lost On Chimesfreedom, we have often noted the power of movies, and one example of that occurred today when Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley walked out of an Arkansas court today as free men. Known as “the West Memphis 3,” the three were convicted in 1994 of killing three young boys. One of the three victims was mutilated, making some suspect a Satanic ritual killing, which cast suspicion on Echols, Baldwin, and Misskelley, partly because Echols practiced Wicca. When they were convicted in 1993, Echols was eighteen and the other two were under eighteen. The conviction was based in large part on an inconsistent confession that police obtained from the borderline mentally retarded Misskelley after twelve hours of interrogation.

    In 1996, directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky released the award-winning documentary Paradise Lost – The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills about the case. I remember seeing the film years ago and being intrigued by the disturbing case. The documentary raised serious questions about the guilt of the three youths convicted of the crime. (Below is part one of the first film.)

    In 2000, a sequel Paradise Lost 2: Revelations raised further questions about the evidence and focused on continuing efforts to prove Echols and the other two were innocent. Watching the movies, one begins to suspect another person featured in the films may have been involved in the murders. The movies helped gain support for the West Memphis 3 from a number of celebrities, including Eddie Vedder and Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks), who were at the court hearing in Arkansas this morning. A third movie on the case is scheduled for a January release.

    Today, following the discovery that DNA evidence did not connect the three to the crime, prosecutors allowed the three to plead guilty and maintain their innocence. Through the plea deal, the three were released for their time already served in prison.

    Are they innocent? It is difficult to tell with a plea deal like this, and there is some evidence against them while there are also serious questions about much of the evidence. Either way, though, they have each spent seventeen years in prison, with Echols having spent part of that time on death row when he initially was sentenced to death. In light of today’s news, it is quite fortunate that he was not executed. Hopefully, some justice was done in the case. But paradise cannot be regained, as their time in prison cannot be returned, and the lives of the murdered boys cannot be brought back.

    The release of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley is due largely to the work of their attorneys and supporters, but it is fair to wonder whether or not they would have gained this attention and received the quality of legal representation they did without the notoriety that came from the films. Movies can make us happy, they can make us cry, they can comfort us, they can make us angry, they can inform us, and maybe they can correct injustices.

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