# The Top Witches **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2016, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097 "2016-01-14T01:59:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/41 "2016-01-14T12:12:22Z")
What? No love for Queen Grimhilde\*, the Wicked Queen/Evil Stepmother of Disney’s _Snow White and the Seven Dwarves_ 91937)? She scared the hell out of little kids in the 1930s (in the 1980s they still had signs on the Seven Dwarves Mine Ride at Disneyland warning little children about the scary witch). But to adult guys, in her Queen persona she was sexy as hell. It wasn’t until I finally saw Merian C. Cooper’s version of _She_ (1934) that I realized that Disney ripped off his Evil Queen from Cooper’s incarnation of H. Rider Haggard’s sexy Evil Queen. She even threatened to change the image of the Wicked Witch of the West in MGM’s _Wizard of Oz_. There exist stills of a “beautiful” witch in that role, done as a test clearly influenced by Disneyt’s first feature cartoon (and in sharp distinction to L. Frank Baum’s original book and its illustrations). Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed, and we got Margaret Hamilton in green makeup. If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have _Wicked_ today. - > [@](#): > > The Queen, usually known as the Evil Queen or the Wicked Queen, is the villain in the 1937 Disney animated film. This version of the character was sometimes referred to as Queen Grimhilde in Disney publications of the 1930s, and was originally voiced by Lucille La Verne. > **[Evil Queen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_(Snow_White))** > > The Evil Queen (.mw-parser-output .tfd-dated{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .tfd-default{border-bottom:1px solid var(--border-color-base,#a2a9b1);clear:both;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .tfd-tiny{font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output .tfd-inline{border:1px solid var(--border-color-base,#a2a9b1)}.mw-parser-output .tfd-sidebar{border-bottom:1px solid var(--border-color-base,#a2a9b1);text-align:center;position:relative}@media(min-width:640px){.mw-parser-output .tfd-sidebar{clear:right;float:rig... ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/42 "2016-01-14T12:27:37Z")
In support of the similarity betwen Snow White’s Evil Queen and Ayesha from She: Evil Queen: > **[snow white wicked queen - Bing](http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=snow%2Bwhite%2Bwicked%2Bqueen&view=detailv2&&id=CA68680A058AD677D7994DEEF2520EEBCF747858&selectedIndex=0&ccid=2QQDKKUh&simid=608049339969964645&thid=OIP.Md9040328a5218f971cd116e7b3792ee2H0&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. Helen Gahagan as She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed (Ayesha) from **She** : > **[she helen gahagan - Bing](http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=she%2Bhelen%2Bgahagan&view=detailv2&qpvt=she%2Bhelen%2Bgahagan&id=8A484DC1A808AC8AB558EA0A8E558B85BA069FFE&selectedIndex=1&ccid=aPyOmfbo&simid=608029703389252120&thid=OIP.M68fc8e99f6e8d080efe5fa50e25db997o0&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. Discarded Beautiful Witch idea not used in _The Wizard of Oz_. > **[wizard of oz beautiful witch - Bing](http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=wizard%2Bof%2Boz%2Bbeautiful%2Bwitch&view=detailv2&qpvt=wizard%2Bof%2Boz%2Bbeautiful%2Bwitch&id=84E8F408380FD905352033823BCF50DF38794946&selectedIndex=6&ccid=LQimaPsX&simid=607987002824395415&thid=OIP.M2d08a668fb176c27b74de97f1b7272ddo2&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. Notice she still has that wraparound head thing. Evidently you can be evil and beautiful and a witch if they can’t see your hair. Kinda like nuns. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/43 "2016-01-14T12:31:38Z")
Granny Weatherwax, of course, but also Nanny Ogg. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/44 "2016-01-14T12:38:42Z")
Frau Totenkinder, the Queen from Snow White, Mombi ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/45 "2016-01-14T13:41:02Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Samantha Stephens. For pure witch power, this is the answer. Just by twitching her nose she could alter time, space, reality, matter, etc., and have dinner ready for when Darren’s boss dropped by unexpectedly for dinner. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/46 "2016-01-14T14:01:33Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Agreed. Elizabeth Montgomery was hot as hell, presented a comprehensive story and very sweet despite being married to that asshole Derwood or whatever his name was. Endora was right about him. > > 1. Samantha Stephens > 2. The Wicked Witch of the West > 3. Samatha’s fake brunette cousin Sabrina from Bewitched also played by Elizabeth Montgomery because, again, she was hot as the Devil’s cauldron. > 4. That other Sabrina, The Teenage Witch played by Melissa Joan Hart > 5. Someone from the Salem Witch Trials Nitpick: Samantha’s cousin was named Serena, not Sabrina. Speaking of _Bewitched_, if we can count “warlocks” from that show, I always had a fondness for Dr. Bombay, played by the delightful Bernard Fox. Almost, but not quite, the same as the Wicked Witch of the West, there’s also Elphaba Thropp from _Wicked_. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/47 "2016-01-14T14:02:52Z")
This thread has been an eyeopener for me. I need to read the Discworld novels. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/48 "2016-01-14T14:18:14Z")
I agree with everyone’s choices; witches are fun (and sometimes hot, i.e. Samantha / Serena). Speaking of fun and hot, I don’t think anyone mentioned [Gillian Holroyd](https://40.media.tumblr.com/566f641c0964c293174257b6c1382bb9/tumblr_moi2ppE3on1s58j52o1_500.jpg). And, though he is actually a wizard, I know there is much love for [Snape](https://ladygeekgirl.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/snape.jpg) (RIP Mr. Rickman; we’ll miss you ☹ ) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/49 "2016-01-14T14:25:11Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > AHAH! Not a witch! 😛 > > (Your answer was awesome… I really kind of love you. 😃 ) 🙂 Whether Isaac was himself a witch was something he never ever tired of arguing around the campfire…but he was, without a doubt, in the top 10 (heck, probably top 3) people most influential on modern witchcraft, so he gets an honorary broom, at least. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/50 "2016-01-14T14:45:36Z")
Samantha’s sister Serena. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/51 "2016-01-14T14:51:21Z")
Mother Waterhouse (OK. Maybe I cheated) > **[10 Notorious Witches And Warlocks - Listverse](https://listverse.com/2013/08/23/10-notorious-witches-and-warlocks/)** > > Many individuals have risen to notable power and fame thanks to their supposed knowledge of magic and the arcane arts. Some of them became rich and famous Aleister Crowley > **[Aleister Crowley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley)** > > Aleister Crowley (/ˈælɪstər ˈkroʊli/; born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, philosopher, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the prophet entrusted with guiding humanity into the Æon of Horus in the early 20th century. A prolific writer, he published widely over the course of his life. > Born to a wealthy family in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Crowle... ---
**Author:** ![Gothic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Gothic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gothic)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/52 "2016-01-14T14:52:45Z")
I’ll throw in Queen Bavmorda from Willow. ---
**Author:** ![GythaOgg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@GythaOgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GythaOgg)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/53 "2016-01-14T14:56:58Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Granny Weatherwax, of course, but also Nanny Ogg. I approve this remark. I have a Discworld art book where Pratchett himself described Nanny as 'Probably more powerful than Granny, but smart enough not to show it." At any rate, you can’t really separate them. I love Nanny. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/54 "2016-01-14T15:32:56Z")
Really? We wouldn’t have guessed. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/55 "2016-01-14T15:56:25Z")
Didn’t Conan get it on with a succulent witch in the first Conan film? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/56 "2016-01-14T16:01:21Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Samantha’s sister Serena. Cousin. Thinking out of the box, let’s not forget Witch-ay Woman! ---
**Author:** ![Gothic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Gothic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gothic)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/57 "2016-01-14T16:50:49Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Witchiepoo Witchiepoo had the best ride. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/58 "2016-01-14T16:58:47Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > …Dr. Bombay… Nitpick - It’s Dr. Mumbai. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/59 "2016-01-14T17:03:22Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Cousin. > > Thinking out of the box, let’s not forget Witch-ay Woman! Ahhh; Wit CHAY Woman. As long as we’re outside the box, there’s \ _Rhiannon_. I heard somewhere it’s about a Welsh witch. Thinking outside the tent, there’s the Blair Witch, who is quite a bad ass. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097/60 "2016-01-14T17:21:38Z")
Wait, two pages and nobody’s thought about the Original Big Three stirring up their eye of newt and toe of frog? Well, none of you blame me if you find yourself getting stabbed by a C-section baby. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-witches/743097.md?page=4)