Maid of Salem

A well-produced picture that wastes no time relating an entertaining version of the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials. Colbert is the Maid, a woman with agency who speaks truth to power with a 20th century directness. Our heroine is always more than watchable and she supported by a notable female cast - Beulah Bondi, Gale Sondergaard, Virginia Weidler and Bonita Granville (the original mean girl) who is the leader of the bewitched.

The Maid of Salem is a historical drama set in the year 1692 in the colony of Massachusetts Bay at the Port of Salem.

Starring Claudette Colbert and Fred Mac Murray. The 2nd out of 7 times they were paired together on screen. With supporting players, Louise Dresser, Beulah Bondi, Bonita Granville, Harvey Stephens, Gale Sondergaard, Sterling Holloway, Donald Meek, Virginia Weidler and Benny Bartlett.

Directed by Frank Lloyd (Mutiny on the Bounty) and filmed on location in California at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura with the coastal shots done at Santa Cruz.

There's something here for everyone, with comedy, drama, and elements of horror in the latter half of the film. With a runtime of 85 minutes that doesn't lag and have you looking at the clock. 

I found the best way to watch Maid of Salem, is without any preconceived notions... This is a Hollywood dramatisation, not a faithful adaptation. Claudette Colbert as a Puritan, needs to be taken with a grain of salt, as is Fred Mac Murrays Irish accent. If you don't get hung up on those things you're in for an enjoyable 85 minutes.

I enjoyed this film so much, I have now watched it twice in the past month. I found the picture and audio on the Blu-ray disc to be very good with no distracting anomalies.  There are English SDH subtitles if needed. And there are no special features.

Highly recommended to first timers and to any Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray fans... You won't be disappointed!