Here, we have a tale of two teen Witches. One good, one evil.
The Good Witch is Robin Prentiss, (played by Mary Beth McDonough....whom you may better know as the star of the horror film Mortuary (1983)....also from The Waltons TV series) has just arrived in a small town with her Pops, where both want to start a new life. But doggone if things don't go wrong on her first day of school when the captain of the football team wants to hookup with the new hot chick...who just happens to be the boyfriend of that other Witch.
The Evil Witch is Vivian Sotherland, (played by Melissa Sue Anderson....whom you may better know as the star of the horror film Happy Birthday To Me (1981)....also from Little House On The Prairie TV series) don't cotton to new girls being hotter than she is, and also hates being dumped and replaced before 5th period. So what's an evil hot 80's chick to do? Kill her, that's what.
Decided to rewatch this old, but not bad, made-for-TV horror movie of yesteryear (Think ABC, CBS, NBC movie of the week, if you're old like me). 70's/80's cars, big hair, bell-bottoms, tight gym shorts, telephones with a rotary-dial...you dig. Melissa Sue Anderson's 'evil Witch' easily stole the show since her 'vulgar-display-of-power' was always active in the film. She was always casting some sort of spell that resulted in campy, cheesy special effects. But not to be outdone, Mary Beth McDonough's good Witch also stole a few scenes. She was a natural at freaking-out during supernatural or phenomenon-assaults that came out of nowhere. Being the less powerful Witch, she was only able to repel/deflect these attacks, but not launch one. This forces her to seek the help of an older Witch who convinces her that practice makes perfect.
This movie actually sounds better than it is. But that don't mean you won't enjoy this time-capsule. Old-school and dated as it is, it still fits in snugly alongside other made-for-TV horror flicks such as Satan's School For Girls and The Car....although it definitely wasn't 'Salem's Lot' caliber. The best parts of the movie are the scenes that feature the evil Melissa Sue Anderson. That evil, pouty frown and sneer she keeps on her face throughout the film was all kinds of creepy, cute and classic. Also, she's got this cool, dark Gothy bedroom where she chants to Satan, make potions, cast spells and sends curses to anyone who gets in her way of getting her boyfriend back (most of her curses were sent by remote control fashion from this room, BTW). What more could I ask for in a Witch movie? Except for the black cat and black Raven she had at her disposal.
7/10 from me.
The Good Witch is Robin Prentiss, (played by Mary Beth McDonough....whom you may better know as the star of the horror film Mortuary (1983)....also from The Waltons TV series) has just arrived in a small town with her Pops, where both want to start a new life. But doggone if things don't go wrong on her first day of school when the captain of the football team wants to hookup with the new hot chick...who just happens to be the boyfriend of that other Witch.
The Evil Witch is Vivian Sotherland, (played by Melissa Sue Anderson....whom you may better know as the star of the horror film Happy Birthday To Me (1981)....also from Little House On The Prairie TV series) don't cotton to new girls being hotter than she is, and also hates being dumped and replaced before 5th period. So what's an evil hot 80's chick to do? Kill her, that's what.
Decided to rewatch this old, but not bad, made-for-TV horror movie of yesteryear (Think ABC, CBS, NBC movie of the week, if you're old like me). 70's/80's cars, big hair, bell-bottoms, tight gym shorts, telephones with a rotary-dial...you dig. Melissa Sue Anderson's 'evil Witch' easily stole the show since her 'vulgar-display-of-power' was always active in the film. She was always casting some sort of spell that resulted in campy, cheesy special effects. But not to be outdone, Mary Beth McDonough's good Witch also stole a few scenes. She was a natural at freaking-out during supernatural or phenomenon-assaults that came out of nowhere. Being the less powerful Witch, she was only able to repel/deflect these attacks, but not launch one. This forces her to seek the help of an older Witch who convinces her that practice makes perfect.
This movie actually sounds better than it is. But that don't mean you won't enjoy this time-capsule. Old-school and dated as it is, it still fits in snugly alongside other made-for-TV horror flicks such as Satan's School For Girls and The Car....although it definitely wasn't 'Salem's Lot' caliber. The best parts of the movie are the scenes that feature the evil Melissa Sue Anderson. That evil, pouty frown and sneer she keeps on her face throughout the film was all kinds of creepy, cute and classic. Also, she's got this cool, dark Gothy bedroom where she chants to Satan, make potions, cast spells and sends curses to anyone who gets in her way of getting her boyfriend back (most of her curses were sent by remote control fashion from this room, BTW). What more could I ask for in a Witch movie? Except for the black cat and black Raven she had at her disposal.
7/10 from me.