The Initiation Of Sarah

    Shy, repressed, and adopted Sarah (Kay Lenz),  goes to college with her beautiful half sister Patti, played by Morgan Brittany.  Patti is immediately accepted into the snobbiest sorority, ran by a wonderfully bitchy Morgan Fairchild.  Sarah is relegated to the more intellectual, misfit sorority with evil house mother Mrs. Hunter (Shelley Winters at her most divine), who takes Sarah under her wing and encourages her to explore and use her telekinetic powers.   After Sarah is humiliated in a hazing prank, she wreaks vengeance on the snobbish sorority, especially Jennifer.

    Gleefully ripping off "Carrie" every minute of the way, 1978's "The Initiation of Sarah" is a campy, over-the-top TV frightfest that has become one of the most famous of all the classic TV movies- famous enough to warrant a remake in 2006.  It's oh-so-watchable...  Aside from above average directing, acting, and cinematography, there is a great, eerie score and a surprisingly racy subplot about repressed lesbianism.  Kay Lenz is sympathetic as misunderstood Sarah, while Morgan Brittany deliciously camps it up as Patti.  Morgan Fairchild is catty perfection as bitchy Jennifer Lawrence and has a field day with her role, and do I really need to say anything about Shelley Winters?  She gobbles up every bit of scenery surrounding her, then spits it all back up again.  

     And of course, like "Carrie", the tension and abuse all come to a rousing and fiery conclusion as Sarah unleashes her telekinetic fury on everyone around her.  I remember this airing alot around Halloween back in the day, and usually on the late show.  This is cheesy 70's fun all the way.  In my eyes, throwing Morgan Fairchild, telekinesis, and Shelley Winters all together in a blender spells F.U.N.  I love this stuff!