The Initiation of Sarah
directed by Robert Day
directed by Robert Day
This 1978 made for television movie was similar to the 1976 movie Carrie, based on the Stephen King novel. It's so close that I wonder why the director and producers even bothered but money talks.
There were a number of talented actors/actresses in this movie, including multiple Academy Award and Emmy winners and then young actors who would go on to roles in iconic films or shows such as Dallas, Airplane, and Mad Men. I don't remember seeing this film but I do remember some of the commercials.
Because this film was made for television the depictions of violence and sex were toned down (although the director apparently couldn't resist a few cleavage and wet t-shirt shots which were risque for the times) while the special effects were meh.
Like Carrie, the movie's theme revolves around the bullying that women and girls inflict upon each other and how a young shy girl with supernatural powers responds.
Two sisters attend the same college. One sister, Patty (Morgan Brittany) is gorgeous, extroverted, shapely, and the life of the party. The other sister, Sarah (Kay Lenz) is somewhat less attractive (not really this is mostly implied by dress, hair, and makeup) introverted, shy, and tends to attract bullies. Both sisters are protective of each other.
Patty intends for both of them to join the sorority Alpha Nu Sigma(ΑΝΣ). Their mother is a member. Sarah points out that she's adopted. But Patty is not a woman who thinks bad things happen to good people. She insists that they both try.
The sorority President, Jennifer (Morgan Fairchild), takes one look at Sarah and "suggests" that Sarah might be happier rushing the sorority Phi Epilson Delta (ɸΈΔ), or as Jennifer calls it the home for "pigs, elephants, and dogs".
Sure enough ΑΝΣ rejects Sarah but accepts Patty. ɸΈΔ, which has fewer members than ΑΝΣ, accepts Sarah. ɸΈΔ is far less popular than ΑΝΣ. The members of ɸΈΔ aren't all ugly but they certainly aren't the knockouts found among ΑΝΣ.
Jennifer reminds them of this every chance she gets. And since Jennifer is in her heart of hearts a vicious bully she extorts Patty into going along. ɸΈΔ's creepy house mother, Mrs. Hunter (Shelley Winters) is intent on getting revenge on ΑΝΣ. She thinks Sarah has some hidden power that will help her do that.
There's some hints that Mrs. Hunter might be Sarah's true mother. Sarah's coming out of her shell. Sarah's started a halting relationship with a teaching assistant, Paul (Tony Bill), a bit of romantic success that makes her the defacto ɸΈΔ leader.
But Jennifer's meanness and Mrs. Hunter's weirdness set off an unfortunate chain of events. Shelley Winters chewed up her scenes like a rabid squirrel chomping bubble gum.
