MovieChat Forums > The Spell (1977) Discussion > A near identical made-for-TV counterpart...

A near identical made-for-TV counterpart - Title needed !

posted 8 years ago by davidemartin
2 replies | jump to latest

Are spoilers really necessary for a 40 year-old film?
Anyway, there were two films made about this time, both with an identical set-up.
In both versions, a suburban mother discovers her rebellious teenage girl has psychic powers that she uses to lash out against anyone who annoys her, often with fatal results.
Mom decides she has to take on her rebellious daughter alone.
In one version, THE SPELL, Mom reveals she has powers too ("Where did you think you got your powers?") and gives daughter a psychic spanking that restores her to civility.
In another version (WHAT THE HECK WAS THE TITLE ????) Mom has no powers and instead decides to kill her daughter and herself.
►Anyone remember the name of the other flick? And no, it's not CARRIE.◄
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[–] MystMoonstruck 8 years ago

Midnight Offerings (1981 TV movie)
starring Melissa Sue Anderson of "Little House on the Prairie" as the bad witch who bests her mother who later sets things right; and Mary Beth McDonough of "The Waltons"

From IMDb review: I saw this when it first came out, probably because I had a big crush on Mary McDonough (that hasn't changed). I was amazed how many of the lines I remembered, particularly in the classic kitchen confrontation between Vivien and her mother (a superb Cathryn Damon). Seeing it again, I was startled 40 minutes into it to realize that there were virtually no special effects at all. Everything was done by suggestion, and by showing Vivien's malice and its effects on others. It took itself completely seriously -- no effort to be hip, no constant pop culture references, no embarrassment at being a witch movie -- and that is the ONLY way to do a good scary movie. A lot of people have mentioned Melissa Sue Anderson's portrayal of Vivien, and she was great, but I think some people miss how perfect Mary McDonough was as Robin. Her beauty has a kind of introspective, far-away quality that perfectly suits the shy new girl in school, who is nonetheless hiding a troubling secret.

(W)hat are we without our dreams?
Making sure our fantasies
Do not overpower our realities. ~ RC

[–] alleycat-10365 7 years ago

Maybe 'The Initiation of Sara.' That also came out in the '70s around that time. Except it was a sorority house mother and sorority sister, not mother and daughter.