Love At Stake

Since I'm on an SCTV kick this week, I thought I'd take a look back at a sadly forgotten spoof featuring Dave Thomas. It's 1987's Love At Stake.

This parody of the Salem witch trials stars Patrick Cassidy, brother of Shaun and David, as Miles Campbell, a recent graduate who moves back to Salem to become a parson's assistant. He reconnects with childhood sweetheart Sara Lee, Kelly Preston, who is now the town baker. Across town, an evil Judge, Stuart Pankin, and the Mayor, Thomas, are making plans to open a mall in their small town, but are unable to get the real estate they need. The two come up with a plan to accuse some of the townsfolk of witchcraft. That way, they can burn them at the stake and acquire their land. As they proceed with their plan, a real witch named Faith, Barbara Carrera, arrives to visit family for Thanksgiving. She quickly has designs on Miles and accuses Sara of being a witch. It's up to Miles to save Sara from being burnt alive.

This is one of those I saw at the video store and didn't know anything about. Since Thomas starred in it I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did because it is a riot. The whole cast is great, especally Thomas as the bumbling Mayor, and Bud Cort as the blind parson.

It was cowritten by SNL alum Terry Sweeny, and to my knowedge is the only spoof to tackle the Salem witch trials.

I'm surprised it hasn't developed a cult following. I know you've probably never heard of it, but it is a really funny flick that you should check out.

It's available on dvd.