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      Love at Stake

      R Released Apr 4, 1988 1h 28m Comedy List
      Reviews 36% 500+ Ratings Audience Score In the town of Salem, Mass., recently arrived Miles Campbell (Patrick Cassidy) goes to work for Parson Babcock (Bud Cort), whose mother is paranoid about the existence of witches. Meanwhile, the corrupt local judge and mayor conspire to steal land in the area by accusing certain townspeople of witchcraft. The plan works, and although Miles is closely involved with those fanning the flames of hysteria, he begins to doubt the witchcraft claims when his beloved Sara (Kelly Preston) is accused. Read More Read Less Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

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      Love at Stake

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member This movie is hysterical. Those knocking it must have had their expectations too high. This is meant to be a silly farce from go and it succeeded excellently. It is too bad many people overlook it. Like I said, turn your brain off and just go with it for some laughs, really goofy/silly laughs! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/30/18 Full Review Audience Member Eighties style slapstick. I have seen much better movies use this cheesy form of film making. With that said Love At Stake did have some funny scenes. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member I fail to see the humor in all this. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Humor highly reminicient of the style in Airplane!, except this time were are transported to 1692 Salem, Massachusetts in a Puritan village of witch burners. The title Love at Stake, like burn at the stake, is full of one liners, sight gags and great references to the history of the time. From the minds behind "Saturday Night Live" and "MadTV!" comes a tale of Sorcery in Salem! Young baker Sara Lee (yes, none other than the bakery company) is overjoyed that her childhood sweetheart Miles (Cassidy) has returned to be the new assistant at Salem's church. But all is not well in fair Salem; the mayor (Dave Thomas) and the judge (Stuart Pankin) have come up with an outrageous scheme to dupe the townsfolk out of their land, by accusing innocent people of witchcraft. One highlight of the film is the Thanksgiving Day dinner with all invited ("even indians" says their sign). The indians and puritans all have name tags like some sort of convention. Also, a real witch goes around creating hilarious mischief throuout the film. The village sheriff sounds and tries to act like the great deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) of television's sixties sitcom Mayberry. Numerous trials to find witches with a defense lawyer who can't win a case. A must see for American history buffs or anyone in the least familiar with the strict religious sect called the puritans, New England was turning over in its grave when this got released. I can risk recommending this, but the reviews of fellow RTers vastly varies. Funny bordering at times on hilarious. Ends with credits and the Elvis hit Burning Love (Hunka Hunk of Burnin' Love). Cast Patrick Cassidy (childhood sweetheart of Sara Lee) Kelly Preston (as Sara Lee, real life wife of John Travolta) Bud Cort (the made blind minister by a witch in this one, Cort got fame with the now cult film: Harold and Maude) Barbara Carrera David Graf Anne Ramsey Stuart Pankin Dave Thomas Crew Executive Producer: John Daly Composer: Charles Fox Executive Producer: Derek Gibson Editor: Danford B. Greene Producer: Michael Gruskoff Cinematographer: Mark Irwin Screenplay: Lanier Laney Director: John Moffitt Screenplay: Terry Sweeney Production Designer: Roy Forge Smith Co-Producer : Armand Speca Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Borderline moronic comedy with many sight gags and puns that fall flat. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Best comedy of my childhood love it!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Love at Stake

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      Critics Reviews

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      David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a hopelessly frivolous waste of time. Rated: 1.5/4 Dec 7, 2005 Full Review Scott Weinberg DVDTalk.com Might wring a few chuckles out of you, but certainly not much more than a few. Rated: 2.5/5 Nov 20, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In the town of Salem, Mass., recently arrived Miles Campbell (Patrick Cassidy) goes to work for Parson Babcock (Bud Cort), whose mother is paranoid about the existence of witches. Meanwhile, the corrupt local judge and mayor conspire to steal land in the area by accusing certain townspeople of witchcraft. The plan works, and although Miles is closely involved with those fanning the flames of hysteria, he begins to doubt the witchcraft claims when his beloved Sara (Kelly Preston) is accused.
      Director
      John Moffitt
      Producer
      John Daly, Derek Gibson
      Production Co
      TriStar Pictures
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Apr 4, 1988, Original
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Dec 11, 2018
      Runtime
      1h 28m
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