An entertaining cross between Porky’s and Carrie which stars Scott Baio, alias Chachi from Happy Days, as Barney, a nerdy high-school senior who gets zapped in a chem-lab explosion, and finds he has the power to move objects by thought alone.
Cue lots of teen high jinks, such as telekinetically divesting the busty local girls of their blouses, and taking control of the ball during a school baseball game.
There are further tips of the hat to De Palma’s seminal 1976 shocker, Carrie, only this is much more madcap and surprisingly amusing.
The film features Robert Mandan, Scatman Crothers, Sue Ane Langdon and an up and coming Heather Thomas.
The 1989 sequel, Zapped Again! had a new kid in town (Todd Eric Andrews) inheriting the zap powers. Also appearing were Linda Blair, Karen Black (in a small role), Sue Anne Langdon (returning from the original) and Lyle Alzado.
How bad was it? Scriptwriter Bruce Rubin had his name removed to try and avoid any further embarrassment.
It probably all seems a bit sexual assault-y to modern audiences.
Barney Springboro
Scott Baio Peyton Nichols
Willie Aames Walter
Robert Mandan Bernadette
Felice Schachter Dexter Jones
Scatman Crothers Mr Springboro
Roger Bowen Mrs Springboro
Marya Small Robert Wolcott
Greg Bradford Corrine Updike
Hilary Beane Rose Burnhart
Sue Ane Langdon Jane Mitchell
Heather Thomas Roscoe Brown
Hardy Keith Art
Curt Ayers Cary Cooter
Merritt Butrick Melissa Granger
Jennifer Chaplin ‘Too Mean’ Levine
Irwin Keyes Larry
Ron Deutsch Sheldon
Eddie Deezen Father Murray
Bryan O’Byrne Father Gallagher
Ed Bakey Albert Einstein
Jan Leighton Mrs Jones
LaWanda Page Donna
Rosanne Katon Amy
Sandy Serrano Debby
Susan Ursitti Cindy
Corine Borher
Director
Robert J Rosenthal
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