Do you remember that movie that made you hide under the covers as a kid? The one that had everyone talking about curses and unexplained events? Yes, we’re talking about Poltergeist, the iconic horror film from the 80s. A true classic that combined supernatural elements with spine-chilling scares. Whether you watched it in theaters or caught it later on TV, this movie left a lasting impression. Today, let’s take a walk down memory lane with some fascinating facts about this legendary film. Get ready for some surprises, even if you think you know it all!
25 Haunting Facts About Poltergeist
Poltergeist, the supernatural horror classic from the 80s, holds a special place in the annals of terrifying cinema. Since its release in 1982, it has not only scared audiences but also fueled numerous legends about its so-called “curse.” As Halloween approaches, let’s revisit the mystery and legend behind Poltergeist with these 25 spooky facts!
1. It Started as a Close Encounters Sequel
Steven Spielberg, fresh off the success of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, initially conceived Poltergeist as a sequel to Close Encounters titled Night Skies. The original plot revolved around a family attacked by aliens.
2. The Haunted House Idea Came From Tobe Hooper
Director Tobe Hooper, best known for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, was initially hesitant to direct a sci-fi movie. He proposed transforming the script into a haunted house story, giving birth to the version of Poltergeist we know today.
3. How Poltergeist and E.T. Came From One Script
The original Night Skies script eventually split into two projects: Poltergeist and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Spielberg, inspired by a subplot involving a friendly alien bonding with a young boy, reworked it into the heartwarming tale of E.T., leaving the horror aspects to Poltergeist.
4. Stephen King Was Almost Involved
Spielberg wanted Stephen King, the master of horror fiction, to co-write the script. However, King was on an overseas trip, and communication issues meant he never got the offer in time. As a result, King’s involvement never materialized.
5. Spielberg’s Last Screenwriting Gig Until 2001
After co-writing Poltergeist, Spielberg took a long break from screenwriting. He didn’t return to penning scripts until 2001, with A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, a project that was initially a vision of his friend, the late Stanley Kubrick.
6. Spielberg’s Childhood Fears Fueled the Movie
The creepy clown and the sinister tree in the movie were not random props—they were based on Spielberg’s childhood fears. A knotted tree outside his childhood bedroom window and his coulrophobia (fear of clowns) inspired these terrifying elements.
7. Drew Barrymore Auditioned for Carol Anne
Young Drew Barrymore auditioned for the role of Carol Anne, but Spielberg felt she wasn’t the right fit for the angelic character. However, her audition earned her the role of Gertie in E.T., making her a household name.
8. Heather O’Rourke’s Serendipitous Casting
Spielberg discovered Heather O’Rourke, the actress who played Carol Anne, by chance while having lunch at the MGM commissary. Her angelic look and familiarity with the entertainment world won her the role.
9. Almost Lost the Part for Laughing
During her screen test, Heather O’Rourke struggled to stop smiling and laughing. However, she secured the role after impressing Spielberg and the crew with her ability to scream on command during a second test.
10. Dominique Dunne Was Almost as Old as Her On-Screen Parents
Dominique Dunne, who played teenage daughter Dana Freeling, was 22 during filming, just 11 years younger than her on-screen mother, JoBeth Williams, making their age difference unusually small.
11. JoBeth Williams’ Real-Life Paranormal Experiences
While filming Poltergeist, JoBeth Williams stayed in a rented house near the set. She claimed that the pictures on the wall would be crooked every time she returned home, even after she had straightened them.
12. A Real House for a Real Horror
The Freeling house featured in the movie is a real residence in Agoura Hills, Los Angeles County, and still stands today. It has become a popular destination for fans of the film.
13. Oliver Robins’ Near-Strangulation by the Clown
The scene where the creepy clown doll strangles young Robbie wasn’t entirely fake. Actor Oliver Robins was nearly choked for real when the mechanical arms tightened around his neck, and his cries of “I can’t breathe” were initially mistaken for acting.
14. Real Skeletons Were Used in the Pool Scene
For the infamous swimming pool scene, the skeletons were not props; they were real human remains. Using real skeletons was common in filmmaking because they were cheaper to obtain than manufacturing fake ones.
15. Spielberg’s Hands in the Mirror
In the gruesome scene where Marty rips his face off in the bathroom mirror, the hands tearing at the skull are actually Steven Spielberg’s. This was a clever cameo and a touch of realism in an already haunting scene.
16. Actor’s Supermarket Endorsement Backlash
James Karen, who played the unscrupulous property developer, was known for his work in Pathmark supermarket commercials. After Poltergeist was released, some viewers were so disturbed by his character’s actions that they boycotted Pathmark.
17. Spielberg’s Influence on Directing Rumors
There’s long been speculation about whether Spielberg directed Poltergeist instead of Tobe Hooper. Spielberg himself was highly involved in the production, leading to claims that he overshadowed Hooper’s direction.
18. Spielberg Defended Hooper’s Role
Both Spielberg and Hooper denied that Spielberg directed the movie. In an open letter to Hooper, Spielberg clarified that they had a unique collaborative relationship.
19. Poltergeist’s PG Rating Controversy
Despite its terrifying content, Poltergeist was released with a PG rating after Spielberg successfully argued against an R rating. The film’s intensity contributed to the later creation of the PG-13 rating.
20. A Box Office Success
Poltergeist performed admirably at the box office, earning nearly $122 million worldwide on an $11 million budget. Its success solidified its place as a horror classic.
21. Three Oscar Nominations
The film received three Oscar nominations: Best Original Score, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Visual Effects. However, it lost in all categories to Spielberg’s other 1982 film, E.T.
22. Dominique Dunne’s Tragic Death
The “Poltergeist Curse” narrative began with the murder of Dominique Dunne shortly after the movie’s release. She was strangled by her ex-boyfriend and died weeks before her 23rd birthday.
23. Two Sequels Followed
Poltergeist spawned two sequels in 1986 and 1988. Unfortunately, the “curse” legend persisted with the deaths of actors Julian Beck and Will Sampson, both of whom passed away from pre-existing conditions.
24. Heather O’Rourke’s Untimely Death
The curse theory was further solidified when Heather O’Rourke died at just 12 years old in 1988. Her death, due to intestinal problems, was a devastating blow to fans and cast alike.
25. A Remake and a Potential Reboot
The franchise lay dormant for nearly 30 years until a 2015 remake, produced by Sam Raimi, hit theaters to a lukewarm reception. In 2019, plans for another reboot by the Russo Brothers were announced, but its current status remains uncertain.
From eerie behind-the-scenes tales to tragic real-life events, the story of Poltergeist continues to haunt fans decades later. Its legacy is forever intertwined with its terrifying content, strange occurrences, and the legend of its “curse.”
Conclusion
The legacy of Poltergeist remains etched in the annals of horror cinema, not just for its groundbreaking supernatural elements but also for the chilling stories behind its making. With scenes that played on childhood fears, such as clowns and eerie television static, the movie left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. Beyond the screen, tales of real-life tragedies and supposed curses have only deepened the film’s mystique. Poltergeist serves as a reminder of how horror can blur the lines between fiction and reality, creating a lasting impact on both cinema and popular culture.
