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10 Things You Might Not Know About Poltergeist

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It was just about 33 years ago that the original Poltergeist began its theatrical haunt, crossing over from the other side in June of 1982. Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film was a big time box office success, and it wasn’t long before it was solidified as a genuine piece of pop culture history.

With the remake hitting theaters this weekend, we talk Poltergeist here on iHorror today. So here are ten things you might not know about the original classic!

polt2

1) The idea for Poltergeist came out of a science fiction film that Steven Spielberg was working on back in the late 1970s called Night Skies. The movie, which never got made, was about a family being terrorized by alien creatures, and ideas developed for that project eventually became the basis for Poltergeist.

polt2

2) Though it came equipped with a PG rating, Poltergeist gets highly disturbing in perhaps the most memorable scene, when paranormal investigator Marty literally peels his entire face off. It was of course a dummy head that was used for the scene, and it was none other than Steven Spielberg whose hands ripped the face apart.

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3) Another memorable moment from Poltergeist was the infamous ‘pool scene,’ wherein Diane Freeling is terrorized by a bunch of muddy skeletons. According to both makeup artist Craig Reardon and star JoBeth Williams, those were real skeletons rather than props – though at the time, Williams was sure they were plastic.

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4) At one point in time, Drew Barrymore was considered for the role of Carol Anne Freeling, which ended up being played by the late Heather O’Rourke. Barrymore auditioned for the film and it was on the strength of that audition that Spielberg cast her in E.T. – which was filming right around the same time.

hooper

5) There’s been a lot of talk in regards to who actually directed Poltergeist, with many believing that it was Spielberg who directed the majority of the film – rather than Tobe Hooper (above). According to various sources, Spielberg was on set for the entirety of the shoot, and did more hands-on directing than Hooper – who is credited as the film’s director.

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6) The late Zelda Rubinstein, who played psychic Tangina in the film, claimed that she had actual psychic abilities in real life. One night, she says, she had a vision wherein her dog appeared before her and said goodbye. Just a few hours later, Rubinstein’s mother called her to let her know that her dog had passed away.

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7) Poltergeist was the highest-grossing horror film of 1982, as well as the eighth highest-grossing film released that entire year. Other horror films that hit theaters in 1982 include Creepshow, Friday the 13th Part 3, Halloween 3: Season of the Witch, and John Carpenter’s The Thing.

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8) When Poltergeist was originally released in theaters, Pizza Hut was very upset about a line of dialogue that saw Steven Freeling remark that he hates Pizza Hut. In order to appease the company, the dialogue was crudely cut from the film for all home video releases, resulting in a very noticeable edit around the 34-minute mark.

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9) In the iconic scene where Carol Anne is awoken by the static on the Freeling family’s television, the clock on the TV set reads ‘2:37.’ Many over the years have speculated that this is an homage to The Shining, released two years earlier, which prominently featured that very same number.

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10) Poltergeist was nominated for three Oscars at the 1983 Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Original Score. It was beaten in all three categories by E.T., which was of course directed by Steven Spielberg. Nothing like beating yourself!

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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