Since its debut in 1982, “Poltergeist” has stood out as one of the most iconic films in the horror and suspense genre. Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film captivated audiences worldwide with its chilling plot and groundbreaking visual effects for its time. Behind the eerie scenes and gripping storyline, “Poltergeist” holds a series of fascinating curiosities that shed light on its production, the challenges faced by the actors and technical crew, and even some urban legends surrounding the making of this cinema classic.

In this exploration of behind-the-scenes trivia, we delve into the dark and intriguing world of “Poltergeist,” unraveling the mysteries and secrets that continue to captivate and haunt fans to this day.

1 – JEALOUS BOYFRIEND´S RAGE LEADS TO ACTRESS´S DEATH

Let’s delve into two poignant tragedies involving individuals connected to the film. The first of these is the death of Dominique Dunne, the young actress who portrayed Dana, the eldest daughter of the Freeling family. In November 1982, at the age of 22, Dominique fell victim to strangulation at the hands of her boyfriend, John Sweeney, a kitchen assistant employed at the renowned Ma Maison restaurant in West Hollywood. Sweeney, consumed by overwhelming jealousy, especially following the success of the film, became violent during an argument, prompting Dominique to decide to end the relationship.

However, Sweeney refused to accept the breakup and invaded her residence, culminating in the tragic outcome. Despite being sentenced to six years in prison, Sweeney served only three before being released.
To muffle Dominique Dunne’s screams, her assailant turned up the volume of the Poltergeist soundtrack, which consists of several children singing, as loud as possible.

2 – A DEATH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH A SIMPLE SURGERY

The second tragic loss pertains to Heather O’Rourke, the actress who brought the beloved Carol Anne to life in all three films of the franchise. In 1987, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a gastrointestinal condition affecting the ileum and colon. Potent medications were prescribed for treatment, resulting in noticeable facial swelling, particularly evident in the third film of the series.

In February 1988, at just 12 years old, Heather suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away hours later in the hospital. Heather’s family filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging that the initial diagnosis was incorrect – she was actually suffering from an intestinal blockage. If the blockage had been identified from the outset, a surgery could have saved her life.

3 – GHOSTLY APPARITION IN REAL PHOTO

Beyond the two tragedies, peculiar events involving other members of the film crew occurred. Zelda Rubinstein, the actress who portrayed the medium Tangina Barrons in all three films of the series, recounted a unique incident during a promotional photoshoot for “Poltergeist III.” According to her, a strange mist appeared in one of the photos, and later she revealed that the image was captured at the exact moment her mother passed away.

4 – ACTOR NEARLY DIED DURING FILMING

One of the most terrifying scenes in the original film features the middle child of the family being strangled by a clown doll. It was later revealed that during the filming of the scene, an unexpected incident occurred: Oliver actually began to choke. The production team almost didn’t realize that it was a real situation, given that the scene in question precisely depicted a choking. By a hair’s breadth, Oliver narrowly escaped death.

5 – A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR THE FILM BEING CONSIDERED CURSED

One possible explanation for the curses that haunted this film series suggests that the producers opted to use real human skeletons instead of fake plastic ones to reduce production costs. It is speculated that the spirits of the individuals to whom these bones belonged may have been responsible for the tragedies and bizarre events that affected those associated with the film. However, neither Tobe Hooper nor Steven Spielberg have ever publicly addressed this issue.

6 – DEATHS CONTINUED INTO THE SECOND FILM

During the filming of “Poltergeist II,” actor Julian Beck, who portrayed the role of Reverend Henry, passed away due to cancer.

7 – THE INDIAN FROM THE SECOND FILM

A year after filming, actor Will Sampson, known for playing a Native American who aided the family in the second film, passed away due to complications related to a heart transplant and a serious malnutrition condition.

8 – CROOKED PICTURES

Actress JoBeth Williams, who portrayed the mother of the family in the film, shared a rather peculiar experience. One day, upon returning home, she noticed that all the pictures in her decor were tilted. After straightening them out, she went about her work routine. However, upon returning home, she found the pictures out of place again. This phenomenon repeated several times, leading her to conclude that there was no explanation for it other than possible supernatural interference since there was no one else who could have moved the pictures.

9 – EARTHQUAKE DESTROYED REAL-LIFE HOUSE

In the story of “Poltergeist,” the Freeling family moves into a new home, which appears to be under a curse. Interestingly, the house where the filming took place was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake years after the film’s production.

10 – SHIRLEY MACLAINE

The renowned actress couldn’t participate in “Poltergeist” (1982) due to scheduling conflicts, opting instead to star alongside Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito in “Terms of Endearment,” released in 1983. However, the only version publicly disclosed for her refusal of the role in the film is her fear of opening portals to other dimensions.

As we delve into the depths of the trivia surrounding the 1982 film “Poltergeist,” a truth emerges: its aura of mystery and fascination transcends the screens. From the tragedies that befell some of its cast and crew members to the inexplicable events that seem to echo the supernatural narratives of the film itself, “Poltergeist” continues to intrigue and captivate audiences decades after its release. The combination of cinematic talent, chilling plot, and a series of unexplained occurrences leads us to question the boundaries between the real world and the beyond. Thus, “Poltergeist” remains not only a classic of horror cinema but also a phenomenon that challenges our understanding and invites us to explore the mysteries that permeate life and death.