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Poltergeist In 1982, Director Tobe Hooper created a masterpiece of terror. Using the screenplay by Steven Spielsberg, Mr. Hooper brought forth a truly haunting production that took the nation by storm. Poltergeist is the story of the Freeling family and their haunted house. A house that was built on an old cemetary where the bodies have not been exhumed. What begins as small displays of paranormal activity becomes a frightening nightmare when a specific ghost kidnaps their youngest child Carol-Ann. Vowing to get her back, the parents (played by Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams) turn to a team of scientists that have specialized in the paranormal. They setup a small lab in the house to test it. Needless to say by the end of their encounter there is no doubt. The Freeling house is possessed. Carol-Ann can be heard coming from the T.V. set when it's tuned into a channel that has no station receiving. A renowned psychic, Tangina (played by Zelda Rubinstein) comes to exorcise the house. Through her powers of telekenisis she hones in a powerful spirit that has not been able to cross over to the other side. Being a leader in life, he has many spirits that are lost with him. He needs Carol-Ann's life force to conclude his journey. Will the Freeling's get their little girl back? First time viewers are dared to watch Poltergeist at night, with the lights off and a clown doll on a chair nearby!!!
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Poltergeist II: The Other Side This sequel suffered a bit in comparison to the original film. It's clear that Spielsberg had nothing to do with it. But as sequels go, Poltergeist II is one of the best in the horror genre. Most of the original cast have come back to do battle with the evil spirit that still wants Carol-Ann. After the Freeling's house goes missing they hold up at Diane's mother's house. After staying with her awhile she passes away. Tangina comes to visit the Freelings and to give them a back story on their old property. During the 19th century there was a radical preacher who told his congregation that the world was going to end so they all entombed themselves alive. Right under where the Freeling's pool was going to be. The preacher's name was Kane (played by the late Julian Beck). During the film we are terrorized by another exhibit of state of the art effects by Industrial Light & Magic. When Kane manifests himself and visits the Freelings they are warned of their danger and asks to come inside. When he is refused he turns violent, the showdown begins. The Freeling's will need the help of the spiritually vibrant Indian (played by Canadian Native Will Sampson) to defeat the spirit of Kane. The final confrontation will take place in the void where spirits have strayed....oblivion, the other side. Will they defeat Kane once and for all? Or will the spirit forever be in pursuit of the young Carol-Ann. |
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Poltergeist III Poltergeist III was a slight upset, but considering the bad luck that the production encountered I am surprised that there was a thrid Poltergeist at all. The only characters from the first and second film that made it to this sequel are Carol-Ann and Tangina. Carol-Ann has been sent by her parents to live with her uncle (played by Tom Skerritt) in the big city. He is the owner of a new high rise that is the setting for this new spookster film. Bizarre happenings begin to occur to certain people in the building as the evil Kane has followed Carol-Ann's life force once again. It seems his spirit lives on after all, and his need to get to the other side has grown. Tragically, Heather O'Rourke who plays the cute little Carol-Ann was misdiagnosed and consequently died from an undetected bowl obstruction. She died before the end of the film was shot, changing the climax from 17 to only 5 pages long. The script was crippled but the producers wanted a film. The original plan was to scrap the whole thing. I'm sure most people who spent their cash on the film would have agreed with the latter idea but I'm still waiting for part 4!!! |
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