Dec 22, 2015 the poltergeist curse began with skeletons. Each recounts an episode in the lives of the freelings, a fictitious family who have the bad luck to take up residence in. The film focuses on the freelings, a middleclass family led by a. Still from poltergeist 1982 poltergeist the film s iconic lead, orourke, died at age 12, less than a year after the release of poltergeist iii, after what doctors thought were. Poltergeist 1982 was directed by tobe hooper and written by steven spielberg. It was not unexpected as the cancer had been diagnosed in. The poltergeist movie franchise started way back in 1982 and the first movie is still considered a classic. The horror franchiselaunched in 1982birthed two sequels in 1986 and 1988. Everybody has heard of the supposed curse of the original poltergeist franchise that began thirtythree years ago in 1982. Nelson, heather orourke, and beatrice straight and is produced by spielberg alongside frank marshall. Poltergeist 1982, poltergeist ii 1986, and poltergeist iii 1988. Nov 14, 2016 the poltergeist movie franchise started way back in 1982 and the first movie is still considered a classic. Poltergeist curse true story popsugar entertainment uk. Cursed movies poltergeist of all the films in this list, poltergeist makes the freakiest case for cursed movie sets.
Dominique dunn who played the older sister in the first poltergeist movie was murdered by her exlover shortly after the films release and no it wasnt on set. Oct 07, 2017 why the set of poltergeist was truly cursed grunge. May 22, 2015 poltergeist actor oliver robins who played son robbie in the 1982 original said the eerie deaths of his costars were not a curse, but just tragic coincidences. Jan 15, 2019 heathers mother and gary sherman talking about the beginning of her actress career and the day of her passing. And about the curse that is said to follow the series past, all just tragedies and coincidence.
Investigating the poltergeist movie curse ufo digest. Jun 19, 2015 poltergeist movie curse the untold story. Actress dominique young, who made her debut in poltergeist as the elder sister of carol anne, was strangled to death by her former boyfriend, john thomas sweeney, in the wake of an argument between the two. Poltergeist actor oliver robins who played son robbie in the 1982 original said the eerie deaths of his costars were not a curse, but just tragic coincidences. Well the little girl died of insestinal problems, most know that, but did you know the eldest daughter was strangled by her boy friend. Then the girl fell ill exactly on super bowl sunday 1988 in san diego. Alternate versions the 1997, 1999 mgm, and 2000 warner dvds of poltergeist feature an entirely different end credits sequence. Cursed movies poltergeist creepy tales from cursed. The movie revolves around a suburban family who move into a new home and begin to notice strange.
Why the set of poltergeist was truly cursed youtube. In 1982, 22yearold dominique dunne was murdered by her boyfriend shortly after the release of the. Poltergeist is an american 1982 horror film, directed by tobe hooper, produced by steven spielberg, and released by metrogoldwynmayer on june 4, 1982. Each recounts an episode in the lives of the freelings, a fictitious family who have the bad luck to take up residence in homes inhabited by spirits intent upon kidnapping their children or sending their kids to live in similar places. The poltergeist poltergiest movie curse was there a.
The film follows the freeling family, who are assaulted by a collection of nasty spirits disturbed by their home because it was built on an old cemetery. While its not the first movie in history to be followed by such rumors, the poltergeist curse carries more weight. Poltergeist was released in june 1982, and in november of that year, 22yearold dominique dunne, who played dana the familys older daughter, was murdered. The tag line theyre here, uttered by the angelic carole anne heather orourke became a popular catchphrase in american culture. Poltergeist 1982 why it is the most cursed movie of all. While no horrific accidents occurred on the set of the new film that we know of, anyway, there are plenty of rumors of a curse on the original film trilogys cast. It is true that there are at least four deaths associated with poltergeist i, poltergeist ii the other side and poltergeist iii, but its important to see how did they occured. It was not unexpected as the cancer had been diagnosed in early 1984. It is the first and most successful of the poltergeist film trilogy, and was nominated for three academy awards. The set of poltergeist is inarguably one of the most notoriously bizarre hollywood film productions of all time, widely considered to have been cursed primarily because of what happened to so many of its stars after the movie hit theaters. The deaths of two of the young actresses who played sisters in poltergeist is the event people point to when claiming evidence of a curse. The poltergeist films curse started after a string of untimely deaths that plagued the stars of poltergeist and the weird incidents. Hollywoods poltergeist curse after four film stars died mysteriously including 80s child star heather orourke.
The curse of poltergeist will be told through the eyes of stillliving actor oliver robins. In fact, its often called the most cursed film set of all time because of what happened to so many of its stars after the movie hit theaters. Tobe hooper and steven spielbergs 1982 film poltergeist is a. The poltergeist curse is a rumored curse attached to the poltergeist trilogy and its crew, derived from the deaths of two young cast members in the six years between the releases of the first and third films. He played the young son robbie freeling in the first two movies. Apr 09, 2020 we speak with cursed films documentarian jay cheel about getting to the truth behind the grim poltergeist curse legend. And as a paranormal pop culture researcher, the fact real skeletons were used in the finales swimming pool scene makes the notion of a curse all the more compelling. Released in 1982, the original poltergeist, directed by tobe hooper and produced by spielberg, was an instant success and is considered to be a. The original poltergeist was first released in 1982 and quickly became a classic horror movie about a family plagued by spiteful ghosts. But, alas, the poltergeist remake seems terribly generic and non creative. It took the tragic deaths of four of its prominent cast members for the poltergeist curse to really take off. The rumor and the surrounding deaths were explored in a 2002 episode of e. The poltergeist curse is a rumored curse attached to the. These events all together make a very distinct argument that the poltergeist films curse exists.
The three original poltergeist movies were released in 1982, 1986 and 1988, respectively. Horror movies are often connected with frightening circumstances, but the poltergeist movie curse actually ties into its story. Once you take a close look at the events surrounding the movie, it also becomes a textbook example of why the idea of curses is silly. A dream home becomes the house from hell as evil spirits rise up to possess the soul of an innocent child. Dominique dunne, who starred in the original poltergeist as dana, is strangled to death by her exboyfriend on november 4, 1982 exactly five months to the day after the first movie premiered. Poltergeist curse began the same year the first movie was released. Oct 31, 2019 poltergeist movie curse true story the poltergeist curse. Poltergeist 1982 the rumors about the curse of the poltergeist film began after the crew used real skeletons to film a one of the movies. While no horrific accidents occurred on the set of the new film that we know of, anyway, the release reminded us of the rumors of a curse on the. The idea that the casts of the several movies in the series were in some way cursed is a superstition based on the fact that four of the cast members from the movies died in a relatively short span of the films release, two of them dying at a young age 12 and 22. Information sources include reuters and movie news sites, including and. Oct 31, 2017 were real skeletons used in the making of poltergeist. Poltergeist 1982 why it is the most cursed movie of all time. After watching only a few minutes of the movie we were hooked.
Poltergeist was one of the most storied productions in hollywood history. The urban legend revolves around the tragic deaths of four cast members who died during the six years between the first and third films 1982 1988. Poltergeist was released in june 1982, and in november of that year, 22yearold dominique dunne, who played dana the. Heather orourkes mysterious death in 1988 led many to believe of a curse surrounding the blockbuster film poltergeist 4 heather starred in the film will sampson, who portrayed a. Oct 23, 2019 a reboot of the classic 1982 horror film poltergeist came out in 2015, but lets be honest.
The poltergeist curse is a rumor that a supposed curse iswas attached to the poltergeist motion picture series and its stars. The poltergeist curse the poltergeist curse is a rumored curse attached to the poltergeist trilogy and its crew, derived from the fact that four cast members died in the six years between the releases of the first and third films. In fact, its often called the most cursed film set of all time because of what happened to so many of its stars after the. The rumor is often fueled by the fact that real skeletons were used as props in various scenes of poltergeist and poltergeist ii.
Photo by metrogoldwynmayergetty images the legend of the socalled poltergeist curse began the same year the first movie was released. Nelson holds oliver robins in a scene from the film poltergeist, 1982. Possibly one of the more creepy movie urban legends comes from the poltergeist trilogy of films. Hollywoods poltergeist curse after four film stars died. He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison, but was paroled after serving three and a half years. Sissy spacek, piper laurie, amy irving poltergeist ii. Will was also known as the tall mute indian in one flew over the cuckoos nest 1988. As a child of the 80s, the socalled poltergeist curse looms largest in my memory amongst films supposedly plagued by supernaturally bad luck.
While no horrific accidents occurred on the set of the new film. The curse of the poltergeist movies theyre heeeeeere. Poltergeist 1982 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Is the new movie in danger of getting the infamous curse. Heather orourkes death is the main reason why the poltergeist trilogy is. Poltergeist curse continues to haunt people in real life complex.
The line comes from stephen speilbergs 1982 horror film poltergeist, a movie about a family who move into a new home. The credits begin roughly 15 seconds earlier, over the tracking shot of the holiday inn, and the sequence in which they appear is different entirely, including some rearranging on the cast list, and martin casellas name being changed to marty casella. The poltergeist curse has become as just iconic as the 1982 horror movie itself since the movies release over three decades ago, five cast members from the trilogy passed away. Poltergeist creepy tales from cursed movies pictures. The spielbergproduced horror flick spawned two sequels, a reboot, and countless bad dreams, but according to some, the use of dozens of real human skeletons as props in the movie bred a deadly curse that continues to this day. Its a catchphrase we all know and love, and still use today in pop culture. Mar 18, 2020 in 1982, the movie poltergeist written by steven spielberg and coproduced by spielberg and tobe hooper, opened in theaters captivating audiences all over the world. Heres the true story behind the classic 1982 horror movie. Others talk about mass deaths on set due to the use of real human bones in maling the films. The urban legend revolves around the tragic deaths of four cast members who died during the six years between the first and third films 19821988. Steven spielbergs 1982 movie terrified a entire generation, but very few know about the real story behind the movie or the curse that has followed the actors and crew who made this horror classic.
This rumor was often fueled by the fact that real skeletons were used as props during certain scenes in the first two poltergeist films. Lots of movies, particularly horror flicks, are said to be cursed the exorcist, the. Dominique dunne, who made her film debut in poltergeist as the elder sister of carol anne, died a. Were real skeletons used in the making of poltergeist. Poltergeist is a 1982 american supernatural horror film directed by tobe hooper and written by producer steven spielberg, michael grais and mark victor from a screen story by spielberg. In actuality, only 4 of the actors died, two died unexpectedly, while the other two. We take a look at the poltergeist curse and reveal all of the suspect deaths. The film follows the freeling family, who are assaulted by a collection. According to police reports, on the night before halloween 1982, the chef carved a. Still, this film s curse is tame compared to those of the rest on this list.
Mar, 2020 cursed movies for friday the th, from poltergeist to the crow photos. Nelson, heather orourke, and beatrice straight and is. In most versions of the urban legend, all the cast members died while in others only four deaths are supposedly connected to the curse. Poltergeist curse poltergeist 1982 discussion moviechat.
What no one saw coming was a legacy of tragedy and strange. The poltergeist curse derived from the deaths of four cast members in the six years between the releases of the first and third films. Jun 25, 2019 released in 1982, the original poltergeist, directed by tobe hooper and produced by spielberg, was an instant success and is considered to be a masterpiece of american horror cinema. Julian beck who played the bad spirit in poltergeist ii, died of stomach cancer. Poltergeist 1982 why it is the most cursed movie of. The two deaths that seem to give the curse the most traction are those of stars dominique dunne and heather orourke. The poltergeist film series is cursed and has seen several strange. Poltergeist movie curse true story popsugar entertainment. Poltergeist was released in june 1982, and in november of that year, 22yearold dominique dunne, who played dana the familys. Jan 31, 2019 the legend of the socalled poltergeist curse began the same year the first movie was released.
Lots of movies, particularly horror flicks, are said. Dominique dunn who played the older sister in the first poltergeist movie was murdered by her exlover shortly after the film s release and no it wasnt on set. The poltergeist trilogy curse, also commonly known as the poltergeist curse, is a curse that is supposedly linked to the sparanormal horror film series poltergeist. Unless im being fooled somwhere that is just creepy. Dominique dunne, who played the eldest daughter dana in the first film, died on november 4, 1982, at age 22 after being strangled by her exboyfriend john thomas sweeney.
The curse of the poltergeist movies tales of the occult. For fans of the classic 1982 film poltergeist, the premise is all too familiar after rumors about the haunted set and the series curse spread in. The poltergeist poltergiest movie curse was there a curse. Just watched this again, and thought, why havent i researched this movie, its off the charts scary and effects like ive still never seen. Will sampson who played the good spirit in poltergeist ii, died after receiving a heartlung transplant. Shortly after the release of the first film in 1982, the actress who played older. In the movie there is a poster above the brothers bed for the 1988 super bowl. All three films in the franchise are marked by premature death. The shocking history of the poltergeist curse the th floor. What caused poltergeist trilogy curse in 1982, the movie poltergeist written by steven spielberg and coproduced by spielberg and tobe hooper. May 22, 2015 the original poltergeist was first released in 1982 and quickly became a classic horror movie about a family plagued by spiteful ghosts. Steven spielberg wrote, and tobe hooper directed the original poltergeist 1982. Oct 08, 2015 the curse of poltergeist will track the death of cast members through the eyes of oliver robins, who played the young boy in the 1982 horror classic.
Carrie white, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom. A reboot of the classic 1982 horror film poltergeist came out in 2015, but lets be honest. On november 4th 1982, 6 months after the filming of poltergeist, dominique dunn was strangled to death by her estranged boyfriend, john sweeney, at her hollywood apartment. Released in 1982, the original poltergeist, directed by tobe hooper and. The first poltergeist poltergiest film appeared on screen on 1982. Nov 23, 2019 many believe the curse began the same year the first movie was released. Poltergeist was released in june 1982, and in november of that year, 22yearold dominique.
Also, to all curse believers out there, the dog that played ebuzz was called rip. Oct 06, 2017 months after the release of the first film, a star was murdered. Oct 30, 2018 a reboot of the classic 1982 horror film poltergeist came out in 2015, but lets be honest. Dec 14, 2019 while its not the first movie in history to be followed by such rumors, the poltergeist curse carries more weight because of its unique origins. And as a paranormal pop culture researcher, the fact. The other side 1986 was directed by brian gibson and written by. So in full circle, this family, this film, the most extraordinary horror film of the eighties, still has the power to ring every chill out of its script, while still managing to keep the audience calm with its realism, and relief.
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