News Archive

 

8-13-10
 
EXCLUSIVE!
 
Here's a rare shot of what the "Beast" was originally going to look like:
 
(Special thanks to fellow "Poltergeist" fan Matt Knowles!)
 
 
 
See the rest of the cool shots here:
 
 
 
 
 
8-1-10
 
Who knew that the TV People were really only after Robbie's "Star Wars" toys the whole time! This blog figured it out:
 
 
 
 
7-23-10
 
Here's the trailer...in GERMAN!
 
 
 

4-27-10

Film Score Monthly plans new 2 disc CD of the "Poltergeist" soundtrack

Special thanks to site reader Richard for the below info!

Film Score Monthly, with the help of Michael Mattesino, has gone back to the original tapes and they are improving upon the old Rhino CD from 1997.  Therefore, better sound and clarity.  The second CD is going to contain the original 38 minute LP program from 1982.  Now here's the fun part:  rounding off disc 2 are previously unreleased cues, consisting of alternates.  Lukas Kendall, the man behind FSM, confirmed that he is working on this set for sometime this year.

Here are a couple of links:

http://www.cinemusic.net/2010/01/25/fsm-moves-the-headstones-but-leaves-the-bodies-poltergeist-soundtrack-in-2010/

You will see in the below link a long discussion thread about it.  Notice that Sony is re-issuing the older CD but FSM is doing the 2CD set as well.  ENJOY!

http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=65579&forumID=1&archive=0



1-27-10
ZELDA RUBINSTEIN
1933-2010
Zelda passed away today after an extended hospital stay

The cause was complications of a heart attack she had two months ago, her agent, Eric Stevens, said. No immediate family members survive....Ms. Rubinstein was also known for her public advocacy of AIDS education and the rights of little people, the term she preferred.

You can read more about Zelda's life here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/arts/28rubinstein.html


I'll always remember the time I got to shake her hand briefly and tell her how nice it was to meet her at the "Poltergeist" 25th Anniversary screening in Santa Monica, back in 2007. She was a great lady and will be missed. She will also be remembered for her AIDS education work, back during the days when it was controversial to do so. You can see a recent interview with her regarding that topic here:

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/01/27/Zelda_Rubenstein_Dead_at_76/?id=106025


We'll miss you, Zelda.

Other great remembrances here:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43791



1-03-10
Some good news regarding Zelda. According to Clint Morris' Twitter page (he runs Moviehole.net):

Good news re : Zelda Rubinstein. @chrisshowerman paid her a visit today and says she's the best she's been in ages. Doing well she is!

Also, according to Clint's earlier reporting:

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/poltergeist-star-not-near-death_1127321

A friend tells MovieHole.net, "She's OK. Vitals are good. She's apparently doing better. Internet sources exaggerated the story."

It's odd that the two accounts were so different. Hopefully Zelda actually is doing better...


12-30-09
Some sad news to report about Zelda Rubinstein. She's been ill for some time now, and was admitted to the hospital about a month ago. Recently, her family decided to remove her from life support after she suffered organ failure.
 
God bless Zelda and her family at this time.
 
I was privileged to (ever so briefly) shake Zelda's hand and say "It's nice to meet you!" at the end of a "Poltergeist" 25th Anniversary screening in Santa Monica back in 2007. She had some great stories to share about the making of the film with the audience that night. To read a wonderful tribute to her, check out Clint Morris' "Moviehole" page here:

In addition, back in 1985, Zelda became the "Motherly Face" of AIDS Prevention, in an AIDS Project Los Angeles safer sex education campaign that was state-of-the-art for its time in the realm of Social Marketing (back when it was "controversial" to do so):

http://www.apla.org/prevention/social_marketing_images/dont_forget_rubbers.jpg

 
10-19-09
Not directly "Poltergeist" related, but I do urge you to go see the movie "Paranormal Activity." It's VERY good. In some ways it is similar to "Poltergeist" in terms of the structure of the story and the setting (suburban house in southern California). Here's the web site:
 
 
It's very much one of those movies you HAVE to see with a big audience, at night. And the ending, which will make you jump out of your seat, was Spielberg's idea.
 
 
10-08-09
 
Zelda Rubinstein has a new ad for "Best Buy." Check it out here:
 
 
 
7-31-09
 
Check out my interview with Oliver Robins ("Robbie") here!
 
 
 
 
7-19-09
 
I've now created a new page dedicatd solely to news of the remake: www.poltergeistremake.poltergeistIII.com
 
 
 
 
6-19-09
 
Did you know that when the original movie came out in 1982, a "Poltergeist" video came cartridge was also released? Here's some cool "retro" info on it from the following blog:
 
 
The game consisted of three levels, loosely based on the movie. In the first section, the player had to run around a city block map, avoiding traffic and stopping by buildings to collect the various objects needed to rescue Carol Anne. The second level challenged the player to walk up a foreboding staircase, Frogger-style, avoiding evil spirits moving back and forth on each progressively narrower step, to reach the top. The third level depicted demonic figures rising out of "The Light", displayed as a vortex, which the player had to shoot, except SOMETIMES the figure was not a demon, but Carol Anne. Shooting Carol Anne immediately ended the game unhappily; shooting the demon multiple times as the speed increased was required to rescue her, earning a "This house is clean" message onscreen and ending the game on a positive note.
 
 
Check out artist Jim Horwat's web site:
 
There you can order this cool print based on the movie:
 
 
Jim says:
"I came across your Poltergeist website and burned up half an hour within seconds. Fun stuff! Having all of that information in one spot online is a valuable service. I'm an artist based in Philadelphia. I attached a jpeg of some Poltergeist art I had created last year for a horror convention. I have been asked to create similar art for parts 2 & 3, hence your website was very helpful. "
 
Thanks for the compliments, Jim, and great work!
 
 
5-17-09
 
Recently, I had a chance to exchange emails with Michael Grais, co-writer of the original film and co-writer/producer of the first sequel. Here's what he had to say about the remake, his unused idea for a sequel called "Poltergeist: In The Shadows," and how he's never seen "Poltergeist III" all the way through:
 
Hi David, thanks for your interest. I have no doubt that a new version of Poltergeist will probably be well received. Horror seems to be doing quite well commercially speaking. "In the shadows" was not a sequel but an original take on the subject and I cannot divulge any of it's "secrets" as some day I may decide to sit down and write it and not use the Poltergeist name as it had nothing to do with the franchise except the title. In The Shadows is a compelling ghost story on it's own. What MGM is now selling is a pre-sold title and not a storyline that has been done in 3 films and is finished. They are businessmen first, entertainers second, and this decision is a smart business decision and maybe a good artistic one -- if the people who are writing/directing are good, which I assume they are.
 
I haven't seen ["Poltergeist III"] either. I left after about 8 minutes...
 
 
 
**************************

Here's a link to the studio's site, featuring a REALLY well done new trailer:

www.poltergeistanniversary.com

Also, check out my video of the 25th Anniversary Panel Discussion held June 16, 2007 at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (featuring co-writer Mark Victor and actors James Karen and Zelda Rubinstein):

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4099450078852807092

In addition, on June 1, 2007, Fangoria Radio did an interview with Jobeth Williams regarding the 25th anniversary. To listen to the clip, click here:

http://www.fangoriaradio.com/AudioClips/060107/jobeth.mp3

 

 

3-23-09 Another Juliet Snowden/Stiles White interview, this time from

http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/2022

“Poltergeist,” on the other hand, is a much more specific story -- one family, one house. So, how to “update” that without just recycling it?

“”Poltergeist” was a seminal film for us, you know, in our lives, and it’s like your dad’s classic vintage car that’s been in the garage and you’re not allowed to touch it,” says White. “It’s treasured; it’s valuable. We see “Poltergeist” as if, um, as if we’re being handed the keys to the car and we’re gonna be really careful with it.”

Obviously, the couple are keeping specifics under wraps, but what White will say is this: “Poltergeist was a real snapshot of the American family in the year that it came out --1982 -- and I think what we would do with the reimaging of it is, ‘What is the American family up to today?’”

As long as it’s not a ghost-version of “Gossip Girl,” I say.

They both laugh. “No, I think that’d be the wrong way to go,” says White.

3-20-09 Juliet Snowden, currently co-writing the "Poltergeist" remake script with husband Stiles White, gave this interview March 19th to a local ABC affiliate in Louisiana:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/41531702.html

It looks like they're trying to do a thoughtful, updated re-working of the first film:

Snowden and her husband currently are working on a remake of Poltergeist, the 1982 horror hit co-written by Steven Spielberg. The couple also wrote an as-yet-not-produced remake of the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock classic, The Birds, for Universal.

Many remakes are sent Snowden and White’s way, she added.

“We won’t do certain things because we don’t believe we can add anything new. But with The Birds, you can take the concept of birds going crazy and put any backdrop of a story behind that. That’s how we felt about Poltergeist as well. A family whose daughter disappears in a house? We can do something original and reflective of the times that we live in with that.”

Being a married couple and male and female writing team works to her and her husband’s advantage in Hollywood, Snowden added.

“We’re writing an argument between a couple right now for Poltergeist,” she said. “It contains the kind of the things that my husband and I say to each other. A lot of who we are as a couple is on the page.

“And I had just become a mom while I was writing Knowing. I’d written things about parents and kids before, but until you have your own child you don’t know the intensity of the emotions a parent has. Before I had a kid, my biggest fear was my own death. Now that I have a kid, my biggest fear is my child’s death. I’d die a thousand times to protect him. Knowing that contributes to the writing.”

2-17-09 Check out this AWESOME new interview with Oliver Robins, courtesy of IconsofFright.com:

http://iconsoffright.com/news/2009/02/fright_exclusive_interview_oli.html Oliver has apparently ended his long time refusal to discuss the "Poltergeist" movies by talking in detail about what it was like on set. He's now a writer/director. In the above interview, he also discusses his new movie "Man OverBoard." You can check out the web site for that film here:

http://manoverboardmovie.com/ In addition, if you'd like to see Oliver in person, he'll be making these upcoming convention appereances: Feb 27 to March 1 WonderCon--San Francisco, CA
http://www.comic-con.org/wc/

April 17 to 19 Chiller Theatre--Parsippany, NJ

http://www.chillertheatre.com/main.htm

1-12-09 Check out this recent audio interview from the American Society of Cinematographers:

http://theasc.com/magazine_dynamic/podcasts.php

Poltergeist: read details about this podcast

Cinematographer Matthew Leonetti, ASC and visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, ASC sit down with American Cinematographer's Iain Stasukevich to discuss some of the classic techniques on display in the 1982 film Poltergeist.

Download:
iTunes Podcast (audio)
MP3 Audio File (15MB)

 

10-09-08

Some of you may have seen the new Direct TV ad featuring Craig T. Nelson. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSyGF4PqSI8

I thought it was very well done and entertaining. However, it seems like a lot of people have found it offensive to the memory of Heather O'Rourke. I don't think so; I view it as a tribute. Apparently her mother did too. Direct TV says they went to her before they produced the spot and she gave her blessing. I'm sure she was likely compensated as well. I haven't received official confirmation from Direct TV yet, but here is what one of their employees posted on a satellite TV message board: from

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/150773-poltergeist-commercia l-directv.html

"You have likely seen some posts out there about our new Poltergeist commercial, some speculating that the parents of the actress, late Heather O'Rourke might not approve of her being in the ad. Before we went forward with production on the Poltergeist spot, we ran the idea by Heather’s mother for her approval. Not only did she approve it, she thought the inclusion was a wonderful tribute to her daughter."

Notice that on the ad, when Heather says "They're here," it is a dubbed voice. Not sure why they had to change it. Perhaps copyright reasons or technical reasons. The side angle of Carol Anne walking over to the bed is clearly a double for Heather-she is taller.

I tried to get a statement from Craig T. Nelson about the ad, but he declined my request for an interview through his publicist. 9-8-08

Jobeth comments on the remake. She jokes that by the time it gets made, she might be old enough to play the grandmother ("Grandma Jess" from "Poltergeist II"):

http://blogs.amctv.com/monsterfest/2008/09/jobeth-williams-poltergeist.php 9-3-08

MGM confirms the remake:

VADIM PERELMAN TO DIRECT MGM’S NEW ‘POLTERGEIST’ LOS ANGELES, CA September 3, 2008 –Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) has signed Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) to direct POLTERGEIST.

Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President, Production and Luke Ryan, Vice President, Production, are overseeing the project for MGM.

“We are excited to have Vadim direct POLTERGEIST, a title which already has a built-in movie-going audience,” said Boyter. “With his established track record, we look forward to having him lead the creative direction on this new character-based horror project that will utilize the original film as a jumping off point.”

Currently directing and executive producing “Ice,” a drama pilot for the AMC cable network, Perelman wrote and directed House of Sand and Fog starring Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley, which earned 3 Oscar® nominations in 2004. Recently, Perelman directed The Life Before Her Eyes starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood. Prior to his film and television work, Perelman established himself as one of the most sought-after directors of commercials and music videos, responsible for a number of memorable spots for multinational clients.

Perelman is represented by CAA, Simon Millar of Rumble Media and attorneys Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren and Richman.

The original POLTERGEIST was released by MGM in 1982 and earned 3 Oscar® nominations. The film gained a cult following spawning two sequels Poltergeist II: the Other Side and Poltergeist III, along with a television series “Poltergeist: The Legacy,” which aired for 4 seasons on the Showtime network (1996-1999). Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are writing the new POLTERGEIST script for the studio.

 

8-30-08
 
According to BloodyDisgusting.com, Vadim Perelman, director of "House of Sand and Fog," is in talks to direct the remake:
 
 
 
 
8-19-08
 
According to the Hollywood Reporter......
 

'Poltergeist' remake grabs two scribes

Juliet Snowden, Stiles White drafted for MGM film

By Jay A. Fernandez

Aug 19, 2008, 02:06 PM ET

Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are going into the light.

The "Boogeyman" scribes are rolling out more children's nightmares for MGM's planned remake of "Poltergeist," the 1982 horror film that made "they're here ..." the creepiest announcement ever voiced by a 6-year-old kneeling in front of a static-filled television.

Horror thrillers are in Snowden and White's blood. The writers, repped by ICM, co-wrote the $46 million-grossing 2005 release "Boogeyman" for Sam Raimi and Ghost House. They've had a hand in the never-hatching remake of "The Birds" for Universal. And they've co-written "Knowing," a Summit Entertainment release directed by Alex Proyas and starring Nicolas Cage, that is due in March.
 
(full article at above link)
 
 
8-1-08
 
Last week, buried at the bottom of a "Hollywood Reporter" article about MGM's upcoming "Robocop" remake, was this item:
 

From
http://www.reuters.com/article/filmN...35356920080725

In resuscitating the MGM brand, Parent and company have been delving into the studio's library for remake material. Revamps of "Red Dawn," "Fame," "Poltergeist" and "Death Wish" are all in the works.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

So, it looks like MGM will soon be remaking "Poltergeist" after all.  I've got mixed feelings on this. On the one hand I'm glad the studio is doing something new with the franchise, on the other I'm unhappy with the fact that the "Carol Anne grown up" sequel to the original films I was hoping to see will not be happening.

I did a little digging to try and find out some more about Michael Grais' treatment "Poltergeist: In the Shadows." Apparently MGM had considered doing a fourth film at one point, and "Shadows" is what Grais came up with. I can now confirm that his script would have been a "completely different story" which would not have featured an adult Carol Anne.

 
 
4-7-08
 
Congrats, JoBeth!
 
JoBeth Williams Named President of The Screen Actors Guild Foundation

LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Marcia Smith, Executive
Director of The Screen Actors Guild Foundation, announced today that Award
Winning actress JoBeth Williams has been elected President of the SAG
Foundation, replacing retiring president Mitchell Ryan, who served the
foundation for the past 9 years.

"I am honored to have been elected president of the SAG foundation,"
JoBeth said, "it is an organization close to my heart because of its
extraordinary programs which help actors in need and introduce children
across the country to the joys of reading."

Founded in 1985, The Screen Actors Foundation is an educational,
humantarian and philanthropic non-profit organization, dedicated to
enhancing the quality of the lives of actors in need of assistance.
 
 
3-18-08
 
Jobeth's first convention....
 
above, my friends Jonathan and Nicole pose with Jobeth
 
This past weekend in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, the Monster-mania horror convention was held
(http://www.monstermania.net/). Jobeth Williams was a featured guest (her first convention), and she particpated in a panel discussion ("The Women of Horror") with actresses Heather Langenkamp and Amanda Plummer. She also spent time signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.  Site reader "Harrison" sent me this info:
 
"She just talked a little about the 'Poltergeist' curse, the mud swimming pool scene, and cast members from the second film who died. She talked about the actors' deaths, and Will Sampson doing an exorcism on the set of the second film. She said she would come home and find the picture frames on her wall askew, in relation to the 'curse.' She also said that
the swimming pool was Esther Williams' pool on the old MGM lot, and talked about the special effects. Very interesting- I didn't even know that! She also said that the pool scene was shot over a period of days, and that she was afraid to get in the pool, so Spielberg got in the pool with her. She also mentioned her role in 'Kramer vs. Kramer,' and a movie she directed called 'Frankie & Hazel.' She didn't mention anything about a fourth film, and whether she'd take part in it, and didn't talk about 'P3.' [Regarding the controversy of who really directed the original film, Spielberg or Hooper] She said that it
was a collaboration, and each contributed something to it."
 
 
 

 

Here's what a fellow blogger had to say:

from:

 
The Women in Horror panel was an unusual lineup, I thought, of Jobeth Williams from Poltergeist, Heather Langenkamp from Nightmare on Elm Street, and Amanda Plummer from (as they billed her) Needful Things, Pulp Fiction, and The Prophecy....

Anyway, the questions for the women were different than those for the men. They didn't get asked their favorite horror movies or authors. They didn't get asked about their male costars (as the men had been asked for the women) - except Langenkamp was asked about Englund (boring predictable question). Both panels did talk about remakes and sequels, coming down against the former. The women's attractiveness was remarked upon, but not the men's. The women were asked about "creepy fans" and "perverted costars" and what they're afraid of, three basically not all that dissimilar questions. The men didn't get asked those. Langenkamp had already mentioned how New Nightmare came out of a discussion with Craven about a rare troublesome fan, she said some fans love the movie or the character or whatever so much, they end up wanting something from the actor without even knowing what they want, and the actor obviously can't help them figure out what that is. Williams said she was afraid of this year's elections, which Plummer agreed with...

Williams had actually directed several shorts and one of them was Oscar-nominated! I hadn't known this, since they weren't horror. But I should have remembered she'd directed an episode of Night Visions and asked her about that - oh well.
 
In addition, my friend Jonathan attended with his friend Nicole. They were first in line to meet Jobeth at the autograph table. Nicole handed her a replica of the cigar box "Tweety" was buried in in the film to get signed. According to Jonathan, Jobeth got a big kick out of this and happily wrote her line "Oh shit, Tweety...couldn't you have waited until school day?" on the box:
 
 
They asked Jobeth if the "E.buzz" dog used in the second film was the same as the first one. She said she wasn't sure, but she thought it was two different dogs. Jobeth said she last spoke to Zelda a couple of years ago, and that it's been awhile since she's last seen Craig T. Nelson (though she said he's a great guy and was wonderful to work with). She hasn't seen Oliver Robins in about 15 or 16 years, but hears that he's directing his own films now. And, she mentioned that she sees Steven Spielberg every year at Christmas time. She said she'd like to get together with everyone else for a "Poltergeist" reunion sometime. The convention organizers said they'd hoped to do that at this event, but apparently reps for Craig T. Nelson, Oliver Robins, Marty Casella, and Richard Lawson all refused. Jonathan and Nicole asked her what her favorite line from the movie was. Jobeth replied that even though it wasn't her line, her favorite line in the film was "This house is clean." However, her own favorite line was "Now reach back into your past, when you used to be open minded...and just try to use that, ok?" Her favorite sequence to film was the pot smoking scene in the bedroom. They shot this multiple times, and she said Craig was a lot of fun to film with, since he was very spontanteous and would ad lib many of the lines. When asked about a bad fan experience, she related a story when she was filming a project in Georgia ("The Client" TV series, perhaps?). She and her husband were at a restaurant, and a family sitting nearby recognized her and then decided to pull up their chairs to the table where Jobeth and her husband were trying to eat and began to talk to them. Jobeth's husband hadn't seen her after being away for an extended period. When he tried to explain to the uninvited guests that he wanted to have some private time to chat with his wife, the family got very offended.
 
Jonathan said Jobeth seemed to really enjoy meeting with fans at this convention, however, and said they spoke with her several times after the initial autograph signing and picture session. According to Jonathan:
 
"She was so nice, kind, sweet, sincere, heartfelt, welcoming, warm. I could just go on and on about her."
 
 
Finally, since I wasn't able to attend the convention, I had asked him if he could print out some questions I had for her via email and give them to her. I'd hoped to be able to interview her for this site. Jonathan printed the questions out (along with a photo I sent of an alternate scene of Diane getting pulled along a "spider stain" on the bedroom ceiling), and gave them to her in an envelope. He said she told him she'd take a look at it. 
 
So Jobeth....I can't wait to hear from ya:>))  

 

2-25-08
 
Here's a YouTube clip of a 1982 Siskel and Ebert review of the film:
 
 
 
11-14-07
 
Very bad news, if true. It looks like MGM rejected Michael Grais' treatment for a fourth "Poltergeist" and has decided to go with a remake instead-
 
from:

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/10437

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

We've been reporting here for months that a remake to Tobe Hopper/Steven Spielberg's Poltergeist was in the works, we even went as far as to report that Mandate Pictures was attempting to acquire the remake rights to the franchise (read more here). We can now 100% CONFIRM - without a shadow of a doubt - that Mandate Pictures will be producing the remake for MGM. This is a fact, this is done, this is not speculation and it's time to quit denying it. The remake won't happen until post-strike, so watch for news in 2008.

I've now got a full, detailed history of the "Poltergeist IV/Remake" rumors over the years posted:

http://www.poltergeistiii.com/poltergeistIV.html

It covers the period of the late 80s all the way up till now, and incorporates this latest news. I can't confirm that all the rumors are accurate, but I feel confidant in terms of the general timeline of events.

 
11-11-07
 
On Sunday, the blog radio show "Movie Geeks United" interviewed Michael Grais, co-writer of the first film and co-writer/producer of "Poltergeist II." You can listen to the clip here:
 
 
Michael says that when he and co-writer Mark Victor (now his ex-writing partner) got the story treatment from Spielberg (called "Nighttime,") the elements of the story already there were:

1. The family
2. The suburban setting
3. Ghosts coming out of the TV set
4. Paranormal investigators coming to the house

Michael claimed that the character of Tangina Barrons was his idea, and that he and Mark Victor came up with the idea of having the humor in the first half of the movie as you are introduced to the characters. It's unclear who came up with the idea of Carol Anne being kidnapped; Grais didn't mention it and the guys doing the interview didn't ask. Grais says that he and Mark Victor at first were told by Spielberg that he was in negotiations with another writer. 48 hours after negotiations with this writer broke down, Victor and Grais got the job (it's my understanding that the "other writer" was Stephen King, whose agent wanted more money than Spielberg was willing to pay).

Grais says that after he and Mark Victor did the first draft, Spielberg then "polished" the script. Grais didn't address how Spielberg's draft differed from theirs. On the second film, he says that even though Spielberg wasn't involved, he did "tacitly" endorse Michael's and Mark Victor's involvement (allegedly Spielberg retained a financial interest as well, from what I've heard).

Regarding "Poltergeist: In the Shadows," Grais seemed like he was dodging the question. He seemed perplexed as to why people were talking about it (the reason is that Grais himself has the title listed as being "in development" on his web site). He did say that he had written a treatment for what he called "Poltergeist III" but that MGM hadn't bought it and he hadn't been hired to write the script. I think he actually meant to say "Poltergeist IV." (Perhaps it's his version of what "Poltergeist III" should have been.)

UPDATE: I just confirmed with Michael's manager...he meant to say "Poltergeist IV."
 
 
11-06-07
 
Check out this German article I found regarding the DVD (I was able to translate it using BabelFish):
 
 
It was written by a reporter named Joerg Isert

 

10-28-07

 
Here's my full report on the October 25th Hollywood Academy screening/panel discussion:
 
 
I had a great time!
 
 
10-22-07
 
Here's an interview with Richard Edlund in advance of the Thursday Hollywood screening from the "L.A. Times:"
 
 
 
10-16-07
 
I received this from the PR person for Oliver Robins. I'd written to let them know of next week's Hollywood screening and also to ask if he could do an interview for my site:
 
Thank you for your interest in Oliver Robins. He has already been invited by the Academy to the screening of "Poltergeist" on the 25th, but will be unable to attend.

In regards to your web site, unfortunately, Oliver does not do interviews, events or press for "Poltergeist," so we are going to have to respectfully pass on your offer.

Unrelated (or perhaps not), an interesting story about Oliver was recently posted online by one of his former college buddies. If true, it may shed some light on one of the reasons Oliver would rather not discuss the film anymore. For the story, click here:

www.poltergeistIII.com/confidential.html

10-15-07

 
Next Thursday, October 25th, I'm attending this screening in Hollywood!
 
 
Beverly Hills, CA - Poltergeist, the 1982 supernatural horror classic recognized for its groundbreaking visual effects and sound effects editing, will screen as a part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesPrime Tech series on Thursday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.

Hosted by Don Shay, founder and publisher of Cinefex magazine, the program will feature an onstage panel discussion with producer Frank Marshall, supervising sound editors Stephen Hunter Flick and Richard L. Anderson, visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, optical photography supervisor Bruce Nicholson, matte photographer Neil J. Krepela, and special effects makeup artist Craig Reardon. This screening will premiere a newly struck 35mm print from the Academy Film Archive.

The "Prime Tech" screening series, presented by the Academy's Science and Technology Council, showcases Oscar®-nominated and winning films that have been recognized in at least one technical category. Panel discussions illuminate the art of filmmaking from a science and technology perspective, examining how technical elements can augment a film's narrative capabilities and enrich the overall viewing experience.

Tickets to "Poltergeist" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office, or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.

The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue (one block north of Fountain Avenue). For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.

10-14-07

I received this from Fathom Events regarding the way "Poltergeist" was projected in theaters October 4th (many people were upset the movie was projected in the wrong aspect ratio):

Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration for future event offerings. We are sorry for your disappointment in our recent Fathom Events presentation of Poltergeist on October 4, 2007. It is always Fathom’s goal to provide a truly unique and exclusive experience each and every time. In order to preserve the historical value and integrity of the presentation, our studio partners chose to provide Poltergeist to us in a specific format to compliment the commentary at the end of the movie. The aspect ratio delivered was 1.85:1. Going forward, we will ensure that the right expectations are set with our customers.

Thank you again for feedback and we do hope to see you at another event hosted by Fathom in the near future.

Fathom Events

 

10-9-07

The big day has arrived! You can now purchase the Remastered Edition DVD nationwide. I would suggest getting it from Best Buy, with a very low price of $9.99.  Following are some links to reviews of the DVD:

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/825/825717p1.html

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/dvdizzy/poltergeist-652.html

Some good stills from the film can be seen here:

http://classic-horror.com/newsreel/images_from_upcoming_poltergeist_dvd

 

10-4-07

 
Exclusive!  Here's my interview with actor Richard Lawson:
 
10-02-07
 
Check out this awesome new 55 minute audio interview with Zelda:
 
 
On the interview, Zelda says she didn't take part in the SE DVD because no one ever contacted her about contributing to it, but she would have if asked. She did say she'd be willing to do audio commentaries for SE DVDs of the sequels. She was also asked about "multiple endings" being shot to "Poltergeist III." She claimed that the ending she shot "was the ending which appeared on screen." However, she did say that "if there were other endings" it would have been because Gary Sherman "didn't like the ones shot." So, in other words, she seems to be leaving open the possibility that there was an original ending...I think you have to read between the lines on this one.
 
This interview from Aintitcool.com is also excellent:
 
 
 
10-01-07
 
Here are links to more versions of the interview below, with slightly more detail:
 
 
 
 
 
9-28-07
 
According to the "CreepyLA" blog:
 
In an interview with CreepyLA this morning, Zelda Rubinstein, who infamously (albeit prematurely) declared “this house is clean” in “Poltergeist”, was unable to explain what it was like working with Tobe Hooper, the film’s credited director.

“I don’t think I can, because during the six days I worked Steven Spielberg primarily took over that helm in my scenes. I don’t know what happened the other days.”

She acknowledges that Hooper was on set the full time and that he would set up every shot, but each time Spielberg would step in and make changes. “What he wants to show and say is what gets up there (on screen) the way he wants it. There’s no deviation from that.”

More:

http://creepyla.com/blog/2007/09/28/poltergeist-actress-says-spielberg-directed-her-scenes/

 

9-20-07
 
According to Clint Morris over at Moviehole.net, the Austrailian DVD release may be delayed, possibly until December (but he told me the U.S. release is still on for October 9th):
 
 
 
 
9-12-07
 
Here's a link to an updated press release regarding the theatrical screenings: