"One of the best places to find more information is at super-fan David Furtney’s webpage on Poltergeist."-Jim Howard, Jr.-DVDFile.com http://www.dvdfile.com/reviews/review/poltergeist-25th-anniversary-edition-11553
"On David Furtney’s excellent Poltergeist website, there is a page which contains information that would, if entirely accurate, make a devastating case for Spielberg being the director of the film."-Mike Sutton, DVDTimes http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66176
News Updates
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!
6-10-09
EXCLUSIVE!
I recently received some information from an insider who read a later draft of the Stiles White/Juliet Snowden "Poltergeist" remake script (a later version than what LatinoReview.com obtained). According to this person, the script was almost exactly the same story as the original film, with characters described as "sexier." The ending was the same, but with bigger hints of a sequel. It was described as "absolutely" a remake, NOT a "reboot/sequel." It's essentially the same family, just with new names. The main difference between this draft and what LatinoReview obtained was that new "things" were inserted to terrorize the young boy ("Robbie" in the original film, but renamed here). This was to make up for the fact that the Tree and Clown were left out of the first draft. This person was not very impressed with this script, saying that, similar to the "Birds" remake that White and Snowden worked on, there was too much action and not enough substance. A few good things: the house is still built on top of a burial ground, and the "Beast" is shown more. It was also stated that there were many nods to the original in ways that try to be clever. This person felt that the final result will depend on the director and if he can deliver an intense rollercoaster ride. One important point to remember: Stiles and White are no longer involved with the project, and a new draft has been written by someone else. So, it's likely that the latest draft differs even more from this version. In fact, as two commentators on the LatinoReview site posted regarding the first draft:
I work at MGM and have read the script. You must have found a spec or something, that's not even close.
As someone working on this movie, I can confirm that you're script review is outdated.
Hopefully as the script continues to be refined, things can be fixed. Unless there are legal reasons (considering the tangled history of the writing of the original film: www.poltergeist.poltergeistIII.com/wrote.html), I really don't see why the Tree and Clown had to be dropped, and why they had to change the names of the family.
6-5-09
Today I spoke with someone at MGM who advised me that despite what many people are saying online, the new "Poltergeist" film is going to be something that fans of the series are really going to be impressed with.
I guess maybe everyone should take a wait and see attitude. Who knows, perhaps it will be like how fans initially had reservations about Daniel Craig as the new Bond before that installment was released, or about the new "Star Trek" before it came out, and then changed their minds when those films finally opened to big business and rave reviews. Time will tell....
6-3-09
Remake Script Reviewed! (The first draft, anyway-and MGM's not using it)
The web site LatinoReview.com was leaked a first draft copy of the remake script, dated December 22, 2008. You can watch their review at the link below. The web site ShockTillYouDrop was given word that MGM is not using that draft, and that writers Juliet Snowden and Stiles White are no longer connected to the project. I wonder if any of their material will still be used, however?
Of note, this script changes the names of the family (Carol Anne is now named "Sophie"), the Tangina character (also a new name) is a younger woman, not a "little person," and the evil Tree and Clown Doll do not make an appearance! Hopefully, if they really are doing a remake instead of a "reboot/sequel," these things can be rectified in later drafts. If it's a remake, then they really should NOT change the character names, and the tree and clown need to be put back in!
Here's the review:
And the MGM statement:
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...
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For archived news updates, click here:
Here's some cool YouTube Links I found:
Fan created music video dedicated to the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaXA52wrsgc
"The Making of 'Poltergeist:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkrYmc2Wqgc
International Theatrical Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsDJRu9_Cgs
"Unofficial" music video for the song "Shining" by the band The Misfits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7QJ9wtVj2k
Lyrics from the song include "Carol Anne....Carol Anne...the Beast is calling..."
"Poltergeist" Trailer....done with Legos!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZAG1uHbQac
E! True Hollywood Story: The Curse of Poltergeist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSKWUuqFv-w
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I hope you enjoy my web site dedicated to this classic 1982 film.
