POLTERGEIST: The Web Site

Navigation

Things To Do

"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

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

http://www.moviehole.net/201022563-our-friend-zelda-rubenstein

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:

http://www.moviehole.net/200922563-our-friend-zelda-rubenstein

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:

http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ax5OASltw&feature=player_embedded

7-31-09

Check out my interview with Oliver Robins ("Robbie") here!

www.poltergeist.poltergeistIII.com/oliverrobins.html

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:

http://gamingafter40.blogspot.com/2009/06/oddities-poltergeist.html

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:

www.jimhorwat.com

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

For archived news updates, click here:

www.poltergeist.poltergeistIII.com/newsarchive.html

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