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The Holiday Inn sign says “Welcome Dr. Fantasy and Friends.” Dr. Fantasy is producer Frank Marshall’s nickname. |
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In the scene where Steve and Diane are discussing the pool, the tv is showing A Guy Named Joe, which Spielberg would later remake as Always. |
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There is an Alien poster in the kids’ bedroom. Coincedently, composer Jerry Goldsmith scored Alien, as well as Poltergeist. Tom Skerrit, who played Dallas in Alien, would also later appear in Poltergeist III. |
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The dog’s name is E Buzz. A few years earlier, Dan Aykroyd played an art critic named E Buzz Miller on Saturday Night Live. Aykroyd also starred in 1941, which Spielberg directed, and would later have small role in Twilight Zone: The Movie, which Spielberg produced as well as directed on of the segments, and an even smaller role in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which Spielberg directed. Coincedently, Aykroyd would later take on ghosts himself, playing Ray Stantz in Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, and Casper. |
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It is a heavily publicized belief that there is a “curse” surrounding the Poltergeist series. The “Real skeletons” story, along with ghost stories told by the actors and some of the crew in publicity articles often surround the superstitous thought. But it’s the exploitation of the tragic deaths of Heather O’ Rourke, Dominique Dunne, Will Samson, and Julian Beck that keep this “curse” going. E! True Hollywood Story even dedicated an entire episode to it. |
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Family Guy spoofed Poltergeist in an episode called Petergeist, where Stewie, taking the role of Carol Anne, gets sucked into the other side. Lets just say that they had quite an interesting take on the exit for the area of bi-location. |
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There was a television series based on the films called Poltergeist: The Legacy. Other than the title and featuring Zelda Rubinstein (as a different character) in an episode, it doesn’t have the characters, nor does it continue the storyline from the films. |
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A Nightmare on Elm St. has a couple of similarities with Poltergeist. They both have scenes where a female character is dragged up a wall and ceiling, and they both have characters who inherit grey hairs because of their supernatural ordeals. Both films also feature final acts where one of the main characters has to step into another plane of existence in order to bring someone back. |
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Action fans might recognize Sonny Landham, who played Billy in Predator, as one of construction workers building the pool who harrasses Dana. |
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As an homage to buddy George Lucas, Spielberg filled the kids’ bedrooms in both E.T. and Poltegeist with Star Wars. merchandise, including a poster, a Chewbacca t-shirt, and several toys. |
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Tangina describes Carol Anne as a “lifeforce.” Tobe Hooper later directed a film called Lifeforce. |
Trivia
– July 29, 2010Posted in: Misc.
