Get ready for chills as we revisit a classic that doesn’t rely on superhuman slashers or crazed killers but still managed to freeze audiences in fear. "Poltergeist" (1982) tells the story of an ordinary suburban family haunted by supernatural forces that tap into our deepest fears. From a clown doll that springs to life, to a closet that becomes a portal to another dimension, and a tree that breaks through a bedroom window, the terror builds. But nothing is more unsettling than a young girl calmly pressing her hands against a flickering TV screen and announcing: "They’re here..."

Join Tim Williams, Ben Carpenter, and Bethany Wells as they slide across the kitchen floor, grab a raw steak from the fridge, and dive into why this PG-rated fright fest has haunted HBO viewers since the 80s. Does it still give them the creeps? Tune in to this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast to find out!

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• Dr. Lesh states in the movie that the paranormal activity in the Freeling home is likely caused by a poltergeist, rather than a haunting. This is because poltergeists are typically linked to a specific person, while hauntings are associated with a particular location. However, this assessment proves to be incorrect when Steven discovers that the house was built on a cemetery, indicating that the phenomenon is actually a haunting and not a poltergeist.
• The sound effect for the beast that attacks the house at the end of the movie is the source for the MGM lion roar.
• Poltergeist's special effects and score were both nominated for Oscars but lost to Spielberg's bigger film, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial", in both categories.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

⁠https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/poltergeist-at-40⁠

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

In 1984, amid the fears of nuclear war and the rise of consumerism, teen-centric films flourished. One often-overlooked gem stands out for its darker tone, mixing themes of consumerism, alien threats, mutation, and sinister scientists. "Night of the Comet" follows two sisters who survive a comet-induced apocalypse that turns most people into dust and some into zombies. As they navigate the desolate city, meet a fellow survivor, and face the dangers of this new world, they quickly realize that survival isn't as easy as it seems. So, grab your Mac-10, hop on a motorcycle, and join us as Chris Adams and I, along with special guest Catherine Mary Stewart, dive into the 1984 cult classic "Night of the Comet" on this special bonus episode of the 80s Flick Flashback podcast!

This is an abbreviated replay of an episode of the "Retro Life 4 You" Podcast with Chris Adams. If you would like to watch or listen to the full, unedited episode you can find it here - https://retrolife4u.com/episode/night-of-the-comet-apocalypse-80s-style

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback

Say his name three times and he will appear. With his unruly green hair, pinstripe suit and unusual mannerisms, the malicious spirit became a film icon. But before the dark comedy premiered the studio and half of the cast weren't exactly convinced that audiences would be willing to take the wild ride about a bio-exorcist. The original script was vastly different, offering a darker and more deadly take before humor was eventually (and successfully) sprinkled in during production. The unique blend of absurdity and alarm proved to be the perfect mix, with this 80s Flick becoming a surprise hit at the box office, spawning a hit animated series, winning an Oscar, and becoming a Broadway musical. So take a trip with us back to Winter River Connecticut, grab your copy of the “Handbook for the Recently Deceased”, and watch out for the Sandworms as Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Laramy Wells & Bethany Wells discuss “Beetlejuice” from 1988 on this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast.

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

• Tom Duffield said "The scene with Alec Baldwin, where Geena’s standing with his head in her hand, he was just kneeling behind a black show card that was cut around his chin. Look closely, it’s all done on camera. It was real quick cut, but that’s all it was."
• The epilogue featuring Beetlejuice and the witch doctor was added during post-production. Another version of the ending showed Beetlejuice in the waiting room with the barber who welcomed Adam at the beginning of the movie (supposedly after he had died), and the barber's rambling drove Beetlejuice crazy.

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

https://www.ranker.com/list/beetlejuice-behind-the-scenes/jacob-shelton

https://www.eonline.com/news/1369754/20-strange-and-unusual-secrets-about-beetlejuice-revealed

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

• https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback