A Trip Down Memory Lane...In Cuesta Verde

Poltergeist has been one of my favorite films for decades. I don't recall this, but one of my best friends since childhood told me that when we first met, all I ever talked about was this film. There's something fascinating and addictive about it. It's pretty innocent, but then there are the moments that make you wonder how it ever could have received a PG rating (need I mention the face peeling scene?). I'm watching it right now. I'm by myself @ home; sick w/ a sore throat. The other half went out. I've been itching to watch it (I'm sure in no small part, due to Family Guy's recent brilliant homage), so here I am. Each time I watch it, there are a few things that stand out.

First, JoBeth Williams gives what should have been an Oscar-nominated performance. I actually saw online somewhere that the studio was campaigning for same, but didn't get it. She has only one moment that rings false to me. It's the, "she moved right through my soul" bit. I've always felt that way about that delivery, and can't really explain why. Is the laugh/cry after the line forced? Is that it? The rest of her moments are true, heartbreaking and worth another look @ this classic; just to behold her genuine performance.

I have a somewhat regular blog called, "Great Performances". As I was watching today, I realized that Oscar winner (for one of my other favorites; Network) Beatrice Straight should get a nod in this blog. She's great throughout, but her moment (made fun of on Family Guy) is when she quietly whispers to Diane about the deceased and their misadventures in and around the light. The lighting is so perfect, how it reflects off her moist eyes as she tells her tale. She's got a bit of Piper Laurie in her voice, and it makes for some great delivery. Brilliant, I say!

The false, "This house is clean" ending. A wonderful sense of calm before the real hell breaks loose. However, even as a kid, I was always wondering why the movie didn't end when Carol Anne was brought back. I think it was my first lesson on false endings, and how the filmmakers manipulated you. I don't think it was long before the public and little kid me, found out that if some other situation started up after the "ending", that more was to come. I wasn't fooled for long.

That horrid clown (wouldn't it be awesome to own that movie prop?)

The best scene in the film? Where Tangina (a great turn by Zelda Rubinstein--she kind of sucked in the sequels) tells the gathered remaining dwellers in the house; about Carol Anne's company on the other side. "The Beast". Every piece of filmmaking works in this scene. "I love it when a plan comes together." Watch all of the various puzzle pieces in harmony. The delivery by Zelda Rubinstein; especially when she says, "to her it is another child...to us it is the beast." The music cue here is ominous, so horrible and so effective. Then, you've got the reaction shots of Beatrice Straight and particularly that of Jobeth Williams. Her eyes are moist (looks like a bit of glycerin; or perhaps the lighting was doing a tremendous job on her real tears) and her expression beats all. What is Diane thinking at the moment? There's nothing left for the audience to ponder...Jobeth Williams gives it her all, and leaves no doubt about what her character is experiencing right then and there. Utter horror about what has just been told. Her daughter's being held in another dimension by the Devil himself. No small pill to swallow. Watch this moment again, and you'll see what I mean. I BELIEVE it all. That's pretty impressive for a horror film.

Jerry Goldsmith's score is horrifying, menacing and spot-on. You have to love the New Year's Eve noisemaker sound; each time the clown appears. Ugh.

I think it's interesting that most of the special effects hold up; even almost 25 years later! Speaking of which, that completely scary, nasty beast (pictured above) that appears outside of Carol Anne and Robbie's door; right before Diane falls into the pool (which I have heard by the way, that there were real skeletons used in that pool), gives me goosebumps; even after this many viewings (not computable).

I love the way things start so fun, interesting, kooky, and quickly turn bad. I actually enjoy the film a great deal; before the wackiness kicks in. I'm interested in the characters. I'm interested in their way of life and their neighborhood. I think that's a testament to the filmmakers. I believe we really do care about these folks when things start to go awry. Again, rare in so many scary movies.

The other half and I use quotes from this film in everyday situations. Mention a swimming pool in our presence, and you will be greeted by our rendition of Jobeth Williams screaming, "THE SWIMMING POOL, THE SWIMMING POOL!" as she's running to find Carol Anne following the first disappearance. Second; there's the "Not my mess" from little Robbie. Anytime the other half and I pass a traffic accident, arrest, broken bottle on the sidewalk, or leave a dirty counter in our kitchen, or the like, we inevitably state, "Not my mess." Oh, and we use Dana's "What's HAPPENING!" (when she arrives home in the final frames of the film) in many daily moments.

For years, there has been talk about how much Spielberg's influence was on the picture. How much did director Tobe Hooper actually direct? The most telltale moments; that I believe are purely Hooper: The scene of the beast lurching from the closet; as Steven pulls on the rope. The quick cuts of Craig T. Nelson's face seem out of place, but none-the-less effective. Second, the moment when Steven is screaming @ his boss (James Karen; in a great few bits on screen), and the boss's horrified, wide-eyed expression as it is seen over Steven's shoulder. The rest of it seems to have the Spielberg stamp. At any rate, there is some Hooper present.

The fact that it is clearly a doll being carried in the mad dash to escape the house in the end (at least for one of the scenes).

I adore the reveal of the cemetery; as Boss-man and Steven are discussing the expansion of their neighborhood ideals. It actually is quite a shock, and you're never quite sure what the whole thing means; until it's revealed that these graves will be moved, just as they were once before. Duh! It all adds up now!

All around, this is one of those films that I could pick up at any time of the day, regardless of my mood, and regardless (or is it irregardless; I don't get that) of the fact that I've missed the first half hour, and sit down to enjoy. I know it so well now, that I can fill in the blanks if I start late. Although it can be a nasty customer, it still serves to soothe me, comfort me and bring me back to my days as a little kid; right at the beginning of my obsession w/ all things spooky. Those were good days. Now I'm just a jaded old curmudgeon, with nothing on my mind but how to pay the bills and how to deal with my never-ending back issues. When did I lose my way folks? Can't I just watch Poltergeist all the time; enjoy moments of escape; just like the ones that this film brings? Can't I just watch someone else suffer @ the hands of moody spirits, creepy clowns, clairvoyant, cocky midgets and homicidal trees? Hmm? Seriously. A good movie.