“Poltergeist”: the tragic story of the actors who took part in a “cursed” film.

poltergeist It is one of the most chilling horror films in the history of cinema, it was released in 1982 and formed a trilogy centered on the Freeling family and the stalking of the evil Reverend Kane, it also had an unforgettable cast marked by tragic endings.

In addition to the opening film of 82, the other two, Poltergeist II: The other sidesince 1986 and also Poltergeist IIIthey are filled with memorable and disturbing moments, like the horrible doll dragging Robbie Freeling under his bed, or perhaps the nightmare tree that comes out of his bedroom window and literally tries to devour him.

However, outside of the fiction directed by Tobe Hooper, although according to various rumors it was actually directed by Steven Spielberg, it is one of the most cursed films in the history of cinema.

The curse surrounding Poltergeist

The film had television specials and mini documentaries, such as AND! True Hollywood Story: The Curse of the Poltergeist and, more recently, the third episode of Damn movies. So much review had its reasons, especially with respect to the future of the cast.

For starters, four of the main actors in the trilogy have died within six years of the original film’s release, which has led many to believe that everything surrounding the production had a curse.

This gave rise to other myths about what could have happened during filming. especially for the strange things that have happened.

Actress Dominique Dunne, one of the protagonists, was 22 when she worked on the film. She played Danna Freeling, the older sister in the first part of the trilogy. In Poltergeist II it was said that his character would go to college, but what was foreseen in the script had to be completely discarded.

Dunne died a few months after the original film was released.. On the night of October 30, 1982, the actress was brutally strangled by her ex boyfriend.

The killer, identified as John Sweeney, showed up at her West Hollywood home hoping to mend their relationship and return to live with her. A heated argument ensued in the driveway of Dunne’s house. There the crime took place.

When the police arrived, Sweeney confessed to the murder. At the time, Dunne was still alive; She was rushed to Cedar’s-Sinai Medical Center, where he remained in a coma for five days and never regained consciousness.

November 4, 1982just three weeks before what would have been his 23rd birthday, she was pronounced dead. Dunne was considered a rising star at the time and had just landed the role of Robin Maxwell in the sci-fi miniseries, V: Alien invasionsince 1983.

The tragic end of Julian Beck, the villain of Poltergeist

Julian Beck, the actor who played Reverend Henry Kane in the first part, also didn’t end well. The skinny 19th century-looking sect leader who spends most of his poltergeist attempting to infiltrate the Freelings’ residence and kidnap Carol Ann, it had a heartbreaking ending.

Beck failed to see the theatrical debut of poltergeist II, since his death on 14 September 1985, during the film’s post-production period and eight months prior to its release.

Unlike the murder of Dominique Dunne, Beck died after a long battle with stomach cancersomething he had been diagnosed with in 1983. So while his death certainly was unfortunate, it wasn’t unexpected either.

Beck was dying of stomach cancer during production and the entire crew was aware of his diagnosis. Some believe it even influenced his chilling final performance.

Will Sampson, the shaman of Poltergeist IIdied of postoperative renal failure after a heart-lung transplant. Again, this is another cast member’s death that occurred strangely shortly after the film’s release.

Sampson died on June 3, 1987, but, like Beck’s situation, he had pre-existing health problems. The actor suffered from scleroderma, a chronic degenerative disease that caused severe malnutrition and other complications to the heart, skin and lungs. He was only 53 at the time of his death.

The girl from “Poltergeist”: Heather O’Rourke

The best-known death that has sparked and fueled the “Poltergeist Curse” fire to date has been the shocking loss of Heather O ‘Rourke, who played Carol Ann, the young angelic face of the entire franchise.

During the production of Poltergeist III in 1987, O’Rourke was being treated for Crohn’s disease., which would prove to be a misdiagnosis. In the third episode of the docuseries Damn moviesThe director of the third installment, Gary Sherman, shared several memories of the young actress, saying that she was still in a good mood and, in general, looked physically fine.

In January 1988, O’Rourke became seriously ill and his health began to deteriorate alarmingly. On February 1 of that year she was taken to the hospital, where she eventually died from septic shock caused by an undetected bowel obstruction.

O’Rourke, 12, on the same day of his death, also revealed that he does not have Crohn’s disease, but rather an acute bowel obstruction due to a congenital stricture, something that could have been surgically corrected had it been detected earlier. .

Just four months after the film’s release, his death prompted the studio to force Sherman to shoot an entirely new ending using a stunt double. something the director was categorically against. He preferred the film not to be released, but MGM got away with it.

O’Rourke’s tragic end was the fourth death of a prominent cast member of poltergeist over a period of only six years.

What does “Poltergeist” mean?

This word has a German origin, Polter, “noise” or “clamor”; and Geist, “spirit”. It is a term related to occultism that is referred to a disembodied spirit or supernatural force to which certain evil or disturbing phenomena are attributed, such as inexplicable noises, sudden and wild movements or the breaking of household objects.

Poltergeists are also credited with violent actions: throwing stones or setting fire to clothing and furniture. These events are said to be sporadic, unpredictable and often repetitive.

According to popular belief, a poltergeist’s activity appears to be concentrated in a specific family member., often a teenager, whose goal is bullying or, rarely, physical harm. When strangers are present, the unusual phenomena usually cease.