Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
As kids, we accessed horror from our TV set. Therefore, what could be more frightening than the network broadcast of POLTERGEIST, a film about actual horrors from a TV set? Well, if you were screenwriter Brent Simons (MEGAMIND) your night terrors weren't stemming from that paranormal plot-line. No, you were already up thanks to the scare tactics of its pre-release, promotional blitz. So, seeing how you're here, here's what scared Brent BEFORE seeing 1982's "GERMAN FOR NOISY GHOST."
Today’s guest BRENT SIMONS is the screenwriter of the Dreamworks animated feature film MEGAMIND, currently streaming on AMAZON PRIME, and HBO MAX as well as to rent or purchase on most online platforms. You can follow Brent on TWITTER @BrentSimons.
POP NOTES
Released on June 4th 1982 (the same day as STAR TREK 2: TH WRATH OF KHAN) POLTERGEIST was directed by Tobe Hooper (THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE) from a script by Mark Victor (COOL WORLD) Michael Grais (MARKED FOR DEATH) and Steven Spielberg (1941).
The film was originally pitched as a follow-up to CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND entitled WATCH THE SKIES. The horror-themed sci-fi script involved a group of aliens invading a mid-west farm. Following a rewrite by filmmaker John Sayles (EIGHT MEN OUT) Tobe Hooper decided to drop the sc-fi angle and concentrate on a supernatural story. Portions of the unused scripts were repurposed into both POLTERGEIST and E.T THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (which debuted in theaters the week following POLTERGEIST’S premiere).
Early in its development, Spielberg approached author Stephen King about the possibility of collaborating on the script. Reportedly, King’s publisher, DOUBLEDAY BOOKS requested too high of a payday and the two icons went their seperate ways.
Prior to casting Heather O’Rourke as the daughter CAROL ANN, Spielberg auditioned Drew Barrymore (FIRESTARTER). Based upon their interaction he cast her in the role of Gertie in his concurrent production of E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL.
While publicly listed as a producer on the film, there has been much debate on whether Steven Spielberg actually over-ruled Tobe Hooper’s decisions and directed the film himself. He was in production of E.T. at the time, and a clause in his Universal contract restricted him from officially directing two pictures at once. Still, with a constant presence on set, at least one cast members has gone on record saying Spielberg consistently adjusted shots and guided actors. However, , the majority of the cast have stood by Tobe Hooper as the film’s true visionary and director.
Actor Oliver Robbins (ROBBIE) was nearly strangled by a prosthetic puppet while filming the toy clown attack sequence. The prop’s mechanical hands gripped his throat too tight and it was only after realizing his cries were not part of the performance that Spielberg wrestled the the child actor free.
There is an alleged curse attached to the making of POLTERGEIST that stems from the use of actual human skeletons in a pool scene. The unfortunate result of this curse is said to include the untimely death of six cast and crew members, most prominently with the murder of Dominique Dunne (DANA) and the unfortunate passing of Heather O’Rourke (CAROL ANN)
POLTERGEIST kicked off a franchise that included two sequels entitled THE OTHER SIDE (1986) and POLTERGEIST 3 (1988) as well as a remake in 2015. The Russo Brothers (AVENGERS: ENDGAME) are currently in reportedly in talks to reboot the film once more.
Tune back on Wednesday when Brent focuses a magnifying glass on the sci-fi francise of THE MICRONAUTS.
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MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
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