The 1982 Movie Poltergeist Used Real Skeletons As -Tymoff

The 1982 Movie Poltergeist Used Real Skeletons As -Tymof

Hey there, movie buffs and curious minds! Have you ever heard the spine-tingling tale of the genuine skeletons that made a cameo in the classic horror film Poltergeist? No, this isn’t an urban legend or a tall tale – it’s a true story! And, trust me, it’s a tale as bone-chilling as it sounds.

Picture this: a pool scene where actress JoBeth Williams, who plays Diane Freeling, takes a not-so-refreshing dip. Suddenly, real human skeletons start surfacing from the watery depths, sending shivers down her spine. It’s the stuff of nightmares, right? Now, every time I jump into a pool, I can’t help but think of those creepy skeletons lurking beneath the surface!

But why, you might ask, would anyone in their right mind use real skeletons in a movie? Well, here’s the kicker – it was all about saving a few bucks! Yep, you read that correctly. It turns out that back in the day, it was cheaper to use actual skeletons instead of crafting fake plastic ones. Talk about budget-friendly spooks!

Now, here’s where it gets even more hair-raising. JoBeth Williams, the brave soul who took that swim, had no clue about the skeletons until after the shoot! Can you imagine her surprise? In an interview, she spilled the beans, saying she only learned about the sinister secret afterward. It’s almost like a creepy prank from the ’80s!

But wait, there’s more! Williams revealed that the unsettling atmosphere on the set didn’t stop with the first Poltergeist movie. Nope, it carried over into the sequel, Poltergeist II: The Other Side. Co-star Will Sampson even performed an “exorcism” on set! Talk about trying to banish those bad vibes!

Now, you might be wondering how these unfortunate skeletons ended up in the film in the first place. Well, that’s where special effects makeup artist Craig Reardon comes into the picture. In 1982, he found himself in the hot seat during a lawsuit against Steven Spielberg, brought by screenwriters Paul Clemens and Bennett Michael Yellin. They alleged that an Amblin employee swiped parts of their script and passed them off as their own in Poltergeist. During his deposition, Reardon dropped this bombshell:

And now for the kicker – we still don’t know where those real skeletons ended up! Are they languishing in some forgotten prop house, or are they haunting a college basement somewhere? It’s a mystery that even Scooby-Doo would have a hard time solving!

So, there you have it, folks – the spine-tingling story of the real skeletons in Poltergeist. It’s a tale that’ll give you goosebumps and make you think twice before diving into a pool. And remember, in the world of cinema, even the skeletons have secrets!

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