Strange and Fantastic Tales of the 20th Century is a look back at the weirdest, most memorable, and most off center movies of the 20th century. From head turning horror to oddball science fiction, this column examines the films that will leave a lasting impression for centuries to come.
Tobe Hooper’s 1982 supernatural thriller Poltergeist has become a comfort watch to many. It was terrifying to many as they watched it as children and it still holds up after forty years. I was exposed to many films as a child that I probably shouldn’t have watched. I watched many raunchy teen comedies like Porky’s thanks to my aunts who were adolescents at the time. One aunt in particular, led the way in introducing me to the world of horror. My aunt Olga passed away this Christmas season. I watched the horror canon slashers with her like Halloween and Friday the 13th, but we also watched Poltergeist. She had a clown in her room that quickly became creepy after the first viewing. She always liked to quote the film and remind me to “stay away from the light,” in a bad Zelda Rubenstein imitation. This week’s strange and fantastic tale is for you Olga.
Poltergeist is unique in its formula for terror. The terror does not wait until one of the protagonists is alone. It does not wait for the evening to pay a visit. It subverts the idea that there is safety in numbers and in daylight. The Freeling family is in the process of building a swimming pool in the yard so there are many extra people running around. The sense that something is wrong is noticed by all, there is no lone believer surrounded by skeptics.
The film lulls the viewer into comfort from the start. The first family member we meet is the family dog. He goes from room to room making sure everyone is safe and asleep. This is immediately charming and is followed up by the family eating breakfast together. We get a good sense of the family dynamic. The children squabble over silly things and the parents are laid back and loving. It seems like an inviting home. One would never suspect that chairs will start moving around on their own or that phantom forces would enter through the television, or that the tree will try and eat their child.
It is no secret that Stranger Things is inspired by everything we have ever seen in the 80’s. Where does Caroline go? Without really meaning to, I have followed in some of my aunt’s footsteps and watched some horror films with my niece and nephew. I tried to explain to my nephew where Caroline had gone to and his answer was “oh yeah, like the upside down.” Poltergeist is still enthralling to today’s generations and remains a strong film outside of the horror genre.
Directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, the film is full of clever dialogue and interesting characters. Strong performances are given by all. One of the best scenes is when Craig T. Nelson is screaming at James Karen “You moved the cemetery, but you didn’t move the bodies.” Nelson’s screaming and Karen’s expression are unforgettable. The scary scenes are truly frightening and the family scenes are funny and heartwarming.
Watch Poltergeist with yours or someone else’s family.
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