Verbal Diorama - Episode 227 - Poltergeist (1982) - Verbal Diorama

Episode 227

Poltergeist (1982)

Published on: 12th October, 2023

They're here...

Some of the '80s most influential and popular films wouldn't exist without Steven Spielberg, and Poltergeist is one of them.

But its origins aren't from ghost stories, but in UFO sightings, and it would be Spielberg's hesitance to do a sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind that would lead him down the path of creating a pseudo sci-fi horror sequel called Night Skies, itself based on the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter of 1955.

Night Skies, a dark story of malevolent aliens terrorizing a rural family, would never materialise, but it would create the basis for two cinematic classics - one rooted in sci-fi, and the other in horror. The former would become E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and the latter, would become Poltergeist...

But the story of Poltergeist doesn't end there. Its legacy is one of miscredits, alleged stolen work, game-changing visual effects, the MPAA PG rating, the absolute industry clout of Spielberg, and its own ghoulish curse, culminating in the tragic deaths of its talented young stars.

This house is clean

I would love to hear your thoughts on Poltergeist (1982) !

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About the Podcast

Verbal Diorama
The podcast on the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't.
Are you interested in how movies are made? Do you wonder how a film went from conception to completion? If so, Verbal Diorama, hosted by Em, is the award-winning(!) podcast for you!

Movies are tough to make, and Verbal Diorama is here to celebrate the coming together of teams of extraordinary cast and crew, bringing us movies that inspire us, delight us, make us laugh, make us cry and frighten us. This podcast discovers the stories behind the scenes, and proves how amazing it is that movies actually exist!

Welcome to Verbal Diorama. The podcast all about the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't! Subscribe on your favourite podcast app, and enjoy new episodes every week. Winner of the 2024 Ear Worthy Independent Podcast Awards for Best Movie Podcast.
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About your host

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Em .

Hi! I'm Em. I created Verbal Diorama in 2018, and launched the podcast in February 2019 to rapturous applause and acclaim.... from my cat Jess.

The modus operandi of Verbal Diorama is simple: movies are tough to make! The coming together of a team of people from all walks of life to make something to entertain, delight and educate us for 90+ mins is not an easy task, and yet so many succeed at it. That must be something to celebrate.

I'm here to do just that - to celebrate movies. Their history and legacy, and why they remain so special to so many of us.

Episodes are audibly book ended by Jess. She sadly passed away in March 2022, aged almost 18. She featured in many episodes of the podcast, and that's why you can hear her at the end of every episode. The role of official feline producer is now held by the comparatively quieter Evie and Peggy.

I love podcasts, and listen to many, but never my own.

I unashamedly love The Mummy (1999) and Grease 2. I'm still looking for a cool rider.