10 Bizarre Events That Happened on the Set of Poltergeist

“Poltergeist,” the 1982 horror classic directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, became a legend in both cinema and pop culture. With its eerie story about a haunted house and a kidnapped child, the film captivated audiences and remains a favorite to this day. However, the set of “Poltergeist” was anything but ordinary. Over the course of production, a series of bizarre and often chilling events unfolded, leading some to believe that the set was truly cursed. From untimely deaths to strange accidents, here are ten bizarre events that happened on the set of “Poltergeist.”

1. The Death of Dominique Dunne

Dominique Dunne, who played the older daughter, Dana Freeling, was one of the first cast members to be affected by tragedy. Just a few months after filming wrapped, Dunne was tragically murdered by her ex-boyfriend, John Sweeney, in 1982. She was only 22 years old. This untimely death cast a shadow over the production and started the rumors of the “Poltergeist curse.” It was an unfortunate and violent end for an actress with a bright future.

2. The Mysterious Death of Heather O’Rourke

Arguably the most tragic event surrounding “Poltergeist” was the death of Heather O’Rourke, the young actress who played Carol Anne Freeling, the film’s most iconic character. During the filming of “Poltergeist III,” O’Rourke suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital, where she died on February 1, 1988, at the age of 12. The cause of death was later determined to be a bowel obstruction that led to septic shock. Her death came as a shock to everyone, especially given her seemingly healthy appearance during filming.

3. The Curse of the Skeletons

Perhaps one of the most well-known stories to emerge from the set of “Poltergeist” is the use of real human skeletons. It was revealed that during the production of the film’s iconic swimming pool scene, the production crew used actual human skeletons as props. While this was not uncommon in Hollywood at the time, it was unsettling to learn that the crew had unknowingly worked with real remains. This led to rumors of a curse, with some believing that the spirits of the deceased were now haunting the set.

4. The Tragic Death of Will Sampson

Will Sampson, who portrayed the spiritual medium Taylor in “Poltergeist II: The Other Side,” passed away in 1987 following complications from heart surgery. While his death was not as mysterious as the others, it added to the growing list of tragic events surrounding the film. Many believe that the deaths of several key cast members, especially after their involvement in the franchise, cannot simply be written off as coincidence.

5. A Fatal Plane Crash and the Cast’s Terrors

Another eerie occurrence surrounding the “Poltergeist” franchise was a tragic plane crash involving a family member of one of the film’s crew members. The crash, which occurred after filming wrapped, killed several people, including relatives of a cast member. The crew, already aware of the previous misfortunes on set, began to worry that there was more to the strange series of deaths than mere coincidence.

6. The Camera That Captured Unexplained Shadows

There are several reports from the film crew about strange occurrences on set, especially involving the camera equipment. According to some reports, the cameras would frequently capture unexplained shadows or figures that were not visible to the human eye. These “ghostly” images appeared in shots where they didn’t belong, and some of the crew members speculated that they were the result of paranormal activity.

7. The Curse of the Poltergeist Tree

In the film, a large tree is depicted as a terrifying force that attacks the Freeling family. Interestingly enough, during the production, several cast members reported that the tree prop was eerily lifelike. Some of the crew believed the tree had its own malevolent energy. In one instance, a cast member claimed to have been physically injured by the tree, leading some to wonder if the tree on screen had a life of its own.

8. The Electrical Mishaps

Several crew members reported strange electrical issues throughout the production of “Poltergeist.” Lighting rigs would fail unexpectedly, and electrical devices would malfunction without any apparent cause. This wasn’t just bad luck – some believed that the equipment was being tampered with by supernatural forces. Given the film’s supernatural subject matter, it only fueled suspicions that the set was cursed.

9. Spielberg’s Ominous Warnings

Steven Spielberg, the mastermind behind the film’s production, was well aware of the rumors surrounding the set. He even joked on multiple occasions that the film was cursed. According to some accounts, Spielberg made it a point to keep certain crew members away from the more dangerous or potentially cursed areas of the set. His attempts to keep the production running smoothly were in vain as misfortune continued to follow the cast and crew throughout the production process.

10. The Eerie Prophecies

In the years following the production of “Poltergeist,” several members of the cast and crew began sharing stories about strange dreams and prophecies related to the film. Some of the cast claimed to have had visions of death or injury before they happened, while others described feeling a strong sense of impending doom while working on set. These eerie prophecies, along with the actual events that followed, only added to the legend of the cursed film.

Conclusion: A Cursed Legacy

Whether or not you believe in curses, the bizarre events that occurred on the set of “Poltergeist” remain an unsettling part of film history. From untimely deaths to strange occurrences, the set seemed to be haunted long before the cameras ever started rolling. While many of these events could be explained away as coincidence or bad luck, there’s no denying that something extraordinary – and unsettling – took place on the set of one of the most beloved horror films of all time. Could it have been a curse? Or was it simply a series of tragic events linked together by the eerie nature of the film? Regardless, the legacy of “Poltergeist” continues to fascinate and frighten viewers around the world.

Experiences on the Set of “Poltergeist” and Reflections on Its Legacy

The filming of “Poltergeist” was not just about the actors and the crew bringing a supernatural story to life – it became a series of bizarre real-life experiences that blurred the line between fiction and reality. Reflecting on the events that took place, it’s hard not to draw parallels between the terror depicted on screen and the tragedies that occurred off-screen. The story of the cursed set of “Poltergeist” has become part of the film’s mystique, and perhaps it is this very legacy that makes the film so compelling to this day.

As viewers, we’re often intrigued by the behind-the-scenes drama of films we love, especially when that drama involves strange, unexplainable events. The “Poltergeist” set, however, wasn’t just a backdrop for the supernatural taleit became a focal point for the kind of eerie, real-life horror that made the film so unforgettable. From the tragic deaths of key cast members to the unexplained phenomena that plagued the production, “Poltergeist” will always be remembered not only for its storytelling and groundbreaking visual effects but also for the strange, unexplained happenings that occurred during its creation.

The rumors surrounding the cursed set of “Poltergeist” continue to captivate new generations of horror fans. Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, there’s no denying that the series of eerie events linked to the film only add to its legend. It’s the kind of story that will be retold for years to come, reminding us that sometimes, the most frightening things aren’t just what’s on screen, but what happens behind the scenes. And for “Poltergeist,” the line between fiction and reality was forever blurred.

sapo: From the tragic deaths of cast members to unexplained happenings, the set of “Poltergeist” is surrounded by eerie stories that blur the line between reality and fiction. Explore the chilling events that haunt this horror classic.