Who can forget the chilling words of little Carole Anne Freeling - "They're here" ... and by TV people she does not mean the cable guy ...
Director Tobe Hooper of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame outdoes himself with arguably one of the best horror films of the 1980's.
Poltergeist has everything - menacing trees, maniacal clowns, cantankerous toys, corpses in the swimming pool, a munchkin medium, etc.
A whole new reason to stay away from cookie cutter housing developments...we begin our journey with a walk through your typical late 70's early 80's tract home as seen through the eyes of the family pooch. As you see, everything is as it should be. Or is it?
The fun really starts on the night of a big thunderstorm. An age old tree left in the yard by the builders (now right there, that should tell you the story is fiction, builders just don't leave age old trees in the yard!) wants to eat young Robbie Freeling (Oliver Robbins). As the family struggles to keep Robbie from becoming tree fodder, Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) is sucked into another world by poltergeists who want her to lead them to the other side.
The family calls on a group of parapsychologists headed by Dr. Lesh (Beatrice Straight) who try to capture the beings with all of their technological devices. They soon realize that it is time to call in the big guns - enter clairvoyant, Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubenstein). With Tangina's help the Freelings free their daughter from the poltergeists and the house is rendered "clean". But could it be that easy? To find out you'll have to watch Poltergeist.
A haunting soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith, expert casting, directing and acting, as well as one hell of a scary story combine to make
Poltergeist, as I said before, arguably one of the 1980's best horror films.
Poltergiest Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Tobe Hooper
Writing credits
Steven Spielberg (story)
Steven Spielberg (screenplay) &
Michael Grais (screenplay) &
Mark Victor (screenplay)
Cast (in credits order)
JoBeth Williams .... Diane Freeling
Craig T. Nelson .... Steve Freeling
Beatrice Straight .... Dr. Lesh
Dominique Dunne .... Dana Freeling
Oliver Robins .... Robbie Freeling
Heather O'Rourke .... Carol Anne Freeling
Michael McManus .... Ben Tuthill
Virginia Kiser .... Mrs. Tuthill
Martin Casella .... Marty (as Marty Casella)
Richard Lawson .... Ryan
Zelda Rubinstein .... Tangina Barrons
Lou Perry .... Pugsley
Clair E. Leucart .... Bulldozer driver (as Clair Leucart)
James Karen .... Mr. Teague
Dirk Blocker .... Jeff Shaw
Allan Graf .... Neighbor
Joseph Walsh .... Neighbor (as Joseph R. Walsh)
Helen Baron .... Woman buyer
Noel Conlon .... Husband
Robert Broyles .... Pool worker #1
Sonny Landham .... Pool worker #2
William Vail .... Implosion man (as Bill Vail)
Jeffrey Bannister .... Implosion Man
Phil Stone .... Football Announcer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Craig Simmons .... Implosion Man (uncredited)More Poltergeist Movie Reviews and Information
Poltergeist Movie Review from About.comThe Internet Movie Database Poltergeist Movie Page
