#121 - "Poltergeist" (1982) with Ben Carpenter and Bethany Wells
Get ready for chills as we revisit a classic that doesn’t rely on superhuman slashers or crazed killers but still managed to freeze audiences in fear. "Poltergeist" (1982) tells the story of an ordinary suburban family haunted by supernatural forces that tap into our deepest fears. From a clown doll that springs to life, to a closet that becomes a portal to another dimension, and a tree that breaks through a bedroom window, the terror builds. But nothing is more unsettling than a young girl calmly pressing her hands against a flickering TV screen and announcing: "They’re here..."
Join Tim Williams, Ben Carpenter, and Bethany Wells as they slide across the kitchen floor, grab a raw steak from the fridge, and dive into why this PG-rated fright fest has haunted HBO viewers since the 80s. Does it still give them the creeps? Tune in to this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast to find out!
Get ready for chills as we revisit a classic that doesn’t rely on superhuman slashers or crazed killers but still managed to freeze audiences in fear. "Poltergeist" (1982) tells the story of an ordinary suburban family haunted by supernatural forces that tap into our deepest fears. From a clown doll that springs to life, to a closet that becomes a portal to another dimension, and a tree that breaks through a bedroom window, the terror builds. But nothing is more unsettling than a young girl calmly pressing her hands against a flickering TV screen and announcing: "They’re here..."
Join Tim Williams, Ben Carpenter, and Bethany Wells as they slide across the kitchen floor, grab a raw steak from the fridge, and dive into why this PG-rated fright fest has haunted HBO viewers since the 80s. Does it still give them the creeps? Tune in to this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast to find out!
Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:
- Dr. Lesh states in the movie that the paranormal activity in the Freeling home is likely caused by a poltergeist, rather than a haunting. This is because poltergeists are typically linked to a specific person, while hauntings are associated with a particular location. However, this assessment proves to be incorrect when Steven discovers that the house was built on a cemetery, indicating that the phenomenon is actually a haunting and not a poltergeist.
- The sound effect for the beast that attacks the house at the end of the movie is the source for the MGM lion roar.
- Poltergeist's special effects and score were both nominated for Oscars but lost to Spielberg's bigger film, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial", in both categories.
Sources:
Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/09/poltergeist-at-40
Some sections were composed by ChatGPT
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Bethany Wells
Valley Girl of VHS
Bethany is a spirited guest host with a deep love for romantic movies, nostalgic soundtracks, and all things delightfully 80s. Whether she’s breaking down iconic love stories or championing American treasures like Dolly Parton and Rick Moranis, she brings heart, humor, and a little sparkle to every episode. Off-mic, she’s a dedicated mom and a full-time vendor account specialist, juggling spreadsheets by day and rewatches of Steel Magnolias by night. She shares the mic—and the remote—with her husband, Laramy, making them the ultimate movie-loving power couple.
Ben Carpenter
Ben grew up steeped in 80s movies. His love of film led him to start making his own short videos during his teen years in the late 80s, then he attended the film school at Florida State University in the early 90s. Today, Ben is an aspiring empty-nester who acts in community theater and loves talking movies with friends.
