IMDb > Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist
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Poltergeist (1982) More at IMDbPro »

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Poltergeist (1982) -- A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts.
Poltergeist (1982) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)
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Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   29,907 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 15% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Tobe Hooper
Writers:
Steven Spielberg (story)
Steven Spielberg (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for Poltergeist on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 June 1982 (USA) more
Genre:
Horror | Thriller more
Tagline:
They're here. more
Plot:
A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(158 articles)
Uncanny Birthday Suits
 (From FilmExperience. 23 November 2009, 7:30 AM, PST)
Promo Photos & Synopsis – Private Practive 6.09 "The Parent Trap" & 6.10 "Blowups"
 (From TVovermind.com. 16 November 2009, 2:22 PM, PST)
User Comments:
My favorite film experience more (241 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Craig T. Nelson ... Steve Freeling

JoBeth Williams ... Diane Freeling (as Jobeth Williams)
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
Lou Perryman ... Pugsley (as Lou Perry)
Clair E. Leucart ... Bulldozer Driver (as Clair Leucart)

James Karen ... Mr. Teague

Dirk Blocker ... Jeff Shaw
Allan Graf ... Sam
Joseph Walsh ... Joey (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, NBC Sports
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Craig Simmons ... Implosion Man (uncredited)
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Directed by
Tobe Hooper 
 
Writing credits
Steven Spielberg (story)

Steven Spielberg (screenplay) &
Michael Grais (screenplay) &
Mark Victor (screenplay)

Produced by
Kathleen Kennedy .... associate producer
Frank Marshall .... producer
Steven Spielberg .... producer
 
Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith 
 
Cinematography by
Matthew F. Leonetti (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Michael Kahn 
Steven Spielberg (uncredited)
 
Casting by
Jane Feinberg 
Mike Fenton 
Marci Liroff 
 
Production Design by
James H. Spencer 
 
Set Decoration by
Cheryal Kearney 
 
Makeup Department
Dorothy J. Pearl .... makeup artist (as Dottie Pearl)
Toni-Ann Walker .... hair stylist (as Toni Walker)
 
Production Management
Dennis E. Jones .... production manager (as Dennis Jones)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Pat Kehoe .... first assistant director
Bob Roe .... second assistant director
 
Art Department
Michael Muscarella .... construction coordinator (as Michael L. Muscarella)
Craig Raiche .... property master
Ed Verreaux .... production illustrator
Brent W. Bell .... carpenter (uncredited)
Martha Johnston .... set designer (uncredited)
Dick Lasley .... production illustrator (uncredited)
Scott W. Leslie .... set dresser (uncredited)
Greg Lynch .... lead man (uncredited)
William F. Matthews .... set designer (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Richard L. Anderson .... supervising sound editor
John Dunn .... sound effects editor (as John Chih Chao Dunn)
Stephen Hunter Flick .... supervising sound editor
Warren Hamilton Jr. .... dialogue editor
Alan Howarth .... special sound effects
Bonnie Koehler .... dialogue editor
Mark A. Mangini .... sound effects editor
Steve Maslow .... sound re-recording mixer
Kevin O'Connell .... sound re-recording mixer
Art Rochester .... sound mixer
John Roesch .... foley walker
Joan Rowe .... foley walker
Richard Thornton .... boom operator
Bill Varney .... sound re-recording mixer
Curt Schulkey .... adr editor (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Jeff Jarvis .... special effects foreman
Craig Reardon .... special effects makeup
Michael Wood .... mechanical effects supervisor (as Mike Wood)
Robert Cole .... special effects hydraulic foreman (uncredited)
John McLeod .... special effects technician (uncredited)
Thaine Morris .... pyrotechnician (uncredited)
 
Visual Effects by
Jose Able .... animator: ILM
Peter Amundson .... assistant visual effects editor: ILM
Charles Bailey .... model maker: ILM (as Charlie Bailey)
Craig Barron .... assistant matte photographer: ILM
David Berry .... optical printer operator: ILM (as Dave Berry)
Mike Bolles .... design engineer: ILM
Conrad Bonderson .... machinist: ILM
Ed Breed .... production procurer: ILM
Marty Brenneis .... electronic engineer: ILM
Kris Brown .... electronic system software: ILM
John Bruno .... animation supervisor: ILM
Conrad Buff IV .... visual effects editorial supervison: ILM (as Conrad Buff)
Laura Buff .... production accountant: ILM (as Laura Kaysen)
Scott Caple .... assistant animator: ILM
Melissa Cargill .... electronic technician: ILM
Sean M. Casey .... model maker: ILM (as Sean Casey)
Dave Childers .... stage technician: ILM
Wade Childress .... equipment maintenance: ILM
Terry Chostner .... still photographer: ILM
Bob Chrisoulis .... optical technician: ILM
Donald Clark .... optical printer operator: ILM (as Don Clark)
Harold Cole .... stage technician: ILM
Samuel Comstock .... technical animation supervisor: ILM (as Sam Comstock)
Jay Davis .... matte animator: ILM
Bob DeLuca .... assistant animator: ILM
Dick Dova .... stage technician: ILM
Richard Edlund .... visual effects supervisor
Judy Elkins .... matte animator: ILM
John Ellis .... optical printer operator: ILM
Chrissie England .... administrative supervisor: ILM
Rick Fichter .... effects cameraman: ILM
Bob Finley III .... stage technician: ILM (as Bobby Finley III)
Pat Fitzsimmons .... stage foreman: ILM
Barbara Gallucci .... model maker: ILM
Steve Gawley .... model maker: ILM
Tim Geideman .... optical technician: ILM
Ray Gilberti .... second assistant camera: ILM
Ralph Gordon .... optical line-up: ILM
Milton Gray .... animator: ILM (as Milt Gray)
Mary Lou Hale .... production secretary: ILM
David Hanks .... apprentice machinist: ILM
Toby Heindel .... model maker: ILM
Robert Hill .... first assistant camera: ILM
Edward Hirsh .... stage technician: ILM
Renee Holt .... animation assistant supervisor: ILM
Paul Huston .... chief model maker: ILM
Jerry Jeffress .... electronic system designer: ILM
Ed Jones .... optical line-up: ILM
Paula Karsh .... production procurer: ILM
James Keefer .... animation camera supervisor: ILM (as James C. Keefer)
Kim Knowlton .... matte animator: ILM
Neil Krepela .... matte photographer: ILM
Kathryn Lenihan .... matte animation: ILM
Gary Leo .... electronic engineer: ILM
Michael Lessa .... key assistant: ILM (as Mike Lessa)
Ellen E. Lichtwardt .... assistant animator: ILM (as Ellen Lichtwardt)
Mike MacKenzie .... electronic engineer: ILM
Jeff Mann .... model maker: ILM
Kim Marks .... first assistant camera: ILM
Scott Marshall .... model maker: ILM
Cristi McCarthy .... electronic coordinator: ILM (as Christi McCarthy)
Roberto McGrath .... still photographer: ILM
John McLeod .... stage technician: ILM
Marghi McMahon .... model maker: ILM (as Marghe McMahon)
Duncan Meyers .... optical technician: ILM
Ted Moehnke .... supervising stage technician: ILM
Jack Mongovan .... assistant animator: ILM
Thaine Morris .... stage technician: ILM
Lisa Jean Mower .... special wardrobe: ILM
Bill Neil .... effects cameraman: ILM
Bruce Nicholson .... optical photography supervisor: ILM
Kerry Nordquist .... still photographer: ILM
Ease Owyeung .... model maker: ILM
Udo Pampel .... machinist: ILM
Michael Pangrazio .... matte painting supervisor: ILM
Paula Paulson .... special wire performance: ILM
Lorne Peterson .... modelshop supervisor: ILM
Gary Platek .... laser and cloud effects: ILM
Chris Rand .... apprentice machinist: ILM
Bruce Richardson .... model maker: ILM
Nilo Rodis-Jamero .... effects art director: ILM (as Nilo Rodis)
Pete Romano .... first assistant camera: ILM (as Peter Romano)
Thomas Rosseter .... optical line-up: ILM (as Tom Rosseter)
Michael Shannon .... additional matte photographer: ILM
Kathy Shine .... production secretary: ILM
Grant Smith .... model maker: ILM
Michael Smith .... equipment maintenance: ILM
Thomas G. Smith .... production supervisor: ILM (as Tom Smith)
David Sosalla .... model maker: ILM (as Dave Sosalla)
Howard Stein .... visual effects editor: ILM
Peter Stolz .... stage technician: ILM
Mitch Suskin .... visual effects coordinator
Larry Tan .... model maker: ILM
Ed Tennler .... draftsman: ILM
Marc Thorpe .... model maker: ILM
Peggy Tonkonogy .... assistant animator: ILM
Mark Vargo .... optical printer operator: ILM
Jim Veilleux .... camera additional scenes: ILM
Laurie Vermont .... production coordinator: ILM
Art Vitello .... key animator: ILM
Gary Waller .... first assistant camera: ILM (as Garry Waller)
Gene Whiteman .... equipment engineering supervisor: ILM
Bess Wiley .... electronic technician: ILM (as Bessie Wiley)
Terry Windell .... animator: ILM
Jammie Friday .... rotoscope (uncredited)
 
Stunts
Jeannie Epper .... stunts (as Jean Epper)
Cindy Folkerson .... stunts
Dana Gendian .... stunts
Jaimi Gendian .... stunts
Bob Herron .... stunts
Beth Nufer .... stunts
Glenn Randall Jr. .... stunt coordinator
Felix Silla .... stunts
George P. Wilbur .... stunts (as George Wilbur)
Bob Yerkes .... stunts
Bobby Clark .... stunts (uncredited)
Donna Garrett .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Waters .... stunts (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Mark Averill .... dolly grip
Pat Blymyer .... gaffer
Hugo Cortina .... best boy
Tommy Klines .... second assistant camera (as Tom Klines)
John R. Leonetti .... first assistant camera (as John Leonetti)
John J. Linder .... key grip (as John Linder)
Dennis Matsuda .... camera operator
Bruce McBroom .... still photographer
Bruce Hill .... ultra high speed photography (uncredited)
Albert Hood .... electrician (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Charles DeMuth .... costumer: men
Ann Gray Lambert .... costume supervisor (as Ann Lambert)
Buffy Snyder .... costumer: women
 
Editorial Department
Albert Coleman .... assistant editor
Rick Fields .... associate editor (as R. Fields)
Mel Friedman .... assistant editor
Bob McMillian .... color timer
Brian Ralph .... negative cutter
 
Music Department
Kenneth Hall .... music editor (as Ken Hall)
Arthur Morton .... orchestrator
Harry V. Lojewski .... music supervisor (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Gary Hellerstein .... transportation coordinator
 
Other crew
Richard L. Calkins .... rip's owner & trainer
Don Levy .... unit publicist
Gerald Moore .... craft service (as Jerry Moore)
Jerry Moore .... craft service
Paul Pav .... location manager
Janice Pober .... assistant: Mr. Spielberg
Christopher Reynolds .... production associate
Patty Rumph .... assistant: Mr. Marshall
Daphne Stacey .... assistant: Mr. Hooper
Marion Tumen .... script supervisor
Beverly Webb .... production coordinator
Denise Durham .... assistant: Ms. Kennedy (uncredited)
Dixie Fusillo .... production accountant (uncredited)
Randee Lynne Jensen .... substitute production coordinator (uncredited)
Kevin King .... payroll accountant (uncredited)
Theresa Shepherd .... caterer (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:12 | Netherlands:16 | Italy:VM14 | Australia:PG (TV rating) | UK:15 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:-16 | Norway:15 | Norway:16 (1982) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | USA:PG (re-rating after appeal) | USA:R (original rating) | West Germany:16 | Brazil:14
Filming Locations:
4267 Roxbury Street, Forest Hills, Simi Valley, California, USA more
Company:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
[WILHELM SCREAM] When Carol Anne's mother changes the channel on the kitchen TV from static to Go for Broke! (1951), one of the soldiers screams. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Carol Anne's bedroom door has six panels, but in the hall way when Diane Freeling was walking, all the doors were plain with no design. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Carol Anne: Hello? What do you look like? Talk louder, I can't hear you! Hey, hello! Hello, I can't hear you! Five. Yes. Yes. I don't know. I don't know.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Ritana (2002) more
Soundtrack:
The Star-Spangled Banner more

FAQ

Why doesn't Tangina just send the ghosts into the light?
Why did the tree go after Robbie when the poltergeists were really after Carol Anne?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more

User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
9 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
My favorite film experience, 20 March 2007
10/10
Author: ray-280 from Philadelphia

I noticed that IMDb lists the release dates for films, and laughed here because I could never forget Friday, June 4, 1982, my last day in tenth grade, and about my tenth date with the exceptionally pretty and wonderful young lady I dated throughout most of high school. The weather was perfect, and I took my ladyfriend out for a nice lunch and a walk down Broadway in search of a movie. ET had been the hyped Spielberg film of that summer, but this one was already out, and the thought of a horrified hottie clinging to me for dear life (or vice versa) was irresistible. Poltergeist it was.

Like all Spielberg films, one will not find many weaknesses. The plot will be engaging, the visuals stunning, the acting excellent, and the overall experience first-class. This film did not disappoint.

The restrospectively amusing casting of Craig T. Nelson in the lead. Notable supporting cast include the late Dominique Dunne and the late Healther O'Rourke, both of whom would die tragically in 1988 and 1982, respectively, the earlier by domestic violence and the latter by illness. The loss to Hollywood is still felt to this day as each would likely have Oscars by now. The cast of competent, moderately known talents provided a strong yet muted substance to the special-effects stylings for which Spielberg became so famous.

As I settled in with my date to watch the film, I was equally enthralled both by her touch and the screen. From the moment O'Rourke uttered the to-this-day-chilling "They're here!!," through the amusing plot twist that explains the hauntings (a certain home developer forgot to do something with the gravesite that had previously existed on the land and apparently ticked off some spirits), though the death, destruction, and absolute terror experienced by the hapless protagonist family.

I will never again be fifteen, never again experience the deep cuts to the heart that come with teenage desire, never again wonder if maybe those horror movies could happen in real life, never again will experience the thrill of not having school or any other responsibilities for the next three months, and will never again be as vital or physically capable as I was so effortlessly back then, but to have had that even once, all at the same time, in the greatest city in the world, was absolutely awesome.

Whatever might have been wrong with my life at that age simply did not exist in that theater, during that film, with that date. Anything less than a perfect film would have spoiled what was literally a perfect day. It didn't.

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