I was reading the news articles today on Yahoo, and I found out that Zelda Rubinstein died from complications, after suffering a heart attack only two months ago. She was only 76 years-old. She is probably best known for her part in one of my favorite movies, for its time, “Poltergeist..” She played the medium that cleansed the house at the end of the movie, Tangina Barrons. I remember her very distinctive voice as she said, “This house is clean!” She played in many other parts on shows like “Picket Fences” and “Under the Rainbow.” She was 47 when she got her first part, which is a little old to start and acting career. She was only 4 ft. 3 inches tall, and had a unique look to her, and I always loved her part in the movie “Poltergeist.” One thing that I did not know, was that there was supposedly a “curse” on the whole “Poltergeist” movie. It was kind of like the Bruce Lee curse, but worse. Several actors died from the time of the first movie in 1982 to the last in 1988.
Dominique Dunne, who played the eldest daughter, was strangled by her abusive boyfriend in her driveway when she refused to reconcile with him in 1982. She was only 22 years-old.
Heather O’Rourke was the youngest daughter in the movie, and in she became ill in 1987 and was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease. She had actually had a bowel obstruction which caused her to become septic, and died when she went in to cardiac arrest during her surgery.
Will Sampson, died in 1987 at the age of 53. He was ill prior to the filming of Poltergeist. He was in need of a kidney transplant, and died of kidney failure.
Julian Beck had a major role in Poltergeist II, and was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1983, and died two years later at the age of 60.
Lou Perry was murdered at his home in South Austin, Texas, in 2009.
I guess most of these can be labeled coincidence, but during those few years between 1982 and 1988 they are not so sure. They call it the “Polergeist” curse……Rest In Peace, Zelda!
When I was in elementary school I remember we had a field trip to the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, California. I remember the interior was really quite beautiful, and made me think of a castle, or palace. The Pantages is located at 6233 Hollywood, Blvd, and yes, it is haunted. The theater was originally completed in the 1930’s, and was a stage theater. In 1949, it was purchased by Howard Hughes, and it became part of old RKO Pictures, and it was turned into a movie screen theater. In 1967, it was purchased by Pacific Theaters, and was then turned back into an all stage theater, and the Broadway Touring Company performed there. There is a reason for me giving you all of this information before we talk about the hauntings, and I am getting to that…..lol.
Since 1932, there has been a woman spirit that visits when the theater is dark and quiet. She is believed to be a woman who was a patron, and who also had dreams of becoming a performer, died during one of the performances. They say her singing can be heard, day or night. Once, during a performance in 1994, her voice was picked up during a live performance, and they said she was singing along with the performers.
Howard Hughes, supposedly haunts the second floor in and around what used to be his office, and is now a large conference room. Employees have reported cold spots, and sudden passing of air, like someone walking by. Twice, there have been reports of a tall male entity, walking around the corner to what used to be his office, and sometimes there is even the scent of a smoke.
Alexander Pantages, was a very gentlemanly man, and his ghost is said to have helped an older employee of the theater, after she fell down in the theater when it was dark, and she could not see. Apparently, he took her by the arm and escorted her to the door and when she turned the lights on to thank him, there was no one to be found.
I did not experience any paranormal activity while I was there, but it sure would be fun to go back, and see what I could find now.
I am currently out watching Daybreakers, be back soon with a review……
Okay, so I went in not expecting much, and definitely not expecting to be impressed, but wow! The movie was much better than I ever imagined. The acting, the special effects, the whole plot, and the way it was all put together what amazing. It was in no way cheesy, but was quite bloody, which I don’t mind. Ethan Hawke and Willem Defoe were awesome, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that I actually enjoyed the movie. I mean, I so seldom am ever excited by a movie, and then remain excited after I’ve seen it…..literally never happens for me. Take “Paranormal Activity” it was good, but I was a little disappointed with the ending. It really hit too close to home for me at the time, so that probably helped it. Anyway, back to “Daybreakers”…..I have been reading the reviews and once I saw how it rated with both critics and viewers, I knew that it would be good. Usually, these types of movies rate very low by the critics, but both viewers and critics gave it an A-, which to me is great! I really liked that they changed the whole idea of the old vampire stories, and made it modern and believable by turning vampirism into a virus. I really think it is worth the money to go an see it in the theater, if for nothing else but the big dark theater, surround sound, and the popcorn of course. I even went to see it during the matinee hours and it only cost us $11.00 total. I had to sneak in a Kit-Kat bar and some sweetarts though. I have to say, that this is by far one of the best movies of its kind, and not that I can really compare “Twilight” to this movie, but it totally blew “Twilight” away. I believe that it is still showing in theaters everywhere, and you really don’t want to miss this one. So if you are a vampire fanatic, love to watch scary and gory movies, then you really need to go and see this one. Loved it!
Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for since I saw the movie trailer for “Daybreakers.” I am so excited about this movie, and for my birthday, on Saturday, I would really love to go and see it, hint, hint. I love everything about vampires, including scary vampire movies, and even books. I have told my husband that if I ever met a vampire, he had better watch out….lol. The book series “Twilight” was absolutely wonderful. I read “Twilight” in four days, “New Moon” in 3 days, and “Eclipse” in four days too. I was so upset that I did not have another book to read. Anyway, “Daybreakers” is going to be good, I just know it! The movie trailers give away more of the movie than I am going to, but here goes, the movie takes place in the year 2019, and most of the human population is infected by a virus that causes them to turn into vampires. The vampires start farming the remaining humans for their blood, and the blood supply begins to diminish, as does the unaffected human population. Ethan Hawks’s character discovers a cure for the vampire virus, and he tries to convince them to become human again. The vampires become offended, because they like what they have become. The vampires don’t believe there is anything to cure, and well, I am sure there is going to be a lot of blood shed, guns, and fighting, the battle of the vampires and what little is left of the human population. Anyway, I found yet another movie trailer for it on YouTube and I am posting it here for you to watch. I really can’t wait to see it, and I know that I am not going to be disappointed.
I saw “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in 1993, at the movie theater with my young son. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The story is wonderful, and the music is amazing, and how could it not be when it was all done by Danny Elfman. I think maybe it was because it took a different, and scary approach to Christmas, and I love anything scary. Anyway, this is scarygeek’s favorite scary Christmas movie ever. I found this trailer on YouTube, if you haven’t seen it yet, it is worth the rental. Enjoy!
