The 1982 horror film Poltergeist, directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, became an iconic piece of cinematic history. Known for its terrifying storyline, unforgettable special effects, and chilling moments, it also gained infamy for a darker question: Did the movie use real skeletons? The unsettling rumor has persisted for decades, but what is the truth behind this spine-chilling claim? In this article, we explore the mystery surrounding the use of real skeletons in Poltergeist and delve into the stories that have fueled the urban legend.
The Poltergeist Legacy: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the skeleton controversy, let’s take a quick look at the film itself. Poltergeist tells the story of the Freelings, an ordinary suburban family whose peaceful existence is disrupted when malevolent spirits begin haunting their home. With eerie supernatural occurrences and unsettling imagery, the film became a hallmark of 1980s horror, blending Spielberg’s signature storytelling with Hooper’s direction to create a truly terrifying experience.
The Skeleton Rumor: Where Did It All Start?
The speculation that Poltergeist used real human skeletons can be traced back to the film’s most infamous scene — the one involving the creepy pool of dead bodies. In the scene, the Freelings’ backyard pool is overtaken by a sea of corpses that rise from beneath the water. This scene, one of the film’s most disturbing, was executed with a combination of special effects and practical props. However, many viewers have long speculated that the skeletons used in this scene were real.
This idea was further fueled by the fact that at the time, movie studios often used inexpensive props like real skeletons to save money. In the 1980s, it was not unusual for filmmakers to source human remains from legitimate medical supply companies, which would later be used in various films. But was Poltergeist among the movies that used these real skeletons?
The Truth Behind the Skeletons
The rumor of real skeletons on set was first sparked by the film’s special effects supervisor, Craig Reardon, who revealed in interviews that the skeletons used in Poltergeist were indeed real. Reardon, who worked on the film’s visual effects, confirmed that the crew did use actual human skeletons in some scenes. This admission stoked the fire of conspiracy theories and speculation that the use of real skeletons contributed to the “Poltergeist curse,” a series of tragic events and untimely deaths associated with the film’s cast and crew.
However, the true story behind the skeletons is more complicated than the simple rumor suggests. In a 1982 interview with Fangoria magazine, producer Steven Spielberg clarified that the skeletons used in the film were not intentionally chosen for their authenticity but were sourced from a company that sold them to Hollywood filmmakers. According to Spielberg, the company provided the skeletons for cheap, as they were originally meant for medical purposes but had been decommissioned. Therefore, while the skeletons may have been real, they were not obtained with malicious intent or as part of a sinister plot to create an authentic, eerie atmosphere.
The Poltergeist Curse
The use of real skeletons in Poltergeist has also become part of the larger “Poltergeist curse” narrative. Over the years, there have been a number of tragic and mysterious deaths associated with the cast, leading to widespread speculation that these events were somehow connected to the dark energy surrounding the film. The most famous example of this curse is the death of Heather O’Rourke, the young actress who played Carol Anne Freeling. O’Rourke tragically died at the age of 12 due to a misdiagnosed bowel obstruction, shortly after completing filming for the third installment of the series.
Other cast members, including Dominique Dunne, who played the eldest Freeling daughter, and Lou Perryman, who had a minor role in the film, also met untimely deaths. These tragedies, coupled with the use of real skeletons, fueled rumors that the production of Poltergeist had somehow invoked a curse. While many of these deaths can be attributed to natural causes or tragic accidents, the story of the “Poltergeist curse” continues to captivate horror fans.
Conclusion: Did Poltergeist Use Real Skeletons?
The answer to the question of whether Poltergeist used real skeletons is yes, but with some important clarifications. While the skeletons used in the infamous pool scene were indeed real human remains, they were not chosen for their authenticity in a sinister attempt to add to the film’s eeriness. Instead, they were obtained from a legitimate supplier, and they were not sourced with any malevolent intent.
Though the idea of real skeletons adds an extra layer of creepiness to the film, it’s important to view this piece of cinematic history with the understanding that it was a product of its time, when such practices were not uncommon in the film industry. Despite the dark rumors, Poltergeist remains a masterclass in horror filmmaking, and its legacy endures as one of the scariest films of all time.
As for the Poltergeist curse? That, like the movie itself, remains a chilling piece of Hollywood lore — one that continues to fascinate fans and keep the legend alive for new generations.
