Unveiling the Enigmatic and Chilling Events on the "Poltergeist" Movie Set
- katlefaybooks
- Jul 7, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

In 1982, the horror film "Poltergeist" took the world by storm, captivating audiences with its haunting tale. However, what many are unaware of are the unexplained and eerie incidents that transpired during the movie's production. Join us as we delve into the strange and paranormal experiences on the set of "Poltergeist," adding an extra layer of mystery to this iconic horror masterpiece.
During the filming of a pivotal scene featuring JoBeth Williams, who portrayed a character under attack by a ghostly apparition in a swimming pool, an inexplicable event occurred. As Williams was being pulled underwater by a mechanical device, she suddenly felt an alarming sensation of being strangled. With the crew swiftly rescuing her, gasping for air, the incident left a lasting impact, leaving everyone bewildered by the unexplained occurrence.
The presence of a clown doll in the film added an extra layer of terror. The doll was rumored to be cursed, requiring it to be kept separate from the rest of the set. If you’ve seen the film, you’ll likely agree it has a haunting presence in the film. Crew members recounted chilling encounters with the doll, claiming it would move autonomously and even change its facial expression when unobserved. One crew member went so far as to describe an alleged attack, where the doll attempted to strangle him, further deepening the enigma surrounding its eerie nature.
The strange occurrences on the "Poltergeist" set extended beyond individual incidents. Lights flickered inexplicably, equipment malfunctioned without logical cause, and inexplicable cold spots manifested out of thin air. Numerous accounts from crew members even detailed sightings of ghostly apparitions roaming the set, blurring the lines between the physical and the ethereal.
As the film was completed and achieved tremendous success, the inexplicable events on the "Poltergeist" movie set continue to captivate our curiosity. The bizarre encounters that unfolded during filming, from the disturbing incident in the swimming pool to the haunted clown doll and other unexplained phenomena, forever etch themselves into the annals of the paranormal. Whether it was a convergence of parallel worlds or the manifestation of the spirits from the film's narrative, the inexplicable events on the "Poltergeist" set add a layer of chilling intrigue to this iconic horror classic, leaving us with an indelible sense of the uncanny.
If you’ve ever wondered what the inspiration for the film was, it stemmed from a collaboration between director Tobe Hooper and producer/co-writer Steven Spielberg. Spielberg had a fascination with the paranormal and had been exploring the idea of a haunted house film. Inspired by his own experiences with strange phenomena and ghost stories, Spielberg envisioned a story centered around a suburban family being terrorized by malevolent spirits.
Drawing from their shared interest in the supernatural, Spielberg and Hooper developed the concept further, infusing it with elements of family dynamics and the fear of the unknown. The film's screenplay, penned by Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, transformed these ideas into a compelling narrative that resonated with audiences, ultimately resulting in the creation of the acclaimed horror film, "Poltergeist."
If you’ve never seen the film, it’s a timeless masterpiece for paranormal horror film lovers that’s sure to send a spine-tingling chill down your back. You might even sleep with the lights on.
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