A newly struck 35mm print of Poltergeist, the 1982 supernatural classic about the horrors of television — well, sort of — will screen as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' "Prime Tech" series on Thursday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.
Hosted by Don Shay, founder and publisher of Cinefex magazine, the program will feature an onstage panel discussion with producer Frank Marshall, supervising sound editors Stephen Hunter Flick and Richard L. Anderson, visual effects supervisor Richard Edlund, optical photography supervisor Bruce Nicholson, matte photographer Neil J. Krepela, and special effects makeup artist Craig Reardon.
Though directed by Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist looks and feels like a Steven Spielberg flick. How come? Well, perhaps it's because Spielberg did co-produce the film with Frank Marshall.
At the time — I actually saw Poltergeist when it came out — the film scared the hell out of me. I had nightmares for weeks. (Or so it seems, looking back.) Although I continue to be a total wimp when it comes to horror movies, I wonder if Poltergeist wouldhave the same impact on me today. Much like Spielberg's recent War of the Worlds, which is even less scary than a ladybug, the glossy Poltergeist has precious little atmosphere. (I watched parts of it recently.) Its frights are almost all a result of loud sound effects and unexpected apparitions. Stick a finger in your ear, and the spookiness is gone.
A bad movie for the enjoyment of teenagers who can scream while grabbing their dates' private parts? Perhaps. Perhaps it's better than that. One of these days I'll rewatch the whole thing from beginning to end.
Poltergeist stars Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams (right, hanging on to dear life), Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Heather O'Rourke, Oliver Robins, and, stealing every scene, Zelda Rubinstein. The plot — what little there is — revolves around a Spielberg-ish suburban American couple with three children, whose home is visited by some unexpected, rude guests.
The film was — deservedly — nominated for Academy Awards for Music — Original Score (Jerry Goldsmith), Sound Effects Editing (Flick, Anderson) and Visual Effects (Edlund, Michael Wood, Nicholson).
The "Prime Tech" screening series, presented by the Academy's Science and Technology Council, showcases Oscar-nominated and winning films that have been recognized in at least one technical category. Panel discussions illuminate the art of filmmaking from a science and technology perspective, examining how technical elements can augment a film's narrative capabilities and enrich the overall viewing experience.
Tickets to Poltergeist are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office, or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.
The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available through the entrance on Homewood Avenue (one block north of Fountain Avenue). For additional information, visit www.oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.
Photos: Courtesy of the Margaret Herrick Library
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