For JoBeth Williams, starring in Poltergeist alongside an all-star cast, it was Spielberg who made the horror classic. Her initial response to being offered the role? "Is it horror?" She wasn't a fan of the genre, having been "a nervous Nellie" when it came to frights.
However, after meeting Spielberg and reading the script, she discovered that the film boasted a strong family at its core, as well as several powerful female characters. This included Dr Lesh, played by the incomparable Beatrice Straight, which would be Williams' first movie role.
Filming was an improvisational affair, with the cast cracking jokes and having fun even when cameras were rolling. Craig T Nelson, who starred alongside Williams as her husband, had a stand-up comedy background that proved invaluable during scenes where the couple is smoking pot in bed.
The youngest member of the cast, Heather O'Rourke, just five years old at the time, yet bringing an eerie intuition to the role of Carol Anne. Her co-star recalls: "If I cried, she'd cry too...She was such a trooper."
Filming's most iconic sequence - Diane getting dragged across the bed and up the wall by an invisible force? It took several takes to get right, with the cameraman being strapped to a rotating set that made him feel like he was on a ferris wheel.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Spielberg waded into chest-deep water, reassuring Williams: "If you get electrocuted, it'll kill me too." That scene would later prove terrifying for viewers as well - featuring real skeletons surrounding Diane after her dramatic fall into the pool.
One of the most surprising facts about Poltergeist? The special effects team had to use real skeletons in that pivotal scene. Fortunately, no one's electrical system was electrocuted on set, but some did feel uneasy when they witnessed how such scenes were brought to life.
Other memorable moments from the film include a chilling shot of Marty (played by Martin Casella) seeing an inchworm-like creature crawling along his kitchen counter, or a scene in which Williams' character hallucinates clawing off her own face.
This was also an era before the PG-13 rating existed - and some scenes had to be significantly altered due to content deemed too intense for younger audiences. In the end, Poltergeist emerged as a masterpiece that would cement its place as a horror classic.
However, after meeting Spielberg and reading the script, she discovered that the film boasted a strong family at its core, as well as several powerful female characters. This included Dr Lesh, played by the incomparable Beatrice Straight, which would be Williams' first movie role.
Filming was an improvisational affair, with the cast cracking jokes and having fun even when cameras were rolling. Craig T Nelson, who starred alongside Williams as her husband, had a stand-up comedy background that proved invaluable during scenes where the couple is smoking pot in bed.
The youngest member of the cast, Heather O'Rourke, just five years old at the time, yet bringing an eerie intuition to the role of Carol Anne. Her co-star recalls: "If I cried, she'd cry too...She was such a trooper."
Filming's most iconic sequence - Diane getting dragged across the bed and up the wall by an invisible force? It took several takes to get right, with the cameraman being strapped to a rotating set that made him feel like he was on a ferris wheel.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Spielberg waded into chest-deep water, reassuring Williams: "If you get electrocuted, it'll kill me too." That scene would later prove terrifying for viewers as well - featuring real skeletons surrounding Diane after her dramatic fall into the pool.
One of the most surprising facts about Poltergeist? The special effects team had to use real skeletons in that pivotal scene. Fortunately, no one's electrical system was electrocuted on set, but some did feel uneasy when they witnessed how such scenes were brought to life.
Other memorable moments from the film include a chilling shot of Marty (played by Martin Casella) seeing an inchworm-like creature crawling along his kitchen counter, or a scene in which Williams' character hallucinates clawing off her own face.
This was also an era before the PG-13 rating existed - and some scenes had to be significantly altered due to content deemed too intense for younger audiences. In the end, Poltergeist emerged as a masterpiece that would cement its place as a horror classic.
we were driving around this super cute town in the middle of nowhere and stumbled upon this tiny vintage shop 
it had the weirdest collection of antique door knobs I'd ever seen, but what really caught my eye was a set of old film cameras on display... got me thinking about how Spielberg's use of practical effects in Poltergeist adds so much to the tension and believability of the film 
it's amazing how something as simple as a rotating camera rig can create this sense of unease... anyway, back to those door knobs...
. Think about it, Spielberg was known for his clever marketing tricks back then and this film is no exception. I mean, have you noticed how the release of this film coincided with a major shift in parental controls? It's like he wanted to capitalize on the changing landscape of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema.
. Coincidence? I don't think so. The way she just... vanished from this world is still sending shivers down my spine. It's like she was taken by something sinister. You can almost imagine the skeletons in Spielberg's closet, right? 
. What if it wasn't just for the sake of authenticity but to...unsettle us on some level? And have you noticed how the film's themes of family and trauma are still relevant today? It's like Spielberg was tapping into something deeper, something that went beyond just entertainment.
. Mark my words, this film is more than just a classic horror movie... it's a cultural phenomenon waiting to happen 
! I mean, can you imagine having to do multiple takes just to get a scene right? And Spielberg being so supportive and reassuring - "If you get electrocuted, it'll kill me too" 
. I also love that the cast was able to keep their cool and have fun on set, even during intense scenes. It makes you appreciate how much of a role improv plays in making this film so memorable. And it's wild to think about how some scenes had to be altered due to the PG rating not existing back then 
. Anyway, Poltergeist is still giving us nightmares 30+ years later 
.
Spielberg is literally insane with how much he went all in on that film 
. The fact that he was reassuring JoBeth Williams not to worry if she got electrocuted because it'd kill him too 
. I also love how the cast was all about having fun on set, it makes you appreciate their chemistry even more 
. Can't they just be more concise? Anyway, back to Poltergeist... I love how Spielberg made the film feel like it was all about the family's struggles with their home being haunted. It's not just some spooky movie for the sake of spookiness 
. And I'm intrigued by how much improvisation went on during filming - I mean, who knew Craig T Nelson could bring so much comedy to a horror flick? 
. no wonder she felt more at ease and delivered a killer performance (pun intended 
. anywayz, Poltergeist is just a masterpiece all around 
. but what I find fascinating is how the film showcased a strong female lead and supporting cast - Dr Lesh, Carol Anne, and even Diane all have such empowering storylines that make you root for them 
. also love how the crew had so much fun during filming, it really shows in the final product 
. And don't even get me started on the fact that some of these scenes had to be altered because of content being too intense for younger audiences... it's like, if you're gonna do something scary, own it 
. And what's up with all the improv comedy moments? It felt like they were more interested in making people laugh than actually building tension for scares 
. I mean, I get that Spielberg is a legend and all, but sometimes less is more, right? 
. The way Spielberg brought out the family dynamic was so relatable, you felt like you were right there with them, screaming and running away from the ghosts 
. But what's wild is how the special effects team actually used real skeletons in some of those scenes... talk about immersion! 
anyway back to Poltergeist, what's up with the production design on that haunted house? it looks so retro & eerie 
She was like nervous Nellie at first but then she got on board w/ the cast & Spielberg's vision. And omg that scene w/ Diane getting dragged up the wall was SO intense even w/ all the takes lol. Heard that real skeletons were used in that scene too which is CRAZY! I'm glad no 1 got hurt tho 
Five years old and already bringing this level of intensity to her role is just mind-blowing. The way Spielberg and the cast had fun during filming, even in scary scenes, makes me want to go back and watch Poltergeist all over again. And those special effects? Wild! Using real skeletons for that iconic scene was totally insane. I'm loving how some of these behind-the-scenes stories are still so fresh and fascinating even 35+ years later