Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers:

Michael Grais (written by)
Mark Victor (written by)

Release Date:

23 May 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

They're back.

Plot:

The Freeling family have a new house, but their troubles with supernatural forces don't seem to be over.

Plot Keywords:

Psychic | Native American | Car Trouble | Cemetery | Girl

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

JoBeth Williams	...	Diane Freeling (as Jobeth Williams)
Craig T. Nelson	...	Steve Freeling
Heather O'Rourke	...	Carol Anne Freeling
Oliver Robins	...	Robbie Freeling
Zelda Rubinstein	...	Tangina Barrons
Will Sampson	...	Taylor
Julian Beck	...	Kane
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Gramma-Jess
John P. Whitecloud	...	Old Indian
Noble Craig	...	Vomit Creature
Susan Peretz	...	Daughter
Helen Boll	...	Mother
Kelly Jean Peters	...	Young Jess
Jaclyn-Rose Lester	...	Young Diane (as Jaclyn Bernstein)
Robert Lesser	...	Kane's People
Jamie Abbott	...	Kane's People
Ann Louise Bardach	...	Kane's People
Syd Beard	...	Kane's People
David Beaman	...	Kane's People
Hayley Taylor	...	Kane's People (as Hayley Taylor-Block)
Pamela Gordon	...	Kane's People
Chelsea Hertford	...	Kane's People
Whit Hertford	...	Kane's People (as Whitby Hertford)
Rocky Krakoff	...	Kane's People
Carrie Lorraine	...	Kane's People
Kathy Wagner	...	Kane's People
Bill Schroeder	...	Kane's People

Directed by
Brian Gibson

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Michael Grais		written by
Mark Victor		written by

Produced by
Lynn Arost	....	associate producer
Freddie Fields	....	executive producer
Michael Grais	....	producer
Mark Victor	....	producer

Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith

Cinematography by
Andrew Laszlo		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Thom Noble
Bud S. Smith		(uncredited)

Casting by
Joseph D'Agosta
Monica Swann

Production Design by
Ted Haworth

Set Decoration by
George R. Nelson

Costume Design by
April Ferry

Makeup Department
Lynda Gurasich	....	hair stylist
Ben Nye Jr.	....	makeup artist
Adam Hill	....	special makeup effects moldmaker: Boss Films (uncredited)

Production Management
Tom Joyner	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William S. Beasley	....	first assistant director
Regina Gordon	....	second assistant director

Art Department
William J. Durrell Jr.	....	assistant art director
H.R. Giger	....	conceptual artist
George Jenson	....	illustrator
Jerry Moss	....	property master
John J. Rutchland Jr.	....	construction coordinator (as John J. Rutchland)
John Alvin	....	poster artist (uncredited)
Roy Barnes	....	set designer (uncredited)
Greg Papalia	....	set designer (uncredited)
Mark Siegel	....	sculptor (uncredited)

Sound Department
Mary Andrews	....	adr editor
Michael J. Benavente	....	sound effects editor
Carlos Delarios	....	sound re-recording mixer
Susan Dudeck	....	sound editor
Scott Hecker	....	special sound effects editor
J. Paul Huntsman	....	supervising adr editor (as Paul Huntsman)
Michael J. Kohut	....	sound re-recording mixer
Howard Neiman	....	sound editor
Bob Newlan	....	sound effects editor
Al Overton	....	sound mixer
Aaron Rochin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert R. Rutledge	....	supervising sound effects editor
Frank Serafine	....	special sound effects designer
Charles Ewing Smith	....	sound editor (as Charles Smith)
Mark P. Stoeckinger	....	sound editor (as Mark Stoeckinger)
Marty Church	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Craig Harris	....	special sound designer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Larz Anderson	....	special effects technician: Boss Film Corporation
Randy Cabral	....	special effects technician: Boss Film Corporation
Daniel Hutten	....	special effects technician: Boss Film Corporation
Michael Lantieri	....	special effects coordinator
Robert Spurlock	....	head special effects technician: Boss Film Corporation
Brian Tipton	....	special effects: first unit
Charles Schneider	....	monster puppeteer (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Susan Alpert	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation (as Sue Alpert)
Susan Alpert	....	visual effects production assistant: Boss Film Corporation (as Sue Alpert)
Michael Backauskas	....	visual effects editor: Boss Film Corporation
Mat Beck	....	visual effects camera: Boss Film Corporation (as Matt Beck)
Peter Berman	....	first assistant camera: Boss Film Corporation
Brent Boates	....	production illustrator: Boss Film Corporation
Dale Brady	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
John Bruno	....	visual effects art director: Boss Film Corporation
Theresa Burkett	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Roberto Carlos	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Craig Caton	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Glenn Chaika	....	visual effects animator: Boss Film Corporation
Nancy Cipes	....	visual effects production assistant: Boss Film Corporation
Mike Cobos	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Randall William Cook	....	creatures creator: Boss Film Corporation
Charles Cowles	....	optical camera operator: Boss Film Corporation
Margaret Craig-Chang	....	visual effects assistant animator: Boss Film Corporation
Ken Dudderar	....	visual effects precision cinetechnician: Boss Film Corporation
Richard Edlund	....	visual effects supervisor
Leslie Ekker	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation
Robert Eyslee	....	chief lighting technician: Boss Film Corporation
Ed Felix	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Eric Fiedler	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Paulette C. Fine	....	visual effects accountant: Boss Film Corporation (as Paulette Fine)
Eddie Garcia	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Deborah Gaydos	....	visual effects assistant animator: Boss Film Corporation (as Deborah Ann Gaydos)
Screaming Mad George	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Ron Gress	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation
Alan Harding	....	optical camera operator: Boss Film Corporation
Rebecca Heskes	....	visual effects technical animator: Boss Film Corporation (as Petrulli Heskes)
Renee Holt	....	visual effects assistant animator: Boss Film Corporation
Jeff Howard	....	visual effects animator: Boss Film Corporation
Jerry Jeffres	....	visual effects electronic: Boss Film Corporation
Steve Johnson	....	creatures creator: Boss Film Corporation
Ed Jones	....	optical lineup: Boss Film Corporation
Dave Kelsey	....	creature shop coordinator: Boss Film Corporation
Makio Kida	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Neil Krepela	....	matte department supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Brad Kuehn	....	optical lineup: Boss Film Corporation
Robin Dean Leyden	....	visual effects electronic: Boss Film Corporation (as Robin Leyden)
Mauro Maressa	....	visual effects animator: Boss Film Corporation
Mary Mason	....	optical coordinator: Boss Film Corporation
George E. Mather	....	production supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Dave Matherly	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Mark Matthew	....	visual effects precision cinetechnician: Boss Film Corporation
Pat McClung	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation
Richard Medina	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Dennis Michelson	....	visual effects editor: Boss Film Corporation
Henry Minski	....	visual effects first assistant camera: Boss Film Corporation
Virgil Mirano	....	still photographer: Boss Film Corporation
Michele Moen	....	matte artist: Boss Film Corporation
Ronald B. Moore	....	visual effects editorial consultant: Boss Film Corporation (as Ronald Moore)
Thaine Morris	....	special effects foreman: Boss Film Corporation
Bill Neil	....	director of photography: Boss Film Corporation
James Nelson	....	production advisor: Boss Film Corporation
Lisa Nielsen	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Roberto Olivas	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation (as Bobby Olivas)
Clint Palmer	....	first assistant camera: Boss Film Corporation (as Clinton Palmer)
Samuel E. Recinos	....	visual effects technical animator: Boss Film Corporation (as Samuel Recinos)
Chris Regan	....	optical lineup: Boss Film Corporation
Peggy Regan	....	visual effects animator: Boss Film Corporation
Pat Repola	....	lab technician: Boss Film Corporation (as Patrick Repola)
Pete Romano	....	camera operator: Boss Film Corporation
Richard Ruiz	....	effects chief moldmaker: Boss Film Corporation
Jon Schreiber	....	visual effects production assistant: Boss Film Corporation
Dennis Schultz	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation
Nick Seldon	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation (as Nicholas Seldon)
David Shwartz	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation
Mark Siegel	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Paul Skylar	....	model maker: Boss Film Corporation
Richard Snell	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Mark Stetson	....	model shop supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Wayne Strong	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation
Annick Therrien	....	visual effects technical animation supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Lynda Thompson	....	visual effects production coordinator: Boss Film Corporation (as Lynda Lemon)
Eusebio Torres	....	visual effects assistant animator: Boss Film Corporation
Patrick Van Auken	....	key grip: Boss Film Corporation
Mark Vargo	....	optical supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Garry Waller	....	special project supervisor: Boss Film Corporation
Joni Waller	....	visual effects production assistant: Boss Film Corporation (as Joni Harding)
Mary E. Walter	....	optical lineup: Boss Film Corporation (as Mary Walter)
Mark West	....	visual effects design engineer: Boss Film Corporation
Charles Whiteman	....	visual effects chief engineer: Boss Film Corporation
Robert Wilcox	....	visual effects electronic: Boss Film Corporation
Bess Wiley	....	matte camera assistant: Boss Film Corporation
Steven Willis	....	creature crew: Boss Film Corporation (as Steve Willis)
Mark Bryan Wilson	....	first technician: Boss Film Corporation (as Mark Wilson)
Terry Windell	....	production illustrator: Boss Film Corporation
Stefanie Wiseman	....	assistant camera: Boss Film Corporation
Matthew Yuricich	....	chief matte artist: Boss Film Corporation (as Matt Yuricich)
Randy Algoe	....	visual effects (uncredited)
Dave Chamberlain	....	model shop production assistant: Boss Film Corporation (uncredited)
Craig Clark	....	assistant special effects animator (uncredited)
Douglas A. Raine	....	visual effects liason (uncredited)
Paul Van Camp	....	software programmer (uncredited)

Stunts
Bill Couch	....	stunt coordinator
Dana Dru Evenson	....	stunts
Denise Feir	....	stunts
Deirdre Flynn	....	stunts
Jerry Gatlin	....	stunts
Brooke Hudson	....	stunts
Vickie Miller	....	stunts
Beth Nufer	....	stunts
Deep Roy	....	stunts
Desiree Szabo	....	stunts
George P. Wilbur	....	stunt coordinator
George P. Wilbur	....	stunts
Celia Bond	....	stunts (uncredited)
Laura Dash	....	stunt double (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Larry Barbier	....	still photographer
Leonard Lookabaugh	....	key grip (as Len Lookabaugh)
Robert Marta	....	camera operator
Don Nygren	....	chief lighting technician
Cindy Clark	....	camera trainee (uncredited)
Larry Hezzelwood	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Judy Courtney	....	additional casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
April Ferry	....	costume supervisor
Mort Schwartz	....	key costumer

Editorial Department
Joan E. Chapman	....	assistant editor
Patricia A. Galvin	....	assistant editor (as Patricia Galvin)
Bob Kaiser	....	color timer (as Robert Kaiser)

Music Department
Bruce Botnick	....	score mixer
Kenneth Hall	....	music editor
Harry V. Lojewski	....	music supervisor
Arthur Morton	....	orchestrator
James Thatcher	....	musician: French horn (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Fred Culbertson	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Terry Barrile	....	paranormal researcher
Richard L. Calkins	....	animal trainer (as Richard Calkins)
Allen Cappuccilli	....	assistant: Ronald Moore, Boss Film Corporation
Jill Cook	....	psychiatric advisor
P.K. Fields	....	assistant to producer
Marcia 'Mavis' Girard	....	script supervisor (as Marcia [Mavis] Girard)
Tom Guido	....	assistant: Mr. Fields
Robert Lesser	....	production associate
Mindy Rothstein	....	production administrator: Boss Film Corporation
Kevin Ryerson	....	consultant: paranormal phenomena
Dana Miller Schornstein	....	assistant production coordinator: Boss Film Corporation
Bill Sheinberg	....	production associate
Claire Wilson	....	assistant: Richard Edlund, Boss Film Corporation
Dixie Fusillo	....	production accountant (uncredited)
Estelle Sakabinos	....	assistant: Mr. Gibson (uncredited)
Patricia A. Shaw	....	assistant: Messrs. Victor and Grais (uncredited)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1986) (USA) (theatrical)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1996) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1986) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Esselte Video (1980s) (Finland) (VHS)
• Gativideo (198?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1987) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1992) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Boss Film Studios

Other Companies

• Color House  photographic backgrounds
• Hanson & Schwam  public relations
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios  titles and opticals (as MGM)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios  re-recorded at
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Yamaha  digital keyboards

Also Known As:

"Poltergeist II" - USA (short title)

Runtime:

91 min | 130 min (original cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Peru:18 | Italy:VM14

Filming Locations:

1589 Homewood Dr., Altadena, California, USA

Trivia:

There is a supposed "Poltergeist Curse" surrounding the three films in the series. Actress Dominique Dunne was murdered by her boyfriend after finishing the first film. Actor Julian Beck died of stomach cancer after shooting the second film. Actress Heather O'Rourke died of a mystery case of intestinal stenosis shortly before completion of the third film. Also, many cast members' careers have suffered after appearing in the films.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Robbie is gargling with mouth wash, in one scene, he immediately responds to Carol Ann's surprise without spitting or swallowing the mouth wash.

Quotes:

Carol Anne:So, after Alice fell down the hole, why'd she drink from that bottle?
Diane:Because it said, 'Drink me' on it.
Carol Anne:Oh. Were they gonna capture her... and take her someplace bad?
Diane:Yes, but Alice gets home alright, remember?
Carol Anne:Did she know why they wanted to hurt her?
Diane:I don't think so, honey.
Carol Anne:'Cause I know.
Diane:You know what?
Carol Anne:Why they're here.
Diane:Why, baby? Why are they here?
[...]

Movie Connections:

References E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Decent sequel overshadowed by poor post-production

I have seen this sequel to "Poltergeist" many times and have always enjoyed it as much as I did the first movie. You will find that most people who dislike this sequel do so for the simple fact that it's a "SEQUEL" to the original 1982 "Steven Spielberg" produced hit (surprise surprise!) and "Spielberg" was nowhere in sight this time around (so what!), not everybody cares about whether a big director is involved with a movie/sequel or not including myself.

The sequel is written & produced by "Mark Victor" & "Michael Grais" who co-wrote the original with "Steven Spielberg" and follows the doomed Freeling family four years after the original classic left off...

I have always regarded "Poltergeist II" as a worthy follow up with it's flaws (which it is) and can still not understand how this movie made it's way from a running time of "130" minutes down to a mere "91".

Its obviously down to MGM rushing the movie's production and ordering pathetic cuts. Some of this movie's editing is really poor and it's a shame because the movie is actually pretty good and only really falls apart at the end when you can see how bad a hack job this movie really received. They should have dropped "The Other Side" from the title because you only get to see it in the movie for about 2 minutes and what you do get to see is a rushed not-finished mess of a finale.

The Poltergeist franchise should have been sold to UNIVERSAL (The company "Steven Spielberg" first approached about the original). They would have given this movie the justice it deserved. As for the third movie "I really don't care" nothing could have saved the third movie from being bad". Even with it's problems, I still loved the character's from the first movie, the plot was on the right track and introduced us to one of the most memorable villains in horror sequel history, the evil "Reverend Kane" brilliantly portrayed by "Julian Beck", and while not being as productive as the original, the special effects held up too.

Wrapping everything up, this movie is a decent sequel and has the advantage of retaining most of the original cast from the first movie (minus "Dominique Dunne" who was murdered by her boyfriend shortly after filming the first movie) and there are some really good classic moments in this sequel, one being... "The Vomit Creature!"...check your Tequila for strange worms swimming around in it next time!.

7/10