The 1982 classic horror film Poltergeist directed by Tobe Hooper left audiences stunned with its graphic and disturbing visual effects. One of the most memorable and chilling scenes involved REAL human skeletons being used as props, tossed around by the ghosts that haunted the film’s central family. Let’s take a deeper look into how and why real skeletal remains were utilized in Poltergeist.
The Infamous Skeleton Closet Scene
In one of the film’s most iconic sequences, young Carol Anne Freeling is pulled into a mysterious void behind her bedroom closet. Her mother tries desperately to pull her back to safety but loses grip, sending Carol Anne falling into the dark dimension containing a vast array of hanging skeletons. These were no mere movie props or animatronics, however – the skeletons used were real human remains. Production sources later confirmed the skeletons were purchased legally from medical supply companies and used without permits or permission. At the time, laws surrounding the use of human remains in media were more lax so the producers were not prosecuted. However, it cast an eerie pall over the production knowing they had real human death on set.
Why Real Skeletons Were Chosen
In interviews after the film’s release, director Tobe Hooper explained his controversial choice to use real skeletons over movie replicas. He felt that animating mechanical or plastic fakes would not achieve the genuinely unsettling atmosphere he wanted. Hooper wanted audiences to feel like they were witnessing real supernatural phenomena play out, with graphic consequences. Real human remains tied to past lives added a tactile quality that movie props simply could not match. It gave the sequence a documentary-like quality that immersed viewers in Carol Anne’s terrifying plight. While controversial, Hooper’s decision to select authentic skeletal props achieved his goal of crafting one of the most skin-crawling scenes in horror movie history.
Enduring Legacy and Impact
Decades after Poltergeist hit theaters, the real skeleton scene is still discussed in horror fan circles as one of the most effectively disturbing set pieces ever filmed. Its graphic content pushed 1980s mainstream audiences past their discomfort thresholds. Knowing the remains were real human beings amplified the shock value exponentially over typical movie gore or violence. The sequence has taken on near-mythical status, becoming synonymous with the Poltergeist franchise. Many consider it the scariest single moment committed to film.
While Tobe Hooper’s choice was controversial and unorthodox, it undeniably bolstered Poltergeist’s legacy as a true genre classic. The director achieved his goal of crafting a memorably skin-crawling movie moment that has left audiences shaken to this day.
Obtaining the Skeletal Props
It is unclear exactly where and how the Poltergeist producers obtained the real human skeletons used in the famous closet scene. Some sources say they were purchased from medical supply companies that provide anatomical specimens to schools and universities. As medical cadavers donated to science, the skeletons had been stripped of flesh but were fully intact skeletal forms. While procuring human remains was legally murky, producers avoided charges by claiming they were obtained for educational not entertainment purposes.
Handling Real Human Remains
Working with real human skeletons on set presented unique challenges. The bones had to be carefully arranged, repositioned and handled extensively during filming and reshoots. The cast and crew spoke of an eerie feeling of being in the presence of the dead as they manipulated the skeletons. There were also concerns about damages or bones being broken, as replacing stolen or damaged remains would have been impossible. Extra precautions were taken to respectfully care for the human props during production.
Actor Reactions
Many of the young actors, including Heather O’Rourke who played Carol Anne, were unaware the skeletons were real until after filming wrapped. Upon learning the truth, some found the revelation disturbing or traumatic. O’Rourke in particular seemed emotionally impacted in interviews afterward. While the production shielded child actors during filming, the graphic reality of working with human remains lingered with some cast members for years.
Fans Visiting Film Locations
After the film’s release, some obsessed fans would visit the house locations from Poltergeist trying to see if any skeletal props were left behind. Producers confirmed none were, as all human remains used had been returned to their rightful storage after filming. However, the fact devoted fans wanted souvenirs or mementos from real human skeletons shows the visceral effect that particular scene left on audiences.
Inspiring Other Films
The success of Poltergeist’s memorable closet scene prompted some later films to also use real human remains in an attempt to shock audiences. However, these efforts mostly fell flat or came off as cheap imitations seeking to capitalize on Poltergeist’s taboos rather than enhance their narratives. By 1982, Tobe Hooper had pushed the envelope for integrating actual human props into a movie in a genuinely unsettling way other films struggled to replicate.
Lingering Ethics Questions
The use of real human skeletal remains without consent or ethical review understandably raised some questions that still linger today. While legal at the time, was it respectful to exploit donated bodies strictly for entertainment purposes? Did producers fully consider the emotional impact on the cast and crew? As medical science has advanced, most feel incorporating real human properties into fictional horror is no longer appropriate or necessary. Poltergeist’s closet scene will probably remain the most (in)famous example.
In conclusion
Tobe Hooper’s controversial decision to employ authentic human skeletons as props in Poltergeist’s infamous closet scene was an unorthodox choice that pushed creative and legal boundaries. However, it undeniably elevated the already disturbing sequence to new heights of genuinely unsettling horror. Knowing the skeletal remains used were real human beings amplified the shock value exponentially over typical movie gore or animatronics.
Decades later, the scene is still widely discussed among horror fans and is seen as one of the most effectively disturbing movie moments ever committed to film. It exemplifies how creative risks can sometimes achieve legendary status through truly visceral storytelling.
