Podcasts
[Horror Queers Podcast] Terrifying a Generation of Children in ‘Poltergeist II: The Other Side’
Citizen Kane.
We’ve been all over the ’80s this month! First, we traveled to 1986 to discuss the “slasher” April Fool’s Day, then we went forward a year to 1987 (via a 2000 lens) to hang with Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. Last week, we made a brief detour to 1936 (via a 2005 lens) to celebrate 4/20 with the cast of Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical! Now we’re heading back to 1986 to dig into Brian Gibson‘s Poltergeist II: The Other Side.
In the film, the Freeling family once again find themselves under attack from supernatural forces attempting to claim their daughter Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke). This time it comes in the form of the spirit of an insane preacher (Julian Beck) who led an apocalyptic cult during the 19th century. In their efforts to save their daughter, the family find help in a Native American shaman (Will Sampson), an old friend of Tangina’s (Zelda Rubinstein).
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Episode 70 – Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)
We’re joining forces with Tyler Jensen and Roman Chimienti, the directors of the superb (and queer!) documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street, in Phoenix Arizona (and later Orange Country, California) to discuss the “Other Side” in the 1986 sequel Poltergeist II: The Other Side!
After spilling the tea on last year’s live episode on A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, we dive into Brian Gibson’s sequel that at least tries to do something different (as opposed to repeating the most successful parts of the original film). Is it wholly successful? That matter is up for debate, as the film holds a special place in Roman’s heart, while it was a first-time viewing for us.
Join us as we discuss Reverend Henry Kane (Julian Beck), the villain that terrified a generation of children. Also up for discussion are the diminished roles of Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) and Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein), the laughable effects of the 3-minute-long climax in the titular Other Side and what it means to live a “normal” life.
It’s not all bad, though! We admire the chemistry and charisma of the film’s co-leads Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams, the superb practical effects (that vomit monster!) and the historical importance of the film’s release during the Night Stalker’s reign of terror.
Cross out Poltergeist II: The Other Side!
Coming up on Wednesday: We’re “celebrating” the 10th anniversary of the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street!
– Joe & Trace
P.S. Check out this month’s article on 1981’s Looker. You can find all of the old articles here.
P.P.S. As an added bonus, if you subscribe to our Patreon you can listen to bonus episodes! Since every new horror release has been delayed, we decided to go with a home invasion theme this month, so you can listen to full-length episodes on The Strangers and Mike Flanagan’s Hush!
“This is life’s ultimate cruelty. It offers us a taste of youth and vitality, and then it makes us witness our own decay.”
Is there anything more terrifying than the relentless passage of time? It’s a bitter truth that just when we’ve become accustomed to our bodies, the sands of time turn and we’re forced to watch them slowly break down in a cruel march towards inevitable death. But what if there were a way to stop the aging process – a potion that would return us to our peak physical condition and hold us there until the end of time? Would we take it? And would we eventually find that the blessing of perpetual life is actually a curse? No film explores this dilemma quite like Death Becomes Her. Robert Zemeckis’ 1992 horror comedy pits two showstopping divas against each other for a single spotlight while asking what they would do for eternal youth – and what will be the hidden cost?
Madeline (Meryl Streep) and Helen (Goldie Hawn) are old frenemies with a history of vicious competition. Madeline seems to have won the most recent battle and married Helen’s fiance Ernest (Bruce Willis), but decades later, their marriage is on the rocks and Madeline’s once thriving career is now a thing of the past. When Helen returns with a stunning new look, Madeline turns to unorthodox methods to maintain her feminine dominance. She drinks a potion designed to give her eternal youth, but returns home to find her life turned upside down by her downtrodden husband and jealous “friend.” Having both taken the potion, “Mad” and “Hel” engage in a bitter fight to the death over years of petty snipes and the right to claim the title of Most Desirable Woman.
In their latest episode, The Lady Killers dissect these two glamorous killers and the hidden social commentary in Zemeckis’ iconic film. Co-hosts Jenn Adams, Mae Shults, Rocco T. Thompson, and Sammie Kuykendall dish over their own fears of aging, choose their favorite diva, and decide whether they would take the potion should they ever find themselves in Lisle’s (Isabella Rossellini) lavish home. How does the film hit differently when watching as an adult? Could Madeline, Helen, and Ernest ever make a polycule work? Is Lisle a hero or a villain and how does she keep that gorgeous necklace in place? They’ll wrestle with these questions and more in a podcasting shovel battle to the death on this unique horror comedy and one of the most glamorous casts of all time.
Stream below and subscribe now via Apple Podcasts and Spotify for future episodes that drop every Thursday.
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