The Redford Theatre is “thrilled” to bring you one last bit of horror this Halloween holiday: Poltergeist. Show time is Saturday, October 29 at 8 p.m. (Of course, if you don’t arrive by 7:30, you’ll miss at least part of the entertainment provided by the Barton Theatre Pipe Organ’s Organ Overture.)
First things first. What is a “poltergeist”? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, it’s “a spirit or force that moves furniture and throws objects around in a house.” The poltergeists in our film start as rather friendly, playful spirits but then turn nasty and malevolent—leaving the Freeling family fearing for their lives. JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are the parents, and Heather O’Rourke, Dominique Dunne, and Oliver Robbins are the kids.
So, how disturbing is Poltergeist? Steven Spielberg wrote the original story and based Robbie’s terrors on his childhood fears: a fear of clowns and a tree outside his window. The film was originally rated R, but Spielberg and Director Tobe Hooper somehow changed it to PG on appeal.
It’s still worth noting that some scenes might be considered too strong for the youngest audiences. A jumpscare near the end of the film is thought by many to be one of the scariest in cinema. Also, note that there are many prolonged sequences of strobing lights that might trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy or any other photosensitivity. Here’s a preview of what you can expect:
On a rather eerie note to the film, two of the child actors passed away very young. Heather died of cardiac arrest during surgery for intestinal stenosis at 12 years, and a former boyfriend murdered Dominique at age 22. Both are buried in the same cemetery: Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles. On the lighter side, the house used in the film was located in Simi Valley, California, which still stands today. The family who owned it sold it in 2009.
Now it’s time to welcome Halloween with Poltergeist—a consistently frightening modern horror classic. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you.)
For more information about upcoming events, see the Redford Theatre Facebook Page (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=d93c518f4a&e=cc65f9d9de) .
COVID-19 Information
As of April 1, 2022, masks are recommended but not required for all patrons and staff at Redford Theatre events.
For information about the safety measures taken by the Redford Theatre to protect patrons and staff from COVID-19, click the following link: https://redfordtheatre.com/covid-19-theatre-guidelines/
** Coming Soon
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October 28: Suspiria (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=71b933e3c1&e=cc65f9d9de) (R) (1977)
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October 29 Matinee: The Bad Seed (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=cadf32cfca&e=cc65f9d9de) (NR) (1956)
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October 29 Evening: Poltergeist (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=9d1c3de378&e=cc65f9d9de) (PG) (1982)
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November 4: Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=19c5cc12c8&e=cc65f9d9de) (PG) (1973)
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November 5: Sign O’ the Times (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=2761c94a10&e=cc65f9d9de) (PG-13) (1987)
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November 6: World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=b8118fe929&e=cc65f9d9de)
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November 18: Children’s Film Festival—The Goonies (https://redfordtheatre.com/events/childrens-film-festival-the-goonies/) (PG) (1985)
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November 19 Matinee: Children’s Film Festival—Classic Cartoon Celebration (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=b1edcb6a68&e=cc65f9d9de) (NR)
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November 19 Evening: Children’s Film Festival—E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=7e5a12aa1a&e=cc65f9d9de) (PG) (1982)
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December 2: Love Actually (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=5183b483da&e=cc65f9d9de) (R) (2003)
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December 3 Matinee: The Polar Express (https://redfordtheatre.com/events/the-polar-express/) (G) (2004)
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December 3 Evening: The Nightmare Before Christmas (https://redfordtheatre.com/events/the-nightmare-before-christmas/) (PG) (1993)
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December 9-10: White Christmas (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=cec8724eac&e=cc65f9d9de) (NR) (1954)
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December 11: Holiday Mystery Movie (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=db0b72e62a&e=cc65f9d9de)
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December 16: It’s a Wonderful Life (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=42832df932&e=cc65f9d9de) (NR) (1946)
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December 17 Matinee: The Bishop’s Wife (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=2add9dcdca&e=cc65f9d9de) (NR) (1947)
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December 17 Evening: It’s a Wonderful Life (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=2be8f4629f&e=cc65f9d9de) (NR) (1946)
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December 18: Redford Theatre Christmas Show (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=de5812c058&e=cc65f9d9de) (with organist John Lauter and other musical guests)
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March 11, 2023: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan with Special Guest William Shatner (https://redfordtheatre.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab1421b61cc0483090e2d6131&id=90c998917e&e=cc65f9d9de) (PG) (1982)
The movies at the Redford Theatre often reflect the period when they were produced. They do not necessarily represent