Buzz
We all enjoy sinking into the couch with a bowl of popcorn, perhaps a drink in hand, and watching a great movie. But sometimes, the stories behind these films—legends, curses, or the so-called true events—are just as captivating as the films themselves. From eerie tales of ominous occurrences to films eerily predicting future events, the backstories are often filled with intrigue. Here are ten of those fascinating stories...
10. Three Men and A Baby (And The Ghost That Wasn’t)
Back in 1990, when we were still renting VHS tapes to catch the latest releases, one movie that became notoriously hard to find was the comedy 'Three Men and a Baby.' This was partly due to the hype surrounding its upcoming sequel, but mostly because audiences were desperate to see for themselves the ghost that seemed to appear in one of the scenes.
The scene in question occurs just past the one-hour mark of the film, featuring Ted Danson (as Jack) and Celeste Holm (his mother). As they walk through their apartment, with Holm holding the baby, a mysterious figure can be seen standing by the window, peering through the curtains.
Rumors, which were mostly unfounded at best, began to circulate suggesting that the figure seen in the scene was the ghost of a young boy who had taken his own life in the apartment by jumping from the window. The story claimed that the mourning family had left shortly after the incident, and the vacant apartment was rented out to the film crew for shooting.
Soon after the rumors spread, a sharp-eyed viewer claimed to have noticed a rifle in the same window about thirty seconds before the boy's figure appeared. This led to a shift in the narrative—now the boy was said to have committed suicide by shooting himself by the window.
In response to the growing interest and conspiracy theories about the alleged ghost, Disney Studios issued an official statement. They explained that the 'boy' was actually a cardboard cut-out of Jack—an actor in the film—from one of his performances. The cut-out had simply been placed by the window, and the camera angle made it appear much smaller than it was. They also clarified that the 'rifle' seen earlier was merely part of the prop's arm. Additionally, they confirmed that the apartment scenes were filmed on a set and not at a real location. In short, there was no ghostly boy, nor was there any suicide.
However, some skeptics refused to accept the studio's explanation, arguing that the prop and the 'boy' looked entirely different. For them, the legend of the ghost at the window continues.
9. The Poltergeist Films – Unsettling Deaths and Eerie Prophecies
The Poltergeist films are among the most famous movies believed to be cursed, primarily due to the numerous untimely deaths of cast members in the years following the release of the first film in 1982.
Less than six months after the first film's debut, Dominique Dunne, who portrayed the Freeling family's eldest daughter, was tragically strangled by her ex-boyfriend, who was later convicted of voluntary manslaughter. She was just twenty-two. In the years that followed, Julian Beck (who played Henry Kane) and Will Sampson (who played Taylor) passed away from stomach cancer and kidney failure, respectively. Then, two years later, Heather O’Rourke, who played young Carol, died unexpectedly on February 1, 1988, at the tender age of twelve.
Some believe the curse originated from the decision to use real skeletons in the scene where Carol (played by JoBeth Williams) desperately tries to escape from the unfinished pool, as skeletons rise from the mud due to the heavy rainfall. In an effort to reduce costs, filmmakers chose to use real skeletons rather than creating several fake ones. Some argue that this 'disrespect' to the dead contributed to the curse of the film. Ironically, the plot itself is quite similar to such disrespectful acts.
One of the most unsettling aspects of the supposed curse surrounding the Poltergeist films is the appearance of a Super Bowl XXII poster, which can be seen several times in the first movie. Super Bowl XXII was held in San Diego on January 31, 1988. That same day, after battling the flu for an entire week, Heather O’Rourke was rushed to the hospital with persistent vomiting and tragically passed away the following day.
8. Dark Waters – Unintentionally Foretells a Murder Eight Years in the Future
Released in 2005, the horror movie *Dark Waters* follows the chilling tale of a young girl who tragically drowns in the water tank atop the apartment building where she lives. Her body goes unnoticed for a while, and as it slowly decomposes, residents in the building begin to report complaints about the ‘foul tasting’ water.
In February 2013, nearly eight years after the events of *Dark Waters*, the body of Elisa Lam was found in the water tower of the infamous Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. Lam had been missing for almost three weeks. Similar to the film, hotel guests had previously reported strange tastes and odors coming from the water, which had an odd color.
The case of Elisa Lam's death is both eerie and intriguing. While her murder seems the most likely explanation, there remains a slight chance that her death was the result of a tragic accident or even a suicide.
7. *The Amityville Horror* – Cast Impacted by the True Story
Based on real events, *The Amityville Horror* dramatizes the story of the DeFoe family murders at 112 Ocean Avenue. In November 1974, eldest son Ronnie DeFoe calmly went from room to room, executing his parents and siblings in cold blood. The authenticity of the story is often debated, with many questioning which parts were exaggerated or fictionalized.
The following year, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the house, fully aware of its dark history. Despite knowing about the murders, they invited a priest to bless the property. According to the Lutzes, they were soon confronted with strange occurrences within the house. After just 28 days, they packed up and left, never to return.
They sold their story to author Jay Anson. While they admitted to embellishing parts for dramatic effect, they stood by their belief that the paranormal events they experienced were genuine.
Whether or not the finer details of the Lutzes’ tale are true, several odd incidents have been reported involving cast members from both the 1979 and 2005 film adaptations. James Brolin, who portrayed George Lutz in the original movie, claimed to have been a believer in their experiences. He reported that while reading the book to prepare for his role, clothing would fall off its hanger without any apparent cause. Even stranger was the experience of Ryan Reynolds, who took on the same role in the 2005 remake. He revealed that he would wake up every night at 3:15 a.m. for no reason, a time that allegedly coincided with the murders of the DeFoe family and which also reportedly haunted the real George Lutz.
Numerous paranormal investigations have taken place at the site of the infamous murders. One of the most spine-chilling occurred in 1976, long before the film was released, when investigators claimed to have captured footage of the ghost of the youngest DeFoe son.
6. The Entire Superman Brand and Franchise – A Harbinger of Misfortune?
The Superman franchise, whether it’s the original 1950s TV series 'The Adventures of Superman,' the iconic films starring Christopher Reeve, or the more recent 'Man of Steel' movies, has been seen by some as a jinxed saga.
George Reeves, the star of the original series, tragically took his own life in 1959 after portraying the role of Superman for eight years. Christopher Reeve, who famously took on the character in the late '70s and '80s films, suffered a life-altering accident in 1995, paralyzing him from the neck down after a horseback riding incident. Despite this, he rose to prominence. Reeve passed away in 2004 after a heart attack linked to an allergic reaction to antibiotics. Even stranger, his widow succumbed to lung cancer in 2006, despite never smoking a day in her life.
Margot Kidder, Lois Lane in the films, faced many challenges, including difficulty securing high-profile roles after the Superman movies. In 1990, she survived a serious car crash, leaving her temporarily paralyzed. Suffering from mental health struggles, she experienced a public breakdown in 1996, where she believed her ex-husband was plotting to kill her. She shaved her head with a razor blade and spent time living on the streets. She was eventually found in a distressed state in someone's backyard and admitted to UCLA Medical Center.
Richard Pryor, who appeared in Superman III, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis three years later, which eventually led to heart surgery in 1990. His health deteriorated over time, and he passed away in 2005.
Lee Quigley, the young actor who portrayed baby Superman, tragically died at 14 in 1991 after battling substance abuse. Henry Cavill, the star of the 'Man of Steel' films, hasn’t suffered from the 'curse'—yet some claim he narrowly missed out on major roles, including James Bond and Batman. Cavill, however, denies the Batman rumors and says he lost out on Bond due to being too young. Only time will tell what’s next for him.
5. The Crow – The Heartbreaking ‘Curse’ of the Lee Family
For Brandon Lee, 'The Crow' was meant to be his big breakthrough, poised to launch him into stardom. Tragically, Lee never got to see the film's release. In a heartbreaking accident, he was fatally shot while filming a scene in which his character, Eric Draven, enters his apartment and confronts a gang. One of the gang members shoots him.
Though the gun was loaded with blanks, a series of safety protocol failures led to a devastating outcome. A lead tip from a previous blank round had remained lodged in the barrel. When fired, it shot out and struck Lee in the abdomen. He passed away a little over twelve hours later.
The gun, it seemed, had not been properly checked. If a cleaning rod had been run through the barrel, it likely would have dislodged the lead tip. Furthermore, the so-called 'blank' cartridges used were, in fact, real bullets with the gunpowder removed, rather than dummy rounds, allegedly due to tight filming schedules.
Had the proper safety protocols been followed, it’s likely Brandon Lee would still be alive today. What’s even more tragic is that the actor who fired the gun, Michael Massey (Funboy), didn’t even need to aim at Lee. Both actors were never in the same frame, and Massey could have aimed the weapon elsewhere, like at the wall. However, it’s important to note that no blame should be placed on Massey, as he has openly stated that the incident haunts him, and it’s something he will never fully recover from. Following Brandon's untimely death, conspiracy theories emerged about a supposed curse on the Lee family, with many drawing parallels to the sudden passing of his father, Bruce Lee. Some even pointed to a scene from Bruce Lee's final film, 'Game of Death,' which appeared to eerily foreshadow his son’s fate.
In 'Game of Death,' Bruce Lee portrays an actor who, while shooting a scene, is shot and left for dead when fake guns are swapped out for real ones. Miraculously, he survives and seeks revenge on the gang that tried to kill him. Although this may appear to be a mere coincidence, it's incredibly eerie how the scene mirrors the tragic death of his son, Brandon Lee, fifteen years later. It also reflects the plot of 'The Crow,' in which Eric Draven rises from the grave to take vengeance for his death.
4. The Fourth Kind – Fake 'Real' News Prompts Outrage from Local Residents
'The Fourth Kind,' a 2009 film, claimed to be based on true events. To bolster this claim, it aired supposed 'real' archival footage on the internet and published fake news articles from local newspapers. The promotional campaign highlighted the fact that many people had gone missing in Nome, Alaska, the town where the movie is set.
The movie follows Dr. Abigail Tyler, who, after her husband's murder, is tormented by alien visits that seem to be connected to a series of abductions in the town. Tyler investigates these strange occurrences, interviewing residents of Nome who report similar experiences.
However, the real residents of Nome, along with the local press, were enraged by Universal’s portrayal of their town, especially the fake news articles presented as 'real.' As a result, Universal was forced to pay $20,000 in compensation and remove all promotional material claiming to be 'real' from the internet.
Critics heavily criticized the film, largely due to the belief that the studio exploited real-life deaths and disappearances for their own gain.
3. Atuk – The Movie That Should Never, and Maybe Can Never, Be Made
One of the most bizarre and mysterious tales behind a film comes from one that hasn't even been completed, let alone released. It's not for lack of trying, however. Legend has it that anyone who reads the script with the intent to accept the leading role will tragically die soon after.
The script for 'Atuk,' based on the book 'The Incomparable Atuk,' was reportedly offered to John Belushi in 1982. He felt it was a perfect fit for his persona. Tragically, just a month later, he passed away from a drug overdose at the age of thirty-three.
In 1992, Sam Kinison was the next to be offered the lead role, and production was underway. However, it didn’t take long before the outspoken comedian demanded his version of the script be used instead, threatening that he would 'just go through the motions' otherwise.
The production of the film was halted once again, and soon after, Kinison tragically died from injuries sustained in a head-on collision. In an eerie turn of events, shortly before his death, Kinison was reportedly heard speaking to an 'invisible' person, repeatedly saying, 'I don’t want to die!' before asking, 'But why?' He then paused, seemingly listened, and resignedly responded, 'Okay! Okay!' before passing away.
In 1994, two years later, the script was offered to the larger-than-life comedian John Candy, who showed interest in the project. Unfortunately, the script was later found among his belongings after he suddenly passed away from a heart attack at the age of forty-three.
A few months after Candy’s tragic death, writer Michael O’Donoghue also passed away suddenly due to a brain hemorrhage. It was rumored that O'Donoghue had been discussing the role with Candy before his death, and that he had recommended the script to Belushi twelve years earlier.
In 1997, Chris Farley was on the verge of accepting the role for the Atuk film when he tragically died from a drug overdose at the age of thirty-three. In a strange twist, it is said that Farley had been reading the script with his close friend Phil Hartman, trying to convince him to take a supporting role. Just months after Farley's passing, Hartman was shot to death by his wife, who then turned the gun on herself.
2. The Entity – Real Life Events Stranger Than Fiction
The 1982 supernatural film 'The Entity' tells the story of Carla Moran, a woman who has endured years of paranormal occurrences, only to be violently attacked and seemingly assaulted by an unseen force from the other side. Even more chilling is that the plot is based on real events that were rigorously investigated by UCLA’s paranormal researchers.
The actual person behind the events is Doris Bither, who in the summer of 1974 turned to parapsychologists Barry Taff and Kerry Gaynor for help. Over the next two and a half months, the researchers witnessed numerous supernatural activities alongside Doris and her children. These events included strange lights, mysterious glowing orbs, typical 'poltergeist' occurrences, and perhaps the most terrifying of all, a green mist that morphed into the shape of an adult male.
In more recent years, several opportunists have falsely claimed to be part of the original research team. Taff, however, continues to be intrigued by the events from that summer. While he insists that the experiences were undeniably real, he questions how much of Doris Bither’s traumatic early life and her interest in Ouija boards might have contributed to the strange phenomena.
One of the most unnerving stories involves an encounter when the Bither family first moved into their new home in California. A mysterious woman arrived at their door, warning Doris that the house was haunted. She claimed, 'I used to live here when it was just a farm, and I was a little girl. There is something very evil here. You need to get out!' Before leaving as suddenly as she arrived.
By all reports, Doris Bither continued to experience varying levels of paranormal activity until her death in 1999 at the age of fifty-nine.
1. Rebel Without A Cause – A Timeless Classic Shrouded in Tragedy
Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of the 1950s, 'Rebel Without A Cause' is often considered one of the most 'cursed' productions in cinematic history. Four of its cast members met untimely and suspicious deaths, including the film’s two main stars, James Dean and Natalie Wood.
James Dean tragically died in a car crash just a month before the film hit theaters. Ironically, one of his final projects was a television spot promoting safe driving awareness.
Nick Adams, who appeared in the movie and had a close relationship with both Wood and Dean, was found dead in his bedroom, fully dressed, with no signs of a struggle or forced entry. An autopsy revealed he had sedatives and other drugs in his system, including paraldehyde, a drug sometimes used by alcoholics attempting to quit. However, Adams wasn’t known to drink, and no prescription or bottle of the drug was found in his home. His death was ruled as accidental.
Salvatore Sal Mineo, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role in the film, was tragically stabbed to death in his home less than ten years later. While some speculated the murder was a homophobic attack, Lionel Ray Williams, the man who killed Mineo, claimed he had no idea who Mineo was or of his sexuality.
One of the most extensively investigated deaths associated with 'Rebel Without A Cause' occurred in 1981, when Natalie Wood tragically drowned after seemingly falling overboard from the yacht she had been drinking on for several hours. She had been in the company of her husband, Robert Wagner, and fellow actor Christopher Walken. While her death was initially ruled an accident, reports of heated arguments and altercations that night ultimately led to the case being reopened in 2011.
