This podcast details true crime cases.

It contains adult themes and may contain descriptions of violence.

It is not intended for children.

Listener discretion is advised.

Thank you for joining me for today's episode of Once Upon a Crime.

We're in the series Curse Hollywood,

where I tell you stories of Hollywood productions

that seemingly are cursed with bad luck

for their creators and stars.

This time, the curse begins on the set of a horror film

and seems to follow several of its stars

throughout their lives and careers.

I've had many requests to tell this story,

thanks to all of you who sent me the suggestion.

This is the story of the Poltergeist curse.

In June 1982, the supernatural horror movie

Poltergeist was released.

The film, written and produced by Steven Spielberg,

told the story of a fictional family, the Freelings,

who moved to a new house located in a Southern California suburb.

Steven Freelings, a real estate developer,

played by Craig T. Nelson,

...