... just wait until E.T. was finished? Then there would be no debate about who really directed this one. Actually, that debate started because of how much he wanted to participate in the production, so it would've made more sense to wait and direct both movies.
shareMaybe there was a production deadline.
An investor might have said - here's 20 million to do this film, but it must be release by next summer - something like that.
No idea though.
Actors availability?
Sometimes movies are delayed a long time in order for actors to be free from other projects.
No idea if any of this affected Poltergeist though.
All that really matters is that it's Spielberg's name that first pops up at the end of the film, not Tobe Hooper's.
shareSpielberg almost might not have wanted to direct the movie later, with a changing attitude especially after E.T. hit.
shareThe film was made when it was, because that is when it was "meant" to be made. I found it intriguing that Spielberg had his name all over the credits as producer & story\co-screenwriter and he also had an iconic horror name attached as director. I only knew of Spielberg as a director up until that time and while I had only just turned 15 and hadn't seen TCM, I felt I could trust him. It was guild politics that prevented Spielberg from being the director and he may have had a different film on his hands, if Tobe Hooper hadn't been involved. Hooper was a strong horror director in his own right. I place 2 of Hooper's films in my top ten horror list and they are not POLTERGEIST.
Spielberg's influence is written all over this project and not to dis-credit Hooper's input; but this is very much a Spielberg baby through and through. Hooper was under constant supervision and guidance by Spielberg and was more of a front-man for Spielberg. Spielberg always gets strong performances out of his actors, regardless of status and he enacts scenes for them....POLTERGEIST is no exception. Hooper got strong performances from his own films prior to doing "Poltergeist" and Spielberg would have noted this—the collaboration worked. I also feel that Wes Craven would have also been an ideal helmsman.
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/13083213-post5.html
Spielberg himself got the whole ball rolling on the "Hooper didn't direct Poltergeist story". While being interviewed, Spielberg was quoted as saying Hooper's wasn't "very hands-on" as a director, and that he, Spielberg, did a lot of the work. This got Spielberg an angry rebuke from the director's guild, and Spielberg had to publish a real kiss-ass, apology letter to Hooper.
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I can definitely see hints of Hooper's style every so often, so I have no doubt that he clearly had some hand in directing the film, but yeah Spielberg's fingerprints are all over this one. I assume that Spielberg probably fully intended to have Hooper helm most or all of the film, but maybe things weren't going as well as he hoped so Spielberg stepped in and did more directing than he originally anticipated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVauip2djLw
I can definitely see hints of Hooper's style every so often, so I have no doubt that he clearly had some hand in directing the film, but yeah Spielberg's fingerprints are all over this one.
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There are differing comments and rumors, from those on the set. Zelda Rubinstein, felt that Hooper couldn't direct traffic, I think Craig T. Nelson got along well with Hooper and Beatrice Straight is quoted as saying...."One director please". Yes, I can detect some of the Hooper influence too, and maybe Spielberg got a little nervous since the film did involve a lot of technical and optical effects, and this is where Spielberg also excels. Spielberg, also had full control and reign, after principal photography had finished. I also feel he may have had more than the usual producers input and influence, for the scenes involving the children. Another area, where Spielberg excels.
Spielberg did direct Poltergeist via his puppet Tobe Hooper. Everything was set up & shot the way Spieleberg wanted it shot. Hoopper was Director in name only.
This article goes into depth from an unusual angle: https://popcultmaster.com/2018/03/10/ghost-director/
sharei don't think he ever intended to direct.
share