Then came news of the death of actress Zelda Rubinstein.
As spiritual medium Tangina Barrons in 1982's Poltergeist (and its two sequels), she certainly felt many ghostly impressions.
I have to quote Steve, at the great Heart in a Jar blog:
"Her appearance in the original 1982 film must rank as one of the most unexpected casting coups de theatre ever, as no one in those summertime audiences expected a psychic investigator to be diminutive, maternal, with an inimitable voice like a marshmallow dipped in honey - that could jacket itself in stainless steel when the powers of Hell came knocking. In fact, her very presence struck me at first as being dramatically unnecessary; after all, wasn't Oscar winner Beatrice Straight there to serve that role? But with a handful of lines, and in a matter of seconds, Rubinstein became the compassionate heart of the film and the franchise."
Poltergeist clip
Zelda was also an early, open activist in the fight against AIDS/HIV.
L.I.M. Ms. Rubinstein. You will be missed.
Wonderful Wonderblog has a nice write up, and a longer clip.
Zelda @ IMDb
Theme Thursday ---> Felt & Impression
Hers will be a short funeral.
ReplyDeleteHi! Wings,
ReplyDeleteI'am familiar with her (actress Zelda Rubinstein) face, but not her film roles,but may she rest in peace.
By the way, Interesting use of felt and impression in your post.
Happy TT
DeeDee ;-D
that movie still has the goods. She was great.
ReplyDeletegreat post. i remember being freaked out by her in movies.
ReplyDeletealmos skipped this one as well. it was a beast.
Aw gee! I hadn't heard of this, as yet. I really liked her...***sigh*** she really could leave an impression tho'...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hadn't heard, either. Crazy. It's weird when celebrities we like don't make the news.
ReplyDeleteI remember when film composer Michael Kamen died... I think he managed a blurb on page 3 of the entertainment section. But, to me, that was quite important.
She will be missed. Happy TT
ReplyDeleteglad you didn't skip tt...I didn't know
ReplyDeleteman, folks are dropping like flies this month, it's kind of scary.
happy tt
eek
She was eerie in that movie...perfect casting.
ReplyDeleteI agree...perfectly creepy casting! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you decided to participate in TT. I think I need to rent Poltergeist...it has been too many years, and I would like to see Zelda's memorable performance once again.
ReplyDeleteThe Shining, Poltergeist, The Howling, and Fright Night are my fave horror flicks of the 80's. I loved the last part of Poltergeist, when it all hits the fan. I must say I didn't care for the following Poltergeists, since it got kind of over-done after the first.
ReplyDeleteThat is one scary looking woman. I'm a big chicken - never watch those kind of movies!!!
ReplyDeleteIs it a lady?
ReplyDeleteI didn't see this movie, but I love the description of the surprise a diminutive and maternal psychic investigator would generate! It's interesting to me, the way that after someone dies you can get a suddenly vivid and felt impression of them - it's as if their absence makes clear the nature of what their presence was. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. She did make an amazing impression. Wonderful performer.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about her. Sometimes it's those smaller roles that really steal the show. Nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of her. Good first impression. Ha.
ReplyDelete-Terrace Crawford
www.terracecrawford.com
www.twitter.com/terracecrawford
Aaahh! Really? I did not know she died.
ReplyDeletePoltergeist...one of my all time favorites. Will have to revisit it in her honor!
Thanks for sharing - glad you didn't opt out. She really was amazing in Poltergeist. Her voice was kinda spooky.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I remember her.I didn't know she died.Poltergeist was an amazing movie I have to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteI never knew her name was Zelda but how appropriate. I loved Poltergeist. . .and her voice.
ReplyDeletegreat post
ReplyDelete