Discuss: Should DirecTV Use 'Poltergeist' Kid to Make Money?

I don't think it's that big of a deal. The Line is classic. It is used in all sorts of marketing. Plus that little signed her likeness away years ago when she made those films. The studio can do what they want with it.

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I'm mixed on this. On one side, everyone dies. Where do you draw the line? If I die at 8 it's tragic. What about 28? 48?

If I were the parent of that child I would be enraged. On the other side of that...is anyone asking anyone to stop playing the movie on TV or selling DVDs because she died?

I think some people get too worked up over little things like this and miss bigger issues. As with anything, you don't have to watch it if you don't want to.

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you are looking for MORALS in the marketing/advertising world?

definitely not a newsworthy venture

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I think it would be a different story if she had died on the set of the movie. Plus, it's been 20 years. It's sad, yes, and it did make me cringe slightly but the character of Carol Anne is somewhat iconic, and not specifically because of Heather O'Rourke's death. I think it's fair play. A little creepy but fair.

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My wife and I saw this one last night, and we both agreed that yes, it was kind of creepy and wrong.

Which, of course, means it's fair game in advertising.

But then, I find this entire DirecTV campaign a little disturbing to begin with.

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The "Poltergeist" films didn't kill Heather O'Rourke, but cardiac arrest—a result of septic shock brought on by intestinal stenosis. With that said, Hollywood has been using 'dead' celebrities as long as there have been celebrities AND death, so why aren't people freaked by the use of the voice and images of so many others that have also passed on? Just being superstitious, most likely. I'm assuming Rourke's family may be getting some small stipend for the use of her voice, so hopefully some good is coming from it (maybe a child or grandchild is going to college). Shrug.

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I'm also guessing they did this with complete cooperation from Heather O'Roarke's family. Even if they don't legally need their permission to use the footage, I'm guessing even a heartless studio would only do it with the blessing of the family.

While on one hand, it may seem like a money-grab, on the other, it's also a way of keeping her memory alive.

I have no problem with it as long as the family was consulted.

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There're using scenes from classic (uhm...yeah I'll stick with classic) movies and why not use Poltergeist? I didn't hear any uproar when they modified Singing in the Ring except that it was just really awful.

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I'm with you on this one.
They are totally offensive & in bad taste! Direct -whatever is probably counting on our short memories (like most politicians & policy makers). Does Nelson need the money that badly?
Unless her family is making a lot of money from the ads then I can sort of see why she is in them but even that reasoning makes me uneasy.
I'll keep my cable.

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if it is ok to purchase or rent the movie ... why wouldn't it be ok for this ad.

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I don't see what the problem is. If this commerical openly mocked her death, I'd say it might be wrong. But using the footage of her from a film????? Are we also supposed to stop watching movies from before the 50's because many of the actors have died by this point? Are we supposed to pretend like Heather never existed, and never make reference to her in any way, shape or form?

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DIRECTV did approach the family and was given a big thumbs up by her mother. Basically along the lines that it was an honor to their daughter's work.

Cheers,
Tom

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I see nothing wrong with the ad, especially since Heather's mother signed off on it (and was likely compensated). Check out my web site:

www.poltergeist.poltergeistIII.com

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Well, I think all of the commercials of this type of an affront to cinema.

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Perfectly fine.

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Im sorry, but i cant defend this one. U tellin me the Marketing and Ad Dept at DIRECT TV could not think of any other sales pitch, except using the image, and voice of a child that has passed away. Who the fuk thought of that 1. I hope the person who thought of it never gets a good night sleep again. And if Heather o Rourke's mother cosigned this idea than i put her in the same boat. The only explanation i can think of is that she needed $$$, and DIRECT TV saw a chance 2 make $$$ and took advantage of that fact. SHAMEONU DTV:( Thanx but no Thanx.

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I think that this commercial was very tacky and in bad taste. Not classy at all. I hope her family was reimbursed for this poor decision, and we are boycotting the service.

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I guess what bothers me the most is that Craig Nelson is making money off of it. I mean he knew Heather O'Rourke and made 3 movies with her... Just seems wrong somehow.

I guess her folks are just as bad... and Direct TV can just kiss my ass.

All my love....


Jon

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I'm sorry, but how is this different from doing something like using the line (or even a clip of O'Rourke saying it) to promote the movie being shown on TV or a commercial promoting it on DVD or something else along those lines?

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Can't believe that COACH would do something like that! Very sad and disturbing. I lost respect for him after seeing that. Thought he was a more decent fellow than that. Apparently he has no compassion. Yeah, other deceased actors have been used to promote things before, but I think using Heather in that way is very distasteful. I can expect that from Direct TV... anything to make a buck. Well, they won't get my buck.

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