Poltergeist: Hollywood's Most Cursed Film Ft. Michael McManus

In honor of my friend Linda Mazur, we are replaying one of my favorite episodes: the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore.  Gary was returning home after working out the ending of his latest script, which he claimed would blow the lid off government secrets, when he disappeared without a trace.  Did Gary step out to “buy a pack of cigarettes,” or was he met with foul play?   We’ll delve into what happened that fateful night and revisit the rumors and conspiracy theories that continue to baffle and disturb people.  Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Show notes to follow.

Rewind. Sandy and Terry discuss *Poltergeist*, one of America's most beloved horror films, which may indeed be the most cursed film in Hollywood history.Released by MGM on June 4, 1982, and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor, *Poltergeist* is rumored to be cursed because real human skeletons were used in a pivotal scene. This curse is believed to have led to the tragic deaths of three individuals in brutal and devastating circumstances.We'll also talk to writer and actor Michael McManus, who played Ben Tuthill, the neighbor next door, to get the real story of what happened.👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

On today’s show, we have the legendary entertainment lawyer Peter Dekom. Peter Dekom significantly impacted his time at Bloom, Dekom & Hergott. He has represented remarkable clients, including George Lucas, Keenen Ivory Wayans, John Travolta, Ron Howard, and Robert Towne, as well as renowned companies like Sears and JVC. As an advisor, Peter has contributed significantly to New Mexico, helping shape the state's film incentives. You’ll want to bookmark this episode and listen to it at least four times. Peter shares a wealth of valuable advice.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 

We're diving into more updates from the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit, and we also have some surprising news about Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, who were sadly found at their home near Santa Fe, New Mexico.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts.  

Rewind: Join Sandy and Terry as they dive into the intriguing differences between the iconic film and the real-life story behind it! First on their list is the 1979 movie "Amityville Horror," featuring the talented Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger. This captivating film tells the tale of a family haunted by supernatural forces after moving into a house with a dark past in Amityville, Long Island, New York. If you're enjoying your experience with us, we’d appreciate it if you could follow along and leave a review.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer/Engineer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

On today’s episode, we have Walter Wolf, the author of The Right Rehab: A Guide to Addiction and Mental Illness Recovery When Crisis Hits Your Family. This step-by-step guide outlines how to identify and access treatment options for individuals and families, regardless of their resources. Writers, I want to share this book with you because being creative isn’t easy. If you need help, options are available. This book is also an excellent resource if you're writing about addiction.  We need to talk about Walter Wolff. Walter Wolff is a pen name, and the man behind it promised a loved one privacy. Before, as you will soon learn, a phone call changed his life; Walter was a producer in Hollywood for over 30 years.  Now, he is an interventionist and treatment placement specialist.  We also break down the movie 28 Days, starring Sandra Bullock, through the lens of Walter Wolf.  Warning: the subject matter we discuss can be triggering. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected] 

In today’s episode, we discuss three key incidents in the lawsuits involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Baldoni released a voice memo he sent to Blake and shared footage from a film that shows a scene where Blake expressed discomfort about unwanted touching. He believes the footage demonstrates that he was not inappropriate during this scene. Additionally, Baldoni feels that Ryan was mocking him in Deadpool vs. Wolverine.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment please contact us @[email protected] 

The conclusion of who killed Thelma Todd in the Pacific Palisades Pt 2. Actress Thelma Todd was the “Queen of the Lot” and made it in Hollywood when she died of mysterious circumstances at 29 years old. Who killed her? Could it be her business partner Roland West, a one-time screenwriter? Maybe it was the ex-husband, son of the Broccoli King, and agent Pat DiCicco? Police investigate, and all roads lead to The Trocadero, a famous nightclub that opened on the Sunset Strip in 1934. Hang out with us as we unfold the inexplicable death of Thelma Todd.An Eternal Hollywood Mystery, Wrapped in Mink and Fog, Survives the Fires | Vanity Fair By Greer Sinclairhttps://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/thelma-todd-death-mystery?utm_source=pocket_reader👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @[email protected] 

Rewind with one of your favorite episodes.  Actress Thelma Todd was the “Queen of the Lot” and had made it in Hollywood when she died at just 29 years old. Who killed her? Could it have been her business partner Roland West, a one-time screenwriter? Perhaps it was her ex-husband, the son of the Broccoli King, and agent Pat DiCicco? The police are investigating, and all clues point to The Trocadero, a famous nightclub that opened on the Sunset Strip in 1934. Hang out with us as we unfold the inexplicable death of Thelma Todd.❄️ We are thrilled to have music by THE SNO-GLOBES.  Here's a link to listen to more of their holiday music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McFx8spF0Cc&t=5s👍 If you enjoy the show, please remember to follow us and leave a review where you listen to podcasts. 📸 Check out our IG for photos @thewritershangoutpodcast💙 If you have an idea for the podcast or would like to comment, please contact us @[email protected]