RedHanded Podcast – DAY 7: Cursed Films (ShortHand’s 13 Days of Halloween)

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Georgia Hardstark & Karen Kilgariff
Theme: Exploring infamous “cursed films” in Hollywood—separating eerie reality from myth, and the role of chaos, coincidence, and PR in the most notorious on-set tragedies.

Overview

This Halloween special of RedHanded delves into the legends and truths behind “cursed films”—movies surrounded by stories of death, disaster, and supernatural misfortune. Georgia and Karen walk listeners through the most infamous examples, reflecting on whether these curses are real, the result of reckless filmmaking, or just clever marketing. The episode moves through history’s creepiest filmmaking mishaps with wit, skepticism, and their signature banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origins of “Cursed Films” and Horror Lore

[05:19]

• There’s a deep audience fascination with sinister stories and film curses, often fueling film success.
• “Myths about films being cursed can build hysteria around upcoming releases inevitably getting bums on seats.” – Karen Kilgariff
• The duo promises to review famous examples: The Exorcist, The Omen, Twilight Zone: The Movie, The Wizard of Oz, Poltergeist, and Cannibal Holocaust.

2. The Exorcist: Hollywood’s Most Famous “Cursed” Movie

[06:34–11:20]

• Uncanny Set Disasters:

  • Filming began with a fire started by a bird—destroying all but the infamous possession bedroom.
  • A priest was brought in to bless the set (to little effect).

• On-Set Deaths & The “Trash Bag Murderer”:

  • Multiple cast and crew deaths, including Linda Blair’s grandfather and director’s brother.
  • Real-life murderer Paul Bateson appears in a hospital scene.
  • “He’s like, in the fucking Exorcist, like, touching the little girl, like, ew. No.” – Georgia Hardstark [09:52]

• PR Stunts & Manufactured Hysteria:

  • Fainting audiences and ambulances outside were partly orchestrated for publicity.
  • “The fire, yes, was an accident and Bateson was just a piece of shit. As for the deaths… they were just coincidental.” – Georgia [11:20]

3. The Omen: Lightning, Tragedy & Creepy Coincidences

[11:20–19:09]

• String of Lightning Strikes:
  • Gregory Peck’s, the producer’s, and the writer’s planes all struck by lightning; another crew member narrowly missed.
• Deadly Plane Crash:
  • Peck narrowly avoided boarding a plane that crashed, killing the pilot’s family on the ground as well.
• Grisly Parallels to Film:
  • Special effects designer’s fiancée, Liz Moore, was decapitated in a crash reminiscent of the film’s goriest death; the crash happened near a sign reading “66.6 km to Ommen”—though this is likely an urban legend.
• Hosts’ Take:
  • “I have never in my life… seen a 0.6km away sign. Why would you bother?” – Karen [18:20]
  • The two conclude these events are tragic and oddly coincidental, though not supernatural.

4. Twilight Zone: The Movie – Real Tragedy vs. Myth

[19:09–22:24]

• On-Set Catastrophe:

  • Actor Vic Morrow and two illegally hired child actors killed by a crashing helicopter during a Vietnam War scene, due to criminal negligence.
  • “It was horrendous… the most tragic accidents in Hollywood history.” – Georgia [21:10]

• No Curse, Just Recklessness:

  • No supernatural explanation; the tragedy sparked necessary changes in film safety laws.
  • “That just cheapens, in my opinion, the tragedy of what really happened.” – Georgia [22:17]

5. The Wizard of Oz: Separating Fact from Urban Legend

[22:24–25:59]

• Accidents & Dangerous FX:

  • Several near-deadly accidents: falling “monkeys”, chemical burns, actors hospitalized by toxic makeup (aluminum dust for the Tin Man!).

• Famous Urban Myths Debunked:

  • No Munchkin suicide on set: the alleged hanging figure is likely an exotic bird.
  • Rumors of abuse of Judy Garland by Munchkin actors are unsupported; on-set behavior was mostly drinking and rowdiness.

• True Tragedy:

  • The real horror was the treatment of Judy Garland: fed drugs to endure long hours, leaving her with lifelong addiction and misery.
  • “She stayed addicted to drugs her whole life… died of an accidental overdose in 1969, just 47 years old.” – Karen [25:59]

6. Poltergeist: Real Tragedies and the Indian Burial Ground Legend

[25:59–28:08]

• Deaths of Young Stars:
  • Heather O’Rourke (12) died of undiagnosed intestinal blockage; Dominique Dunne (22) murdered by an ex-boyfriend.
• Skeleton Rumor:
  • The infamous pool scene used real human skeletons, possibly from India, but the “curse” narrative is thin.
  • “But regardless… the case for this film being cursed is quite thin.” – Karen [27:49]

7. Cannibal Holocaust: The Most Notorious Film in History

[28:08–35:27]

• Disturbing Content:
  • Animal killings and simulated (and deeply exploitative) violence; actual animal cruelty present on film.
  • “So prepare yourselves… its very existence cursed the careers of every actor who appeared in it.” – Georgia [28:33]
• Legal Fallout:
  • Director Deodato was arrested for obscenity and briefly for murder, as the film was believed to be a real snuff film.
  • Actors were contractually forbidden from public appearances to further the illusion.
  • The crew, including indigenous actors, faced abuse; at least one actor quit the industry after filming.
• In the End:
  • The film’s “curse” is more a result of director cruelty and relentless PR tactics.
  • “Many of the cast and crew describe Deodato as abusive, remorseless and incredibly cruel.” – Georgia [34:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the power of marketing:
  “Myths about films being cursed can build hysteria around upcoming releases inevitably getting bums on seats.” – Karen [05:19]
• On coincidence vs. curses:
  “But then multiple people were hospitalised with mysterious and sudden illnesses. Which has to be the sign of a curse, surely? Well, no…” – Georgia [23:42]
• After listing bizarre accidents:
  “But none of them really cursed, it would appear. Apart from The Omen. I’m quite convinced by that one.” – Karen [35:27]
• Regarding reckless directors:
  “You don’t really need to believe a film is cursed when you’ve got an egomaniac at the helm. All sorts of crazy shit is going to happen…” – Karen [35:42]
• Final takeaway:
  “Because whether or not you believe in film curses, you can’t deny that they make for a much spookier cinema going experience.” – Georgia [35:22]

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Details | |-----------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:08 | Georgia’s B-side Horror Obsession | Personal intro to the episode’s focus on cursed films | | 05:19 | The Power of Sinister Stories | Why urban legends and horror myths persist | | 06:34 | The Exorcist | Fires, deaths, murderer on set, and manufactured PR myths | | 11:20 | The Omen | Lightning strikes, plane crashes, mirrored deaths, “666” urban legends | | 19:09 | Twilight Zone: The Movie | Fatal helicopter crash, child labor violations, hard shift to reality | | 22:24 | The Wizard of Oz | Accident-prone set, toxic makeup, debunked rumors, real tragedy of Judy Garland | | 25:59 | Poltergeist | Premature deaths, skeleton myth, and the thin evidence for a “curse” | | 28:08 | Cannibal Holocaust | Animal cruelty, staged violence, arrest of director, boundaries of realism | | 35:27 | Conclusion | Hosts’ verdict: more PR and ego than paranormal, but cursed stories persist |

Tone & Style

The conversation blends dark humor, skepticism, and genuine horror appreciation. Georgia and Karen seamlessly balance shocking facts with pop culture banter, often highlighting the line between urban legend and documented abuse or negligence in film history.

Summary Conclusion

RedHanded’s cursed films episode is a witty, biting, and ultimately sobering journey through the darkest history of cinema. While some strange events seem almost supernatural, the hosts argue that real curses are rare—most disasters are due to human error, ego, and sometimes, pure opportunistic PR. As entertaining as the legends might be, the real horror often lies behind the camera.

Further Listening Recommendations:

• “Inside the Exorcist,” “Inside Psycho,” and “Inside Jaws” (Wondery)
• RedHanded’s earlier episode on “Raw” for more film mayhem.