In 1988, Tim Burton took the original script from Michael McDowell to flip the book on exorcism in the hit film, Beetlejuice. Rather than presenting a demonic entity that necessitated banishment, they created a film that introduced ghosts dealing with problematic humans. Likewise, they transformed Michael Keaton into the delightfully trouble-making title character of the film, Betelgeuse, otherwise known as Beetlejuice.
With its unique script and visual direction from the morbid mind of Tim Burton, Beetlejuice became a massive hit. In the decades to follow, the troublemaking ghost became a staple of Halloween decorations and traditions across the States. Iconic creatures like the Sandworm pop up in multiple forms each year, especially inflatable decorations. Likewise, many choose to dress up as the titular ghoul, Beetlejuice, both young and old.
With the film’s lasting popularity, there is no surprise that it has spawned several media surrounding it. Beetlejuice fans can always look for more with the cartoon series, toys, and video games. Even a musical adaption of the film emerged in 2016.
However, what made this film a success in the first place? Join us as we look back at the development and history of the hit film, Beetlejuice.
Join us on a look back at Beetlejuice and its legacy
Twisting the narrative: Kind ghosts vs vile humans
Originally, the vision of one man inspired Tim Burton with a creative and fresh screenplay that stood out amongst the pile of mediocracy. While Michael McDowell had a successful career as a novelist, he looked to entertain the masses in a new format: screenwriting. Most of his novels reflected his morbid interests, presenting tales of horror. Moreover, the success of several haunting movies, like Ghostbusters and Poltergeist, inspired him to create a unique ghost tale. So, he aimed to create a ghost tale that would stand with the greats.
However, he also knew that there were dozens of movies that depicted humans dealing with malevolent ghouls. So, he joined forces with his writing partner, Laurence Senelick, to brainstorm a novel take on the haunting trope. As they sought inspiration for their script, the pair became agitated by their families at home. This agitation then became their greatest form of inspiration.
Rather than present a family that had to deal with a problematic ghostly haunting, the pair decided to present a self-centered, pestering family of humans who caused problems for kind ghosts. This new direction gave them the vision to create the groundwork for the film that became Beetlejuice. Unfortunately, McDowell’s leanings toward horror led the original script to be extremely gory, far different from the final product. For instance, Betelgeuse was originally a murderous entity with wings that intended to rape Lydia.
While Tim Burton loved the original script, for he also enjoyed all things bizarre and spooky, he and the studio both knew that Beetlejuice would need a different direction. Thus, the script went through several rewrites, eventually switching hands to Warren Skaaren. Thus, the horror film transformed into the comedy film known today.
The cast that brought Beetlejuice from the afterlife
More than a great script is necessary to create a film that audiences would remember for decades to come. Tim Burton had to find the right actors that would bring the right spark to each character on the screen. So, he carefully chose the right actors to portray the various unusual and whacky ghosts and humans.
After taking three meetings to convince him to join on, Tim Burton nabbed the rising star, Michael Keaton, as his title character. Still, neither knew what the deranged ghost would eventually look like on screen. In fact, Burton played no role in creating the on-screen appearance for Betelgeuse. Instead, Keaton requested a rack of outfits from different time periods to create his on-screen appearance. Keeping Burton out of the loop, decided to give the ghost mold and wild hair as if he had been electrified. He then appeared on set in costume, where Burton fell in love with the look.
Despite Michael Keaton playing the title role, he would not be the actor that was on screen the entire time. Tim Burton needed to find the right actors to keep audiences invested as they watched the plight of Barbara and Adam Maitland. Luckily, Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis were up for the roles. While Alec Baldwin originally believed that the film could kill his career, he became so impressed with Michael Keaton that he stayed with the production.
Finally, the crew required a great actress to present the sympathetic human who could commune with ghosts, Lydia Deetz. Luckily, they found the young actress, Winona Ryder, to play the goth teenager. She joined on with great hopes for her future thanks to the film.
Tim Burton’s Gothic Art Direction
Even as a child, Tim Burton stood apart from most children for loving the dark and macabre. Whereas most growing up in Burbank, California, loved playing, riding on bikes, and other outgoing activities, Burton enjoyed spending his time in cemeteries and was museums. As he grew to become an animator at Disney, he developed his gothic style to create his first short film, Vincent.
As he became a director, Tim Burton still loved to delve into the macabre, where he could disturb his audiences with surreal angles and shots. With Beetlejuice’s supernatural setting, he let his creative juices loose to create a unique vision for his afterlife. Likewise, he could give each ghost that appeared in places like the Neitherworld Waiting Room a memorable look. Fans could scour the shots of the waiting room for a plethora of unique appearances. There were witch doctors and zombie-like men with shrunken heads. There also were former pageant girls with blue skin.
Perhaps the most iconic creature to pop up in Beetlejuice were the gigantic sandworms that awaited the Maitlands if they stepped out of their house. These goliath creatures had black and white striped bodies. However, their most defining feature popped out of their mouth, for they had a smaller head hidden within their jaws. Few could forget the reveal of a second sneering face appearing from the widening maw of the outer head.
Ghostly bureaucracy leading to mayhem
After the untimely death of the married couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, they found themselves trapped in the Connecticut house without any memory of dying. They knew that things were amiss when they tried to leave their house, finding a surreal desert landscape filled with sandworms waiting outside. So, they scoured the household for any answers, eventually finding the Handbook for the Recently Deceased, which helped them understand that they were now ghosts.
Meanwhile, their house could not remain vacant forever. Eventually, the Deetz family moved in to make the house their own. While their daughter, Lydia, was a goth with a kind heart, the rest of the Deetz annoyed the Maitlands. So, they attempted to scare away the family to no avail. Likewise, the Neitherworld offered no aid to the couple since their case would need to move through the bureaucracy.
With nowhere else to turn, the Maitlands turned to a strange ghoul that they found in their exorcist, Betelgeuse, who introduced himself as a “bio-exorcist”. As they agreed to work with him, they found that he was too abrasive for their likes. Unfortunately, their decision to work with Betelgeuse only led to trouble within Neitherworld for supplying proof of the afterlife to the living.
As the Maitlands decide to make peace and let the Deetz family stay for the sake of Lydia, the father, Charles, plotted to turn the house into a tourist location. Using the handbook, he accidentally began to exorcise the deceased couple. To save the Maitlands, Lydia made a deal with Betelgeuse to marry him in exchange for saving the two. Unfortunately for Betelgeuse, the Maitlands saved Lydia from her marriage by returning with a sandworm in tow.
Critical and financial success for Beetlejuice
With a budget of just around $15 million, Beetlejuice easily became a financial success with its $84.6 million box office returns. Audiences across the world loved the horror-comedy tone of the film. More importantly, critics loved the film, raining down praise. On average, the film received reviews with about 70-85% approval rates. For instance, the Washington Post praised the film for its blend of bizarreness, comedy, and horror.
Beyond the critical reception, the film also received several noteworthy awards. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup at the 61st Academy Awards. Meanwhile, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts nominated the film for Best Visual Effects and Makeup.
With such high praise, there is no surprise that the film has become a staple of Halloween classics since the 80s. Still, no sequel plans ever got off the ground. While Tim Burton and others had pondered creating a sequel for the film over the years, either the timing or the script was not right. Still, there are other ways to get a larger fill of Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice in other formats
While we may never see Tim Burton’s vision of Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, fans always have the antics of the deranged ghost in other media. From September 1989 to October 1991, ABC aired an imaginative cartoon that starred Beetlejuice, now using the same name as the film, and Lydia Deetz. In total, ABC produced 29 episodes over three seasons before the series moved to Fox Kids. From September 1991 to December 1991, Fox Kids aired the fourth season, which had 65 episodes.
While the Maitlands never made an appearance in the cartoon, Lydia’s mother and father often appeared in the episodes. Otherwise, the various denizens from the Neitherworld filled up the cartoon’s roster. Beetlejuice himself saw more changes than his name, for he now had the power to reshape the world into whatever pun he uttered.
Beetlejuice once again resurfaced as a stage musical in 2016. With Warner Brothers producing it, Alex Timbers directed the new live show with Eddie Perfect providing the music and lyrics. This production made its way onto Broadway on April 25, 2019.
While the musical took several cues from the movie, from set-pieces to character designs, it stands as its own entity. The largest deviation from the film comes from Beetlejuice’s character, who became a millennia-old demon in the musical. Not to mention, the play has several songs that are not present in the horror-comedy classic.
The legacy of Beetlejuice lives on
Even though it has been over thirty years since Beetlejuice hit theater screens, fans still fondly remember the series. Beetlejuice continues to reappear, especially at Universal Studios theme parks. Moreover, avid collectors may hunt down action figures from Kenner’s 1989 toy line. With so much merchandise and fan support, perhaps there will come a day that Beetlejuice will once again make it onto cinema screens.
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Chris Ingledue
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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!