Poltergeist (1982)

Zelda Rubinstein: Tangina

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Quotes 

• Tangina : There is no death. There is only a transition to a different sphere of consciousness. Carol Anne is not like those she's with. She is a living presence in their spiritual earthbound plane. They are attracted to the one thing about her that is different from themselves - her life force. It is very strong. It gives off its own illumination. It is a light that implies life and memory of love and home and earthly pleasures, something they desperately desire but can't have anymore. Right now, she's the closest thing to that, and that is a terrible distraction from the *real* light that has finally come for them. You understand me?

  [Diane shakes her head] 

  Tangina : These souls, who for whatever reason are not at rest, are also not aware that they have passed on. They're not part of consciousness as we know it. They linger in a perpetual dream state, a nightmare from which they cannot awake. Inside the spectral light is salvation, a window to the next plane. They must pass through this membrane where friends are waiting to guide them to new destinies. Carol Anne must help them cross over, and she will only hear her mother's voice. Now... hold on to yourselves.

  [brief pause] 

  Tangina : There's one more thing. A terrible presence is in there with her. So much rage, so much betrayal. I've never sensed anything like it. I don't know what hovers over this house, but it was strong enough to punch a hole into this world and take your daughter away from you. It keeps Carol Anne very close to it and away from the spectral light. It *lies* to her, it tells her things only a child could understand. It has been using her to restrain the others. To her, it simply *is* another child. To us, it is the Beast.

  [long pause] 

  Tangina : Now, let's go get your daughter.

• Tangina : This house is clean.

• Tangina : Help me tie this around my waist.

  Diane Freeling : What do you think you're doing?

  Tangina : I'm going in after her.

  Diane Freeling : She won't come to you. Let me go.

  Tangina : You've never done this before.

  Diane Freeling : Neither have you.

  [pause] 

  Tangina : You're right. You go.

• Tangina : Now clear your minds. It knows what scares you. It has from the very beginning. Don't give it any help, it knows too much already. Now, open the door.

• Tangina : Cross over, children. All are welcome. All welcome. Go into the light.

  Steve Freeling : No! No, you said no!

  Tangina : There is peace and serenity in the light.

  Steve Freeling : You said don't go into the light!

• Tangina : Y'all mind hanging back? You're jamming my frequency.

• Tangina : [offscreen upstairs]  Why is this door locked, Mr. Freeling?

  [Steve Freeling closes his eyes, clasps his hands, and appears to be concentrating for several seconds] 

  Diane Freeling : [quietly]  Answer her, Steven!

  Steve Freeling : [sotto voce]  I *am*.

  Tangina : [steps out to the top of the stairs]  I am addressin' the living!

  Steve Freeling : I'm sorry. Sorry. That's the room my son and daughter used to occupy.

  Dr. Lesh : We believe it's the heart of the house.

  Tangina : This house has many hearts.

  [Tangina steps away from the stairtop. Diane approaches Steven] 

  Diane Freeling : [quietly]  What is the matter?

  Steve Freeling : [with laughter]  "What's the matter"?

  Steve Freeling : [he composes himself, whispers]  I was trying to answer her with my mind and she couldn't hear me.

  Steve Freeling : [to Dr. Lesh, whispering even softer]  Now, I thought you said this Tangina Barrons was an *extraordinary*...

  Tangina : I *am*!

  Steve Freeling : ...clairvoy...

  Tangina : [steps out again]  I just don't like trick answers.

• Tangina : No, no, no... Go down stairs and wait by Ryan and pull. Only when I say so. Only When I say.

• Tangina : You can't choose between life and death when we're dealing with what is in between. Now tell her before it's too late.

  Diane Freeling : Run to the light, baby. Mommy is in the light.

  Tangina : Tell her you're waiting for her.

  Diane Freeling : Mommy's waiting for you in the light.

  [under her breath to Tangina] 

  Diane Freeling : I hate you for that.

• Steve Freeling : I was trying to answer her with my mind and she couldn't hear me. Now I thought you said this Tangina Barens was an extraordinary...

  Tangina : [offscreen]  I *am*.

  Steve Freeling : ...clairvoy...

  Tangina : [steps out again at the top of the stairs]  I just don't like trick answers.

• Tangina : Tell her to go to the light!

  Diane Freeling : No!

• Tangina : Tell her if she doesn't answer you, she's gonna get a spanking.

  Steve Freeling : Come on, I've never spanked the children.

  Diane Freeling : Honey, please, just tell her.

  Steve Freeling : Carol Anne? Answer your parents or you'll get a real spanking from both of us!