He’s the ghost with the most… and also a huge pervert.
Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” is very Tim Burton. It’s an impressive production given the modest budget – you’ve got all the in-demand Burton essentials – a killer Danny Elfman score, whimsical set design, funky makeup and super goths (actually just young Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, but she’s representing the goth crew well).
For those who haven’t seen “Beetlejuice” in a while, it might surprise you to hear just how little the title character played by Michael Keaton actually appears in the movie. This is very much an Alec Baldwin-Geena Davis joint, playing new ghosts who must learn how to haunt away the still living who move into their old house.
Keaton’s “Betelgeuse” (that’s how it’s spelled in the movie… probably a good idea they changed it for the movie title/marketing campaign) is a “bio exorcist,” but he’s also disgusting and nobody likes him. Whoever beckons him immediately regrets it. Then there’s the climax where he tries to marry underage Winona Ryder. Dude’s a creep, making it all the more bizarre they made a children’s Saturday morning cartoon based on the character.
Old Millennials Remember Movies hosts Tyler and Angela discuss their history with the movie and why Tyler didn’t ever feel like watching the movie despite owning the DVD for 15+ years (it’s those damn DVD case stickers man!). They also spend some time dissecting the (intentionally?) hilarious deaths of Baldwin and Davis’ characters, and why the Maitland’s might be the dumbest people in the underworld. And, of course, the Old Millennials take the easy opportunity to fawn over Catherine O’Hara again. She’s a treasure.
So brush up on the lyrics for “Day O!” and get ready for that 2-day only sale at The Bon Marche, as Old Millennials Remember Movies discusses “Beetlejuice.” But if you say his name three times, you’re going to regret all his icky sex talk.
Also discussed on this episode of Old Millennials Remember Movies
- The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
- The Guilty (2021)
- The Killing of Two Lovers (2021)
- Nightmare Alley (1947)
- Manifest (TV series)
Check out these Tim Burton-centric past episodes of OMRM:
- Sleepy Hollow – 1999 – episode 89
- Mars Attacks! – 1996 – episode 17
- The Nightmare Before Christmas – 1993 – episode 90
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