In
all honesty, I was launching into this story not so much to inform about it, but
to simply point out how strongly it is still discussed and dissected, even though
it was, at least in my point of view, debunked long ago. But while doing some
trivial research out of pure curiosity, some people pointed out how I was missing
the bigger picture, missing what truly made this little thing a true oddity.
The
movie "Three Men and a Baby" is notorious not because it was directed
by Mr. Spock or because Steve Guttenberg wasn't that bad an actor in it, but because
of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it "ghost" who invited himself on the set.
I you have seen the movie, or intend to after this read, you'll find the appearance
during the scene where Jack (Ted Danson) is visited by his mother. Right in the
background, in front of the window, a small figure can be seen standing, not too
tall, dressed in black and white, just lurking there.
The
Myth It isn't exactly clear when controversy over the apparition began,
but by all accounts, the sequel's impending release was surrounded by the now-strong
"urban legend", which circulated under many variations. In most of them,
the figure would be a little boy who died horribly in the apartment where the
movie takes place, and returned during filming. Some versions have a mother recognizing
her dead son in the movie and falling into near-madness over it, while others
have her sue the studio for making her suffer such anguish.
Of
course by 1990, when "Three Men and a Little Girl" was released, VHS
rentals of the original had spiked, with many curious wanting to get a piece of
the poltergeist. The studio, producers and even director Nimoy gave a perfectly
valid and verifiable explanation: a cardboard cutout. Jack the actor being somewhat
enamored with himself keeps a full blown cardboard version of his "bod"
in a tuxedo, which can be seen up-close in another scene of the film, as well
as in the sequel. What's more, filming for the interior scenes is said to have
taken place in a soundstage, and not the building used for exterior shots. Some
cynics even suggested it was planted voluntarily as a means to get people talking
about the film and turn it into the legend it's become.
Nevertheless,
almost 20 years later the "ghost" is still a very active and heated
subject in many movie discussion circles. Since the debunking seems pretty much
obvious and universal, I though I'd step into paranormal territory and find a
real life "Ghostbuster" to shed the light on the strength of this myth,
on why it is still being kept alive. What testimony I gathered dropped my grin
and stopped me in my tracks.
The
Expert The many inquiries I sent to paranormal-related organizations came
back short of a direct answer. Some admitted not having really looked into it,
others suggesting I should get a life. Most simply didn't have time to reply.
The one individual I didn't expect to help me out, simply because he is perceived
as a top reference in the field and as such must be quite busy, was actually the
most courteous and informative.
Dr.
Dave Oester co-founded the International Ghost
Hunters Society in 1996, which is widely accepted as the largest organization
of the genre on the Internet. Along with his companion Sharon Gill, he travels
across US in his RV to visit and investigate sites of alleged haunting. Author
of around 20 books and lecturing all over the country, they even put together
self-taught Ghost Hunting programs. The gentlemen graciously took time to tackle
our questions, and allowed us to publish his answers. Here is what he had to say
on the subject.
THN:
Have you seen the movie, and if so, do you feel it might be genuine?
Dr.
Dave: Yes, I feel the ghost boy is genuine. At that time Hollywood producers
had no clue as to how ghosts appear, their version were always demonic and ugly.
The ghost boy is not demonic, but is watching the actors.
THN:
Many say producers planted the "sighting" to raise controversy and appeal
towards the film. Is it something you have encountered in your many investigations?
Dr.
Dave: Any justification in a storm is considered valid, but at that
time, ghosts was not a popular icon as it they are today. Even the producer, Robert
Tinnell who directed Believe contacted us as to how ghosts act and respond prior
to directing the film. We have found that many times a ghost will manifest itself
in human form, but not in full human form. It takes a lot of energy for a ghost
to manifest 100% in human form. As in the film, the ghost boy's is floating above
the floor and his feet were not visible. This is common, but back the film was
made, this knowledge was not readily available to the producer or directors.
THN:
In your opinion, what makes people so attracted to ghost and ghost stories?
Dr.
Dave: Ghosts are real and they are everywhere. So many have had ghostly experiences,
I think the figure is one out of three. Also at a much deeper level, ghosts represent
proof of life after death, the ongoing eternal nature of man. Ghosts do not conform
to religious teachings about the Afterlife, yet they are seen by more people than
mythical angels or demons. Remove the hype and ghosts are just people without
physical bodies. They retain their intelligence, their emotions, their personalities.
Ghosts represent the next level of evolution for us beyond the grave. We all have
an innate desire to know more about the Afterlife and ghosts are the evidence
of that Afterlife.
The
Bigger Picture It would be easy to go back to studio explanation
and detract once more with passion. Just as it would be easy to invoke conspiracy
theory of cover-ups and denial over the un-explained. One internet poster I questioned
pointed to the unending back-n-forth of this argument due to the fact that no
one can go back and keep an eye towards the window, and say with 100% assurance
what is. Joe Friday would advocate sticking with the facts, but I prefer to single
out key words out of Dr. Oester's comments: "We all have an innate desire
to know more…"
In
1994, Christopher Wilson confessed on his deathbed that the fabled picture taken
by his grandfather Robert Wilson, in 1934, of a creature sticking its head out
of Loch Ness was a hoax. The confession was subsequently itself called a hoax,
and the story calling the confession a hoax was hinted to be one itself. Which
means the Loch Ness monster legend is needed alive and well, and remains just
as fascinating. The question towards the "Three Men and a Baby" ghost
boy isn't whether it is true, nor if you believe in it. The question is what do
you WANT to believe in, and WHY.
Controversy,
curiosity, ever-lasting discussions, spine-twisting confessions and revelations,
conspiracy theories and constant puzzlement are the mark of great legends. If
the sighting itself was indeed planted, than filmmakers did their job in pushing
our intellect and challenging our beliefs and understanding. I don't personally
feel it is genuine. On the other hand, I don't believe aliens crashed in Groom
Lake and yet refuse to think the only intelligent species in the universe would
be humans and dolphins (those who got that one, raise your towels!). And THAT
is the bigger picture.
