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“You know the one where Michael Jackson dresses up as an old white guy and dances in a haunted house?” is a thing I’ve said to countless people about the short film Ghosts. But every time I mention this Michael Jackson and Stephen King collaboration, no one knows what I’m talking about.

That’s right, the King of Pop and the Master of Horror made a short film together in 1996. While the film may have 14 million views on YouTube, I’ve only met one other person who can slightly recall the movie. And even if you have seen it, I doubt you remember just how bizarre it is. In honor of Halloween, I’m revisiting this 15-year-old movie to figure out why it’s been forgotten.

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The 40-minute short film / long-form music video finds Jackson playing both the Maestro, the owner of a haunted manor, and the Mayor, an older white man intent on kicking the Maestro out of town. Beyond Jackson and King, the film also had a few other well known names behind the camera: Oscar-winning special effects artist Stan Winston (T2: Judgement Day, Jurassic Park) directed and co-wrote the short along with Jackson, King, and Hocus Pocus scribe Mick Garris; Titanic cinematographer Russell Carpenter lent his eye to Ghosts; makeup artist Mike Smithson (Avatar) turned Jackson into a white man and a whole series of ghosts and demons; and rapper-actor Yasin Bey (A.K.A. Mos Def) had a small supporting role. Even more shocking, Ghosts screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997, a year after it was released in front of prints of Tom Holland’s Thinner. With the names involved, its dated visual effects ,and bad acting, Ghosts had all the makings of a cult hit in the vein of Jackson’s other beloved short film, Captain E.O. So what happened?

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For one, Ghosts is insanely weird. After Jackson’s Maestro locks the Mayor and a group of angry, torch-wielding townsfolk in his mansion, he subjects them to a series of freakish horrors. First he pulls the skin off of his face:

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SMV Enterprises

Then he casually dislocates his jaw, which is housing a monster tongue:

SMV Enterprises

Not weird enough? “Ok, lemme just do a quick skin peel,” Michael Jackson thought to himself before doing this:

SMV Enterprises

And I still haven’t addressed the fact that Jackson is wearing a body suit and white-skinned make-up as the crotchety Mayor:

How could anyone forget that? The image of a white, wrinkled face sported by the King of Pop certainly never left my memory after I first saw Ghosts on MTV one Halloween. Looking back at Jackson’s career and the release of the short, the reason why Ghosts likely didn’t register in our collective pop culture consciousness becomes clear: It was released after Jackson settled the 1993 child abuse allegations made against him. After the investigation was closed in ’94, the singer’s career and public image took a severe dive, followed by his short marriage and divorce from Lisa Marie Presley.

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In 1996, Jackson released his ninth studio album, HIStory, which went on to earn five Grammy nominations and one win. HIStory was an unusual album for Jackson, marking the first time the singer released rage-filled music, a defensive reaction to the court case and surrounding media frenzy. Ghosts, comprised of three songs from HIStory and the remix album, Blood on the Dance Floor, was the same thing: A theatrical response to the allegations made against him.

The film wastes no time alluding to Jackson’s real-life controversy. In the opening, the townsfolk approach the Mastro’s mansion, a Halloween-like version of Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Three young boys come to the Maestro’s defense as the Mayor prepares to oust him from the town. One says, “He hasn’t hurt anybody. Couldn’t we just go?” Then another boy whacks him on the head and says, “It’s your fault, jerk. Couldn’t you just keep your mouth shut?” It’s brief, but it’s clearly a reference to Jackson’s behavior with young boys.

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The music numbers also allude to Jackson’s response to the lawsuit. During the song “2 Bad,” the Maestro and his dancers point at the townsfolk in an accusatory manner as he sings the lyrics “Creepin’ from a dusty hole // Tales of what somebody told // What do you want from me? // Tired of you haunting me.” He rips off his skin to dance as a CGI skeleton, as if exposing himself to more inspection. Ghosts is certainly not just another fun CGI genre short film like Captain E.O.; it’s Jackson’s plea for innocence and cry for vindication disguised as a Halloween movie for kids.

Later, the Mayor taunts the Maestro, calling him “weird” and “freaky boy.” Here, the Mayor is both the singer’s accusers (and perhaps a reference to Evan Chandler, the father who accused Jackson of sexually assaulting his son in 1993), and a commentary on Jackson’s inner demons. The pop star could’ve gotten any white actor to play the Mayor, and probably saved loads on the special effects budget, but there’s a reason he casts himself as the defiant white man. In many ways, Ghosts feels like Jackson role-playing his own discomforts and anxieties over his desires and identities. In the short film he gets to be the valiant, white male hero (this may be a hint of commentary on Jackson’s changing skin color), the misunderstood, reclusive artist, and, most unsettling, the childlike version of Michael Jackson who seeks the friendship of young boys.

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While rewatching the short, I couldn’t help but notice the cast of young actors. The only kinds in this short are young boys; girls are nowhere to be seen. And while there are fathers present in the mob of angry parents, the sheepish, fearful mothers are the only ones who get screen time. By the end of the movie, Jackson’s Maestro wins over the admiration of the mothers an the affection of the young boys, and scares the Mayor into jumping out of a window. Is this Jackson’s alternative fantasy ending to the allegations? In his world, he convinces mothers he’s innocent, wins over the kids, and gets rid of the accusatory fathers.

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Ghosts is a bit unsettling to watch with that context in mind. Maybe that’s why no one remembers it, or perhaps audiences weren’t quite ready for a Jackson comeback at the time. That could be the reason it was never released in theaters. But outside of the darker history surrounding it, Ghosts is still a delightfully odd piece of pop culture to marvel at. You can’t help but wonder how — and why — a thing like this got made.

At the very least, it did give us a moonwalking Michael Jackson skeleton.

Watch the full short film below.

Read More: Michael Jackson and Steph...Never Seen | http://screencrush.com/mi...ck=tsmclip

Oh I loved the hell out of the Ghosts movie. Very good. He did a bang up job!!!

I think he should have made this a darker more serious video, because this is not a song about Ghosts really, those kids and the funny faces are quite childish and take away the darkness of those two great songs, especially the great Is It Scaray.

214 said:

I think he should have made this a darker more serious video, because this is not a song about Ghosts really, those kids and the funny faces are quite childish and take away the darkness of those two great songs, especially the great Is It Scaray.

It originally was a bit darker but when they reworked it, the plan was to make it more "fun"

paisleypark4 said:

Oh I loved the hell out of the Ghosts movie. Very good. He did a bang up job!!!

Is ti scary is such a great song, the choruses at the end... such a dark, personal and painful song, quite honest, Ghosts is great too, but not as great as the other, and have you heard Morphine; another masterpiece.

Apparently there making a movie on lifetime about mj being a parent. Thoughts?

heathilly said:

Apparently there making a movie on lifetime about mj being a parent. Thoughts?

I thought it was gonna be a doco? Oh well I read that Former Motown Chief Suzanne DePasse was producing it, and she did work The Temptations and The Jackson's An American Dream miniseries and they weren't too bad.......I don't know as long as it doesn't end up like Man in the Mirror:The Michael Jackson Story, now that was beyond awful

[Edited 11/3/16 22:15pm]

[Edited 11/3/16 22:19pm]

Goddess4Real said:

heathilly said:

Apparently there making a movie on lifetime about mj being a parent. Thoughts?

I thought it was gonna be a doco? Well I read that Former Motown Chief Suzanne DePasse was producing it and she did work The Temptations and The Jackson's An American Dream miniseries and they weren't too bad.......I don't know as long as it doesn't end up like Man in the Mirror:the Michael Jackson Story, that was beyond awful

[Edited 11/3/16 22:15pm]

Suzanne wants to based the movie on MJs body guard book "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in his Final Days" a book that was written by Michael's bodyguards after he passed away. However, the book is full of lies and untruths that were later revealed by MJ fans and I also don't feel comfortable with a movie being based solely on the perspective of bodyguards which means its not going to be an accurate portrayel of Michael. I respect Suzanne Depasse but this will not end well with fans and the Estate. I will not support this if she decides to move forward with this movie and I pray she does not!

mjscarousal said:

Goddess4Real said:

I thought it was gonna be a doco? Well I read that Former Motown Chief Suzanne DePasse was producing it and she did work The Temptations and The Jackson's An American Dream miniseries and they weren't too bad.......I don't know as long as it doesn't end up like Man in the Mirror:the Michael Jackson Story, that was beyond awful

[Edited 11/3/16 22:15pm]

Suzanne wants to based the movie on MJs body guard book "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in his Final Days" a book that was written by Michael's bodyguards after he passed away. However, the book is full of lies and untruths that were later revealed by MJ fans and I also don't feel comfortable with a movie being based solely on the perspective of bodyguards which means its not going to be an accurate portrayel of Michael. I respect Suzanne Depasse but this will not end well with fans and the Estate. I will not support this if she decides to move forward with this movie and I pray she does not!

Lifetime was never known for it's factual accuracy.

mjscarousal said:

Goddess4Real said:

I thought it was gonna be a doco? Well I read that Former Motown Chief Suzanne DePasse was producing it and she did work The Temptations and The Jackson's An American Dream miniseries and they weren't too bad.......I don't know as long as it doesn't end up like Man in the Mirror:the Michael Jackson Story, that was beyond awful

[Edited 11/3/16 22:15pm]

Suzanne wants to based the movie on MJs body guard book "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in his Final Days" a book that was written by Michael's bodyguards after he passed away. However, the book is full of lies and untruths that were later revealed by MJ fans and I also don't feel comfortable with a movie being based solely on the perspective of bodyguards which means its not going to be an accurate portrayel of Michael. I respect Suzanne Depasse but this will not end well with fans and the Estate. I will not support this if she decides to move forward with this movie and I pray she does not!

Well it can't be worse than the upcoming "comedy" Elizabeth, Michael, & Marlon, with Joseph Finnes playing MJ. Now that is gonna be a trainwreck

[Edited 11/3/16 22:28pm]

purplethunder3121 said:

mjscarousal said:

Suzanne wants to based the movie on MJs body guard book "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in his Final Days" a book that was written by Michael's bodyguards after he passed away. However, the book is full of lies and untruths that were later revealed by MJ fans and I also don't feel comfortable with a movie being based solely on the perspective of bodyguards which means its not going to be an accurate portrayel of Michael. I respect Suzanne Depasse but this will not end well with fans and the Estate. I will not support this if she decides to move forward with this movie and I pray she does not!

Lifetime was never known for it's factual accuracy.

I feel you

But this is Michael Jackson, the greatest ever, they need to do it right, or not at all. I actually feel if she were to do it, she shouldn't do it with Lifetime because of this very reason.

Goddess4Real said:

mjscarousal said:

Suzanne wants to based the movie on MJs body guard book "Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in his Final Days" a book that was written by Michael's bodyguards after he passed away. However, the book is full of lies and untruths that were later revealed by MJ fans and I also don't feel comfortable with a movie being based solely on the perspective of bodyguards which means its not going to be an accurate portrayel of Michael. I respect Suzanne Depasse but this will not end well with fans and the Estate. I will not support this if she decides to move forward with this movie and I pray she does not!

Well it can't be worse than the upcoming "comedy" Elizabeth, Michael, & Marlon, with Joseph Finnes playing MJ. Now that is gonna be a trainwreck

[Edited 11/3/16 22:28pm]

Chile I remember that rumor Althogh it was just a rumor for attention, it was demeaning and disrespectful toward Michael and his family.

[img:$uid]http://68.media.tumblr.com/ef8796b0d363c0ae7297f491c9a6e1ab/tumblr_ofp2e26Sbm1s0ej0yo2_1280.jpg[/img:$uid]

[img:$uid]http://68.media.tumblr.com/85391622cca4f2888d4901cd41856bd9/tumblr_ofp2e26Sbm1s0ej0yo1_1280.jpg[/img:$uid]

https://soundcloud.com/mjayhd/michael-jackson-get-on-the-floor-you-gon-get-down-funk-remix

PatrickS77 said:

BS... The song was obviously meant for Barbara Streisand

MJJAEW9858 said:

PatrickS77 said:

Yeah. Me too. Don't quite understand what's supposed to be weird and bizarre about it. Sadly it's exactly his story.

The media just likes to make everything about MJ seem 'weird and bizarre'! They are pathetic and don't understand at all!!!

Goddess4Real said:

MJJAEW9858 said:

PatrickS77 said: The media just likes to make everything about MJ seem 'weird and bizarre'! They are pathetic and don't understand at all!!!

I still find it tragic that the focus is not on the music that he made but still on his perceived "strangeness." And on the allegations against him although he was aquitted in court. In this country, once you are accused, you are always condemned in the eyes of the public, no matter if you are acquitted. Thank God, Prince never had to go through such horrendous BS. No wonder he was so reclusive, especially after seeing the shit Michael went through...

purplethunder3121 said:

Goddess4Real said:

I still find it tragic that the focus is not on the music that he made but still on his perceived "strangeness." And on the allegations against him although he was aquitted in court. In this country, once you are accused, you are always condemned in the eyes of the public, no matter if you are acquitted. Thank God, Prince never had to go through such horrendous BS. No wonder he was so reclusive, especially after seeing the shit Michael went through...

Prince had a fuck you attitude where as Mj welcomed people with open arms. He shouldve been way more guarded especially after 93

heathilly said:

purplethunder3121 said:

I still find it tragic that the focus is not on the music that he made but still on his perceived "strangeness." And on the allegations against him although he was aquitted in court. In this country, once you are accused, you are always condemned in the eyes of the public, no matter if you are acquitted. Thank God, Prince never had to go through such horrendous BS. No wonder he was so reclusive, especially after seeing the shit Michael went through...

Prince had a fuck you attitude where as Mj welcomed people with open arms. He shouldve been way more guarded especially after 93

What really did MJ in was when he let that no good reporter from England follow him around uncensored and then let him broadcast that doc to the world. I saw it and my heart sank. MJ was much too open and unguarded. Prince, hardly ever. I don't blame him--but I certainly wouldn't want to live that way...

purplethunder3121 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

heathilly said:

Prince had a fuck you attitude where as Mj welcomed people with open arms. He shouldve been way more guarded especially after 93

What really did MJ in was when he let that no good reporter from England follow him around uncensored and then let him broadcast that doc to the world. I saw it and my heart sank. MJ was much too open and unguarded. Prince, hardly ever. I don't blame him--but I certainly wouldn't want to live that way...

Yes. That was the beginning of the end.

heathilly said:

purplethunder3121 said:

What really did MJ in was when he let that no good reporter from England follow him around uncensored and then let him broadcast that doc to the world. I saw it and my heart sank. MJ was much too open and unguarded. Prince, hardly ever. I don't blame him--but I certainly wouldn't want to live that way...

Oh yes then when they had his funeral there's bashir on tv saying he saw nothing wrong or innapproate. The song Stevie played they won't go was truly apt for him.

Yeah, Bashir didn't act like that when his documentary became a major media sensation. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on. If Michael really had something to hide, he wouldn't have let vultures like Bashir near him. Did Michael act his age and protect himself against the allegations that followed his behavior? No, he did not. But, the fact that he didn't is very revealing in and of itself. When I saw Michael climb that tree at Neverland and watched Bashir comment on it and saw Michael's reaction--like "What's wrong with what I'm doing?" I thought, here is a boy who hasn't grown up, living in his own world. It may be different and laden with issues...but that doesn't make it wrong.

purplethunder3121 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

heathilly said:

purplethunder3121 said: Oh yes then when they had his funeral there's bashir on tv saying he saw nothing wrong or innapproate. The song Stevie played they won't go was truly apt for him.

Yeah, Bashir didn't act like that when his documentary became a major media sensation. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on. If Michael really had something to hide, he wouldn't have let vultures like Bashir near him. Did Michael act his age and protect himself against the allegations that followed his behavior? No, he did not. But, the fact that he didn't is very revealing in and of itself. When I saw Michael climb that tree at Neverland and watched Bashir comment on it and saw Michael's reaction--like "What's wrong with what I'm doing?" I thought, here is a boy who hasn't grown up, living in his own world. It may be different and laden with issues...but that doesn't make it wrong.

he wasn't climbing on trees during OTW or Thriller

that was all stage for shock value, most of his fans of today can't see this.....

why in the world would this man need to sit up in a tree for inspiration to be able to write songs when fans always talk about all the songs he wrote when he was younger during his recordings with Quincy Jones.........

he was not a boy, he was a grown man

PatrickS77 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

What really did MJ in was when he let that no good reporter from England follow him around uncensored and then let him broadcast that doc to the world. I saw it and my heart sank. MJ was much too open and unguarded. Prince, hardly ever. I don't blame him--but I certainly wouldn't want to live that way...

Yes. That was the beginning of the end.

the beginning of the end was waaaaaaaaayyy before that