Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!Beetlejuice Beetlejuicewriter Alfred Gough has explained why the sequel’s possession dance scene doesn’t use “Banana Boat (Day-O)” like the original film does. One of the most memorable scenes from the first movie involves the Maitlands possessing the Deetz family and their guests, making them dance to “Banana Boat (Day-O)” by Harry Belafonte. Theend ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuicecontains a similar scene when Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) tries to marry Lydia (Winonna Ryder) again, this time possessing her family and other characters to lip sync to “MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Gough explained howthe decision to use “MacArthur Park” instead of “Banana Boat (Day-O)” inBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s possession scene came from director Tim Burton.The writer explained how the director’s suggestion helped them write out an ever-evolving possession sequence. He also explains how Betelgeuse was never the one to use Belafonte’s tune in the original, meaning it made sense for him to use a different song for his own dance scene. Check out what Gough had to say below:
Once we had the script down and everything was working, that’s when you can go through and really iterate ideas and attempt to find the zag when you think it’s going to zig.
We all wanted a musical number. We just didn’t know what it was. It all felt like the movie was wrapping up too neatly. And then Tim called us…. We went and listened to [MacArthur Park], and then we just wrote out a musical number based on that. And then we kept evolving it. We were like, ‘Yes! That’s the crazy, weird, insane thing you need at the end of this movie.’
What’s interesting is Beetlejuice doesn’t actually do ‘Day-O.’ It’s actually the Maitlands who do it to the Deetzes. So for this one, we were like, ‘How do we make it where it could be Beetlejuice being the crazy ringleader of that whole situation?’
What “MacArthur Park” In Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Means For The Movie
The Scene Gives The Sequel Its Own Identity
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s “MacArthur Park” dance sceneis a vibrant conclusion for the movie, as Betelgeuse forces Lydia, Delia (Catherine O’Hara), Astrid (Jenna Ortega), Rory (Justin Theroux), and Father Damien (Burn Gorman) to participate as a wedding cake rolls out and celebratory lights flash.The sequence is rooted in the same zaniness as the previous film, bolstered by Keaton’s character being the one to possess multiple people instead of the Maitlands like the first movie. It makes for a new yet memorable reminder of the titular characters' chaotic power and willingness to use it for ridiculous sequences.
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The moment also helps differentiate the sequel from the original movie, with “Banana Boat (Day-O)” only being used when a choir of children sing it during Charles Deetz’s funeral. Instead of relying on it to directly reference the original with a repeated possession sequence,it seems Burton wanted to ensure comparisons could be made without being directly lifted from the first film. This way, thecast ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuicecould participate in a nostalgic scene that doesn’t feel too repetitive when compared to the original.
Our Take On Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s “MacArthur Park” Scene
It’s The Perfect Parallel To The Original
While the possession dance scene inBeetlejuice Beetlejuicedoesn’t use “Banana Boat (Day-O),” the use of “MacArthur Park” instead helps it stand out in contrast to the original. Giving the sequel its own identity with a new song helps it feel like its own movie instead of just a nostalgic trip for the franchise. The possession scene helped make its mark on the film, giving it an original identity with a memorable finale.
As of writing,Beetlejuice Beetlejuicehas earned $147.2 million at the global box office against a budget of $100 million.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Cast
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to the original Tim Burton classic that starred Michael Keaton and Wynona Rider in a horror-comedy that involved ghosts trying to scare off new homebuyers from taking their house. The sequel brings back Michael Keaton as the hilarious and sleazy ghost with selfish intentions, now joined by Jenna Ortega in a new role.
