Unraveling the Mystery: Why the Movie Beetlejuice is Called That

The name of Tim Burton's iconic film Beetlejuice may seem quirky and playful, but it has its roots in a star's name. This article delves into the origin of the movie's title, the significance of the character's name, and the reasoning behind the phonetic spelling.

The Star Named Betelgeuse

At the heart of the movie's title lies a star named Betelgeuse, a red supergiant located in the constellation of Orion. Betelgeuse is the tenth-brightest star in the night sky and serves as Orion's right shoulder when viewed from Earth. Its name comes from the Arabic yad al-jauzā, meaning 'the hand of the Central One.' This star has been a prominent celestial landmark for centuries, inspiring legends and cultural references beyond the realms of astronomy.

The Crafting of Beetlejuice

The title of the movie, 'Beetlejuice,' is a playful phonetic transliteration of the star's name 'Betelgeuse.' This creative twist was insisted upon by Tim Burton, the visionary director, to honor the star and maintain the film's whimsical and rebellious spirit. Interestingly, the star's name is so similar to the movie's title that it can be easily confused, much like the star's existence until the name is properly pronounced.

Tim Burton's Vision

Tim Burton, known for his imaginative and quirky films, took a personal interest in the movie's title. He wanted to keep the phonetic spelling closer to the star's name, making it more appealing to audiences and maintaining the film's unique vibe. The name 'Beetlejuice' was chosen to evoke a playful, almost campy atmosphere that perfectly suited the film's spirit.

The Main Character: Beetlejuice

!Beetlejuice, the main character in the movie, is played by Michael Keaton. He portrays a mischievous and eccentric ghost who is summoned by the main character, a young girl named Lydia Deetz, by saying his name three times: 'Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.' This powerful incantation summons Beetlejuice to help the family leave their home, thereby setting the stage for the movie's enchanting and macabre adventure.

The Linguistic Play on Words

The combination of the phonetic spelling and the star's name creates a clever linguistic play on words. The word 'juice' in 'Beetlejuice' adds an extra layer of quirkiness and playfulness, complementing the star's name and the film's overall tone. The star 'Betelgeuse' is pronounced 'bet-LEHZsss,' and the similarity to 'Beetlejuice' helps maintain the film's whimsical and imaginative atmosphere.

This article has explored the etymology of the movie 'Beetlejuice' and how it relates to the star 'Betelgeuse.' The phonetic spelling and the star name create a magical tapestry of words and astronomy, blending the literal and the imaginative. If you have questions or other aspects of the film or the star that you would like to know more about, feel free to leave a comment below.