Why Vermont called Beetlejuice back for more

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Moving northward along the eastern United States, you’ll notice that the political climate tends to lean more towards liberalism as you progress. Starting from the warmly conservative atmosphere of Florida, traversing the politically complex Washington D.C., the diverse and affluent New York City, and the intellectually liberal Massachusetts, eventually leading you to Vermont – a place where tradition seems to be waning, much like the state itself. This could be why Tim Burton, known for his unique and unconventional style, decided to film the exterior scenes of Beetlejuice’s sequel here instead of using a studio. The original Beetlejuice was filmed in Vermont, near East Corinth, where the iconic gothic house built specifically for the movie still stands on a hill. During the production of the sequel, two unusual incidents occurred: the theft of a large lamppost adorned with a distinctive pumpkin ornament and an abstract artwork from a cemetery’s vicinity. I am here to explore what drew the director to this state and how it offers visitors a distinctly different perspective on American culture.