 McDowell 's original script is far less comedic and much darker ; the Maitlands ' car crash is depicted graphically , with Barbara 's arm being crushed and the couple screaming for help as they slowly drown in the river . A reference to this remained in all versions of the script , as Barbara remarks that her arm feels cold upon returning home as a ghost . Instead of possessing the Deetzes and forcing them to dance during dinner , the Maitlands cause a vine @-@ patterned carpet to come to life and attack the Deetzes by tangling them to their chairs . 
