| Type | Real Estate Company |
| Location | New York |
| Owner(s) | Maxie Dean |
| Featured in | Beetlejuice |
Botco Industries (aka Botco International) is a major real estate corporation featured in the 1988 horror-comedy film Beetlejuice.
Overview[]
Botco Industries, a prominent land development and real estate powerhouse in New York, was led by the highly successful Maxie Dean, renowned for his joint ventures with foreign partners on high-profile projects.
The company thrived during the tenure of its star agent, Charles Deetz, whom Dean himself once described as a "demon." However, after Deetz suffered a nervous breakdown, he was forced to retire and relocate to Connecticut, seeking a quieter life to restore his peace of mind. Despite Deetz's departure, the company continued to thrive, even embarking on a joint venture with a Japanese firm.
History[]
When Charles Deetz suffered a nervous breakdown, he was forced into early retirement and relocated from the city to the tranquil village of Winter River, Connecticut. Initially seeking a peaceful life filled with birdwatching, Deetz soon recognized the untapped real estate potential of Winter River, realizing he could easily purchase the entire town. Unable to resist the opportunity, he reverted to his "demonic" ways, contacting his former employer, Maxie Dean, to pitch an idea: transforming the serene village into a bustling tourist destination. However, Dean dismissed the proposal, deeming Winter River too remote and mocking Deetz for even suggesting it.
Undeterred, Deetz hatched a bold new plan after discovering his new home was haunted. He envisioned turning Winter River into a paranormal-themed amusement park, complete with carnival rides, a wax museum commemorating 50 great moments in paranormal history at the village’s Thanksgiving Park, an insect zoo, and even converting most of the town into a massive parking lot. Confident in his vision, Deetz invited Maxie Dean and his wife to Winter River, hoping the spectacle of real ghosts would persuade them to invest. Dean, however, remained skeptical until Deetz's eccentric acquaintance, Otho, claimed he could summon the ghosts using a mysterious book, The Handbook for the Recently Deceased. Though Otho succeeded, his attempt backfired disastrously, unintentionally exorcising the poor ghosts haunting the Deetz home.
The ghosts were ultimately saved by the timely arrival of the ghost with the most, Beetlejuice the Bio-Exorcist, who materialized as a living amusement park—a twisted embodiment of Charles Deetz's greedy ambitions. In a climactic display, Beetlejuice humorously launched Maxie Dean and his wife through the roof with a carnival test of strength, sending them flying and leaving Deetz's plans in shambles. Despite this, upon getting to know the ghosts, Deetz was more than happy to co-exist with them peacefully. Maxie Dean had also apparently survived his encounter with Beetlejuice and likely continued running Botco Industries unimpeded, but whether his experience with the paranormal changed his outlook on life in any way is uncertain.
Trivia[]
- All mentions of Botco Industries in the film's original script never made it onto film, including Maxie Dean's secretary.
- In the original script for the film, Maxie Dean was described as having white hair and a heavy tan. In the script, Maxie's wife was also present with him in his office during Charles' phone conversation with him.