| | | | Ghostbusters
(1984) |
ake three off-beat scientists. Give them enough particle power to blast anything that gets in their way. And what do you get? GHOSTBUSTERS!
After being kicked out of their cushy jobs at Columbia University, Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, and Egon Spengler start their own business ... busting ghosts. Things are kind of slow at first, but business really begins to pick up as soon as they get their first customer, Dana Barrett.
With the coming of Gozer, all hell is breaking loose. There are ghosts all over the city -- from Chinatown to Rockefeller Plaza. To make matters worse, Dana and her neighbor Louis Tully are possessed by two demons who are the key to bringing Gozer into our world. The Ghostbusters are the only thing that stands between Gozer and the end of the world as we know it ...
True 80's fans will be pleased to know that we even have music montaging here too! The "Ghost Fever Grips New York" montage, in which the actions of the Ghostbusters are paralleled with newspaper and magazine headlines proclaiming their success, is one of the films best sequences.
The project originated with a script written by Dan Aykroyd. A card-carrying member of the American Society for Psychical Research, Aykroyd had for years been interested in paranormal activity. Inspired by that lifelong fascination, Aykroyd devised a premise that was packed with comedic possibilities. -What if ghosts were real and a team of scientists formed a company to deal with them, as they might any other household pest?
Armed only with that premise and a half-completed script, Aykroyd managed to arouse the interest of director Ivan Reitman. Excited by the basic idea, Reitman enlisted Harold Ramis to collaborate with Aykroyd in developing that concept into a full-fledged script. Backed by formidable talent (namely Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver) and box office appeal, Reitman was able to secure a financial commitment from Columbia Pictures almost immediately -- a remarkable feat considering there was no script and no budget.
The deal with Columbia had one big hitch. The studio needed a major release for the summer of 1984. Reitman and his team had exactly one year to come up with a script, mount the production and complete the extensive and time-consuming visual effects. With a final script in hand, Reitman and his production team gathered in New York in late October for three-and-a-half weeks of principal photography.
Reassembling in Los Angeles for an additional nine weeks of shooting both on-location and on soundstages. The filming was completed in early February, leaving special effects supervisor Richard Edlund and his crew less than four months in which to complete nearly two hundred post-production opticals. In spite of the scope of the project and the tight schedule, every member of the production team delivered -- and delivered big.
In its first week of release, Ghostbusters broke Columbia's "best opening weekend" and "best opening week" records. "Who ya gonna call?" became the summer's most popular catch phrase. Ghostbusters quickly climbed into the rarified "top ten" list of all-time box office attractions.
The film was so successful that two years later, in 1986, it would be resurrected on television as an animated series -- "The Real Ghostbusters." In 1988, the series would be reformatted and retitled "Slimer & The Real Ghostbusters," in order to appeal to younger kids (big mistake!).
A year later, a second film was made -- the appropriately titled "Ghostbusters II." Almost a decade later, in 1997, a new animated series was released -- Extreme Ghostbusters. This series focused on Egon and Janine mentoring a new crew of Ghostbusters. This is the same concept Dan Aykroyd has for a third Ghostbusters film, for which he has even completed the first draft of the script. However, as of this writing, Columbia Pictures turned down the idea of a "Ghostbusters 3" fearing that it would cost too much money to make.
 Don't forget that Ghostbusters is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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An true classic. Another 80's example of the perfect blend or comedy, horror, science fiction, and big-budget special effects. There has never been another film like it, and there probably never will be.
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The actress playing Gozer is a Czech fashion model, Slavitza Jovan, but her voice is provided by Paddi Edwards. The Czech actress originally spoke with her own voice, but because of her accent, Bill Murray thought she was saying "Jews and berries" when in fact she was saying "Choose and perish"!  -Thanks to Jonathan Lim
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The original idea for Ghostbusters (as Aykroyd first had it) was that the boys were going to actually be time-travellers, moving back and forth through time to stop gigantic monsters and ghosts --think a full movie of "Stay-Puft" level spooks. It was turned down because the costs were extremely prohibitive. -Thanks to Sabermane
There are subtle hints to the Marshmallow Man finale throughout the film - when Dana is unpacking her groceries before the eggs start to bubble on the counter, she unpacks a large bag of Stay Puft Marshmallows. Later in the film, there is a large poster advertising Stay Puft Marshmallows on the side of a building. -Thanks to Gem
The voice of Peter Venkman in the Real Ghostbusters cartoon was done by popular 80's cartoon voice-over man Lorenzo Music, who also does Garfield the cat's voice in Garfield and Friends. Everyone knows who voiced Garfield in the recent live-action film....yup, Bill Murray! The strange 80's voice-over circle is complete. -Thanks to Davey
The "dream sequence", in which Ray makes out with a ghost, is actually part of a much longer scene that was cut from the film. Ray and Winston travel to Fort Detmerring to take care of their ghost problem. Upon arriving, they converse with a park ranger, who tells them of the situation. Ray and Winston split up and explore the fort. Ray winds up in the Single Officers' Quarters, where he tries on one of the old uniforms. He lays down on the bed and opens his eyes to see the female ghost just inches away from his body. She unzips his pants, just as Winston approaches the room from the hallway. Winston hears sounds coming from the room and calls to Ray to ask if he's okay. Ray yells back, "Later, Man!!"
Yet another deleted scene (not on the DVD) has a meter maid putting a ticket on the Ectomobile, but the windshield whipers of the car keep flinging them off. No-one is inside the car either. This scene was supposed to emphasize that the vehicle had supernatural powers since it comes in contact with a lot of ghosts. -Thanks to Andrew
Winston's resume has him listed as being a special forces operative. :) -Thanks to Andrew
Actress Paddi Edwards, who provides the voice for Gozer in "Ghostbusters" , also did more vocal work for another '80's film. She is the 2 eels , Flotsam and Jetsam, in the 1989 Walt Disney classic, "The Littlie Mermaid". -Thanks to Amy Green
The beautiful woman ghost in Dan Aykroyd's dream, is actually his real life wife and ex-model Donna Dixon. -Thanks to Holly Smith
The original name used for the popular ghost Slimer was "Onion Head" Audiences tagged him with the name "Slimer", hence why he is credited as such in the sequel and the cartoon series based on the film. -Thanks to Jamie
1980's pop singer Debbie Gibson makes an appearance in the film. She's the girl with the pink bow in her hair, celebrating her birthday at the Tavern on the Green.
When Peter Venkman spies Dana for the first time at Ghostbusters HQ he runs to greet her personally. In his haste he jumps the gate and as he does so you can hear a click as his foot catches it. Being the professional that he is, Bill Murray doesnt even look back but carries on with the scene. -Thanks to Paul Wilson
During the scene in which the ghost containment unit is shut off and the ghosts escape as a pink explosion from the roof of the Ghostbusters' building, if you look to a building on the left you'll see a faded advertisement for Stay Puft Marshmellows, complete with a picture of Mr. Stay Puft, foreshadowing his arrival later in the movie. -Thanks to Rafael Orduna
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Find much more great trivia in the filmmaker's commentary on the Ghostbusters DVD.
Rediscover your favorites! If you like
Ghostbusters or 80's Sci-Fi / Fantasy classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Empire Strikes Back ..... Night of the Comet ..... Aliens ..... Back To The Future ..... Last Starfighter ..... Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home ..... Circuitry Man ..... Brazil ..... Blade Runner ..... Thing ..... Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan ..... Return to Oz ..... Starman ..... Somewhere In Time ..... Strange Invaders ..... Short Circuit .....[More]
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Pre-production was well underway before anyone realized that Filmation had produced a short lived Saturday morning children's show called "The Ghost Busters" during the 1975-76 television season. Columbia quickly entered into negotiations with Filmation to secure rights to the title. Through most of the New York location photography, Ivan Reitman and the crew were uncertain as to what their film would eventually be called. At one point, it was going to be called "Ghoststoppers," but Columbia finally struck a deal with Filmation that allowed use of the original title.
Dan Aykroyd was heavily involved in the development of the movie from top to bottom. He originally wanted to call it "Ghost Smashers." -Thanks to Jonathan Lim
Director Ivan Reitman wasn't initially convinced that actress Sigourney Weaver was right for the part of Dana/Zuul. She changed his mind by scaring him when she jumped around his office, growling, snarling, and chewing on pillows like a dog! -Thanks to Amy Green
The melted marshmallow is really shaving cream.
At one point the character of Louis Tully had twin Rottweilers and a German accent. This was later changed to the character we now know and love (many would say for the better). -Thanks to Young Han
The character of Louis Tully was originally to be played by John Candy.
Dan Aykroyd originally wanted John Belushi to play Peter Venkmen, but Dan picked Bill after news of John's death. -Thanks to Nathan
Dan Aykroyd conceived Slimer, the obnoxious green spirit, as a movie manifestation of John Belushi's ghost. I heard him admit this to Johnny Carson one evening on the Tonight Show. -Thanks to David And Maxine
Sandra Bernhart was originally supposed to play Janine and Paul Reubens was supposed to play the Character "Gozer". -Thanks to Riggz
Eddie Murphy was originally supposed to play the role of "Winston Zeddemore" -Thanks to Max Gardner
The role of Winston, before Eddie Murphy was considered for the part, was to be played by Gregory Hines and he was supposed to be a security man for the company.
One of the original concepts for the Ecto-1 was a black hearse with purple strobe light bars! -Thanks to Thad Jameson
An even more ferocious version of the library ghost mechanical puppet was created and rejected. However, it did appear in another classic 1980's film -- "Fright Night".
Dan Aykroyd's original version of the script began with the Ecto-mobile flying out of the Ghostbusters headquaters, but director Ivan Reitman suggested it would be better to show how the team got started.
The demonic voice of Dana/Zuul was performed by director Ivan Reitman. -Thanks to Ari Silver
When you see Mr. "Stay Puft" for the first time, you'll notice that he has a tie around his neck. But when The Ghostbusters zap him, his neck tie appears to have disappeared. -Thanks to Matt
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|  |  |  | | Ghostbusters
Locations |
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 Featured Movie Location: The Ghostbusters fire house
Wanna see the real life filming location used for The Ghostbusters fire house in the movie? These scenes were actually shot at A fire station, located in New York, New York. [New! Show Google Map]
See the link to the locations tour for more details.
Dana Barrett's apartment building at 59 Central Park West does actually exist and is at the same address. However this only applies to the bottom half. The top half with the temple rooftop was added on by means of a matt painting (long shots) and a model (medium shots) [Thanks to Adrian Smith]
The firhouse used for exteriors in the both movies (Hook & Ladder 8) is located on N. Moore St. in Manhattan, and is still in operation. They have the plastic sign from Ghostbuters 2 still hanging in the garage bay. [Thanks to Kevin Colden]
The front and various interiors of the New York Public Library were actually used for the film. Obvious, yes, but it's cool to visit for more than just reading material! [Thanks to Alexander Brandon]
Tavern on the Green (Restaurant in Central Park was where Rick Moranis was tapping on the windows asking for help when he was being chased. [Thanks to Stuart]
Featured Link: Ghostbusters Shooting Locations Tour
See any errors? Something we've missed? [Let us know]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[5.1 CH SURROUND]](dd5.gif) | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes |
| Our
Comments: New remastered special edition set including sequel |
| | | | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes |
| Our
Comments: New remastered special edition set including sequel |
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Update: Elmer Bernstein's complete film score for "Ghostbusters" has finally been released! Varese Sarabande Records has released a special Limited Edition CD of just 3,000 copies. Get in quick, folks! [Thanks to Chris Shaneyfelt]
The original soundtrack CD includes the Academy Award-nominated "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr., plus hits from The Bus Boys, The Thompson Twins, Air Supply, Laura Brannigan, and other artists whose songs appear in the film. It also contains two selections from Elmer Bernstein's amazing score for the film. It was newly remastered on CD in Feb 2006 to sound even better!
Not long after the "GhostBusters" theme song was released as a single, Ray Parker Jr. & Ivan Reitman found themselves hit with a lawsuit by 80's rock star Huey Lewis, who had originally been approached to write the music for the movie. But after he turned them down, his band & crew could clearly hear the melody of their song "I Want A New Drug" had been pirated by Parker to compose the theme. It was eventually settled out of court, but the "GhostBusters" theme went to #1 on the Billboard charts anyway (Most fans of the film had no idea what had been happening). Either way, "GhostBusters" or "I Want A New Drug" can arguably be considered Huey Lewis's first Top 40 single to hit #1, but was Ray Parker Jr.'s last Top 40 hit, period. Today, Parker remains a hitmaker in the jazz world. -Thanks to C.T. Warren
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Click here to add new music trivia for Ghostbusters
Soundtrack Available:
On CD
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