Ghostbusters Appreciation: Who Ya Gonna Call?

Rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 13 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ghostbusters Appreciation: Who Ya Gonna Call?

Ghostbusters is a science-fiction comedy film written by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, originally released on June 8, 1984. The film and its theme song experienced long-lasting success, becoming a staple in 80's pop culture.

On this page: Synopsis | Buy the DVD | Poll | Autographs | Real Ghostbusters animated series | The Proton Pack | Music Video 

Synopsis of the Ghostbusters Series 

Ghostbusters deals with an underdog crew of parapsychologists who establish an emergency service organization in New York City for the sole purpose of investigating, catching and containing ghosts. Composed of sarcastic Dr. Peter Venkman [Bill Murray], enthusiastic paranormal historian Dr. Ray Stanz [Dan Aykroyd], oddball scientist Egon Spengler [Harold Ramis] and reasonably-minded Winston Zeddmore [Ernie Hudson,] the team of four respond to emergency calls rung from their poorly renovated firehouse base by secretary Janine Melnitz [Annie Potts]. They race to the scene like a police squad, via their Ecto-1 vehicle - an antique ambulance converted to a gear-laden transport.

In order to catch ghosts, the team uses sophisticated "proton packs" conceptualized by Egon: back-worn nuclear acceleration devices that stream forth energy beams from special neutrona wands, that are used to ensnare their ecotoplasmic adversaries. As a finisher, a ghost trap is pulled from the proton pack and slid under the ensnared ghost, then opened in a flash of blinding light - effectively vacuuming the ghost within the trap. Once returning back to base, the trap is inserted within a special containment unit, and removed once the transfer is complete.

The Ghostbusters tend to receive ill will from city officials, being dismissed as crocks and hooligans. However, their heroic stand against monstrous specters such as Sumerian god Gozer the Gozerian and Vigo save the city from annihilation. One of their most famous battles is against the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, a manifestation of Ray's imagination that came to life once Gozer proposed that the arriving traveler's form be chosen. Its lumbering, building-high marshmallow body added to the comic relief of the first movie.

Also notable is the mischievous, always hungry green ghost who Peter refers to as a "spud," later named "Slimer" for an incident involving his collision with Peter at the Sedgewick Hotel. Slimer would later become a merchandising powerhouse for numerous Ghostbuster-themed memorabilia.

Ghostbusters Sequel...and the Future? 

In June of 1989, Ghostbusters II: a sequel for the series was released, following a dry spell in the Ghostbusting business, when the guys are called forth again to investigate what is later seen as a haunted painting depicting Vigo the Carpathian, who later raises havoc by invoking ghosts all over New York City with its very presence.

The franchise was later rumored to have had a Ghostbusters III in the works, slated for a theatrical release sometime in 1995, featuring actors Will Smith and Chris Farley. Due to lapses in the screenplay's progress, the death of Chris Farley and a refusal of participation by actor Bill Murray, the film never came to fruition. The rumors re-surfaced throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, giving light to the next plot involving the travel between modern day New York City, and its evil alternate hell dimension.

Ghostbusters became a lucrative merchandising venue, spanning a vast action figure and play set series, trading cards, clothing, stickers, arcade, computer and console games, and seemingly endless categories of collectibles. To this day, it still maintains a strong fan base, of which has achieved impressive feats such as construction of movie-accurate proton pack props and replica suits.

Ghostbusters on DVD 

Own the original double-feature in all its crystal clear glory! Now with extended features, interviews, original art and deleted scenes that are sure to please...in this wonderfully green box.

Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection

Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

What's Your Favorite Ghostbusters line? 

Vote for your favorite!

#1

Zeddmore: "Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say YES!"

1 point

#2

Spengler: "I collect spores, molds, and fungus."

1 point

#3

Stanz: "I tried to think of the most harmless thing. Something I loved from my childhood. Something that could never ever possibly destroy us. Mr. Stay Puft!"

1 point

#4

Spengler: "Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light."

1 point

#5

Venkman: "Well, there's something you don't see every day."

0 points

#6

Venkman: "It's Miller time!" (after Gozer is defeated)

0 points

#7

Venkman: "Let's show this prehistoric bitch how we do things downtown."

0 points

Ghostbusters Signed Memorabilia 

Get some wall space ready!

eBay is a great place to snag some Ghostbusters signed memorabilia...especially since getting a Bill Murray autograph on anything Ghostbusters-related can be a seemingly impossible task.

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

The Real Ghostbusters 

The animated series based off of the movie

On September 13, 1986 - Colombia Pictures and DiC Animation released what became one of the greatest and most successful cartoon series of the 1980s: the Real Ghostbusters. Based loosely after the motion picture, the setting of the cartoon took place after the end of the movie, as the four guys continued to protect New York from supernatural threats: such as the Bogeyman, Samhain, Cthulhu, and hordes of runaway ghosts. With compelling plots, great background music composed by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban, the series lasted for 140 episodes and concluded on October 22, 1991.

The cartoon series was also interesting in the sense that the four Ghostbusters didn't resemble those of the movie's actors. In addition, each one wore a differently tinted jump suit. They also kept Slimer as a pet (originally, Egon wanted to keep him for scientific observation, but he became more of a "family pet" instead) - who constantly annoyed and played pranks on Peter.

Several years before the series' demise, the show was brought into a new format as "Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters," which mixed in short Slimer episodes to appease the young viewers.

Watch original Real Ghostbusters toy, cereal and product commercials!

Real Ghostbusters cartoon episodes on DVD 

The original ABC Saturday Morning cartoon on DVD - since they never released the series in seasonal format, all we have as of yet are these individual DVDs:

The Real Ghostbusters - Creatures of the Night

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $9.95

Usually ships in 6 to 10 days

The Real Ghostbusters - Slimefighters

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $9.95

Usually ships in 6 to 9 days

The Real Ghostbusters - Spooky Spirits

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $9.95

Usually ships in 6 to 10 days

Ghostbusters Original Toys 

Ebay is the #1 source for finding the original Ghostbuster action figure and playset line:

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

Ghostbusters Make the Arcade & Home Console 

A series of video games for the movie & cartoon

In 1984, the first official Ghostbusters video game was released by Activision for the home PC (including Commodore 64), Atari 2600, NES and Sega Master System consoles. Beginning in map mode, players drive around a top-down view of the city, to buildings marked with ghosts. The game then switches to a fixed side-scrolling environment, where players have to defeat ghosts with a variety of weapons that could be purchased (many of which didn't even come close to representing proton streams). The city's PKE meter was displayed on the map, and the goal of the game was to achieve an income of $10,000 by the time it reached full power.

An arcade game fashioned after the Real Ghostbusters cartoon was released by Data East in 1987. Unlike the previous game, this one was a 3rd person perspective scrolling arcade/action game where a player took control of one of the four Ghostbusters, as they blasted and ran their way around each level. After shooting a ghost, it would become a vapor which could then become captured with the usage of a trap.

Watch gameplay footage of Ghostbusters games 

Several titles are included:


Ghostbusters - Sega Master System

Runtime: 8:26
15137 views
10 Comments:


Peet's Favourite Video Games - Ghostbusters

Runtime: 7:23
26747 views
10 Comments:


NES GHOST BUSTERS

Runtime: 6:10
67232 views
10 Comments:


Ghostbusters 2 NES

Runtime: 17:20
26943 views
10 Comments:

The New Ghostbusters Game? 

Speculation becomes reality

In early 2007, rumors about a brand new Ghostbusters game for the XBOX 360 surfaced, featuring several eye-popping videos that fans had hoped were not simply part of some graphic artist's portfolio. They were indeed very real, as spoken about in this article on IGN. Basically no other information is available - but, don't miss out on the preliminary teaser videos! The game is rumored to be released sometime in 2008.

Ghostbusters for the XBOX: Teaser Trailers 


Ghostbusters 3 Video Game


Ghostbusters gameplay prototype (Xbox 360)


Ghostbusters game driving protptype (Xbox 360)

Ghostbusters Movie Memorabilia 

Keep an eye out on this page, to see what comes up in this treasure chest of original 80's Ghostbusters memorabilia. Lots of great hand-signed photos, too!

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

The Proton Pack 

Devised and created by Columbia Pictures, the Proton Pack of the Ghostbusters series was an obviously fictional back-mounted nuclear accelerator or positron collider. It streamed forth a positively-charged energy beam from a hand-held particle thrower that would trap negatively-charged spirits, effectively holding them for immediate entrapment, and was developed by Dr. Spengler in the movie. In the late 1980s, the Kenner toy company produced a plastic Proton Pack toy, as well as a projecting/modulating Particle Thrower toy.

Several Ghostbuster fans took it upon themselves to make movie-accurate renditions of the proton pack. Although it is a labor of love, it's a pretty daunting task that requires a lot of time, patience, and the right shop tools. Many resources exist for anyone looking to create their own Proton Pack - even down to exact replicas of the warning stickers located on various areas of the pack and wand!

:: Visit our section on Proton Packs!

Home Made Proton Pack in Action 

Take a look at one of the most accurate homemade Proton Packs ever assembled:

proton pack

I've only got one complete proton pack with lights and sound and this ancient "prototype" is it. You Ghostbusters fans out there should get a kick out of it!

Runtime: 2:36
20528 views
10 Comments:

powered by YouTube

Visit Our Section on Proton Packs! 

Ghostbusters theme song & music video 

Ghostbusters Music Video

Beyond the hit movie was the Ray Parker, Jr. theme song for the movie, which had three consecutive weeks in the #1 Billboard spot. The song is responsible for an approximate sale of some 28 million copies of the Ghostbusters movie soundtrack. In addition, a music video was released, featuring various celebrity appearances, and a New York City street appearance by Parker Jr. and the four Ghostbusters.

Watch the Ghostbusters music video 


Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters

Runtime: 4:57
465318 views
10 Comments:


Bobby Brown - On Our Own from Ghostbusters II

Runtime: 4:30
365581 views
10 Comments:

Ghostbusters soundtracks & related music 

Ghostbusters

The original soundtrack from Arista, featuring the hit title theme, as well as these other tracks:

1. Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.
2. Cleanin' Up The Town - The Bus Boys
3. Savin' The Day - Alessi
4. In The Name Of Love - The Thompson TwinsListen
5. I Can Wait Forever - Air Supply
6. Hot Night - Laura Branigan
7. Magic - Mick Smiley
8. Main Title Theme (Ghostbusters) - Elmer Bernstein
9. Dana's Theme - Elmer Bernstein
10. Ghostbusters (Instrumental Version) - Ray Parker Jr.
11. Disco Inferno - The Trammps
12. Ghostbusters (12 Inch Single Remix) - Ray Parker Jr.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $11.98

Ghostbusters II

The sequel soundtrack has been discontinued, but you can still grab it on Amazon!

1. On Our Own - Bobby Brown
2. Supernatural - New Edition
3. Promised Land - James "J.T." Taylor
4. We're Back - Bobby Brown
5. Spirit - Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew
6. Ghostbusters - Run D.M.C.
7. Flesh 'N Blook - Oingo Boingo
8. Love Is a Cannibal - Elton John
9. Flip City - Glenn Grey
10. Higher and Higher - Howard Huntsberry

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
List Price: $13.98

Reader Feedback 

Ghostbuster fans, leave your comments here:

azac

A very thorough and complete look at the Ghostbusters franchise. Very well done and organized. I am sure fans are still hoping a third movie is still possible. I would love to see that. That proton pack is wicked!

Posted August 05, 2008

TheGalacticGroundhog

Terrific lens! I wish they'd release the entire Ghostbusters animated series on DVD!

Posted July 24, 2008

thomasz

Nice Lens. Ghostbusters are awesome/

Posted January 30, 2008

ShortSaleRealtor

awesome lens 5 stars 4 u

Posted January 23, 2008

blondeheroine

What a fantastic lens! I loved, loved, loved this movie.

Posted July 14, 2007

 
1 of 2 pages

What's here

Save and Share

Report this lens as spam or adult

This lens belongs to

Tags

Stats

LensRank #1,267
Updated yesterday
Rated G. You control which lenses you see

Lensroll