Thirty-two years ago, a movie about four guys defending New York City from the paranormal hit theaters. It would go on to spawn an empire — comic books, sequels, remakes, television shows, toys, the whole shebang.
Roger Ebert gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars. Rotten Tomatoes says it's still 97% fresh.
Yep, we're talking about Ghostbusters.
The idea for the first movie was originally conceived by Saturday Night Live alumni Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. The two comedian friends wrote the first version of the script together, which at the time involved time traveling and magic wands.
After Belushi’s death, Aykroyd (who went on to play Dr. Raymond Stantz in the film) rewrote the script with Harold Ramis (who went on to play Dr. Egon Spengler). Together, the two altered characters, cast members, and the overall plotline.
In his 1984 review, Ebert wrote, " Ghostbusters is a head-on collision between two comic approaches that have rarely worked together very successfully. This time, they do."
Very successful is right. This summer, the story is getting an all-female makeover and vying to be a blockbuster once more.
In honor of the Ghostbusters reboot, in theaters July 15, here are a few facts about the first film that even the biggest fans might not know.
Ghostbusters was the second-highest-grossing film of 1984 behind Beverly Hills Cop, beating both Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.The rewrite of the script was done in the basement of Aykroyd’s Martha's Vineyard home.
Video via YouTube.
The Sedgwick Hotel in the film, where the Ghostbusters capture a ghost in a ballroom, is actually the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.The cast revealed that they "stole shots" all over Fifth Avenue, meaning they filmed scenes without the proper permits, but were never caught.
Video via YouTube.
Paddi Edwards was the (uncredited) woman behind Gozer's demonic voice. She also did voice-over work for Disney in The Little Mermaid and Hercules.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.After Belushi’s death in 1982, Bill Murray took on the role intended for the late actor, Dr. Peter Venkman, a parapsychologist and leader of the crew.
Video via YouTube.
Aykroyd continued to be fascinated by ghosts, aliens, and the unknown. Twenty-one years after Ghostbusters, he released Dan Aykroyd Unplugged on UFOs, a documentary filled with interviews, footage of supposed extraterrestrial sightings, and the actor's own personal accounts.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.Aykroyd joked that Slimer was a representation of the late Belushi and was based on his party-guy personality.
Video via YouTube.
To accommodate all of the special effects, the producers had to create their own special effects company. It was headed by Richard Edlund, who also did the effects for Star Trek.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.The iconic line “I ain’t scared of no ghost” is actually from a Disney short, Lonesome Ghosts. It was released three days after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Goofy was the first person, or animal, to deliver the now-classic line. In the scene, Donald Duck tells Goofy he can't take the spookiness of the haunted house, to which Goofy responds, "I ain't scared of no ghosts!"
Video via YouTube.
Dana Barrett’s (Sigourney Weaver) apartment was located in a real New York building — 55 Central Park West at 65th Street. It's known for its distinct art deco facade, and was once home to recognizable names like designers Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.One of the villains in the film is the fictional mascot Stay Puft Marshmallow. The character's appearance was inspired by Michelin's smushy mascot, Bibendum, and the Pillsbury Doughboy.
Video via YouTube.
The term "parapsychology" was first used in the late 19th century by philosopher Max Dessoir. It was used once again in the 1930s by J.B. Rhine to describe a new shift toward experimental studies relating to psychology and the paranormal. If you are interested in pursuing parapsychology yourself, there are a few real-life schools that offer the metaphysical degree.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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