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ON THIS DAY IN HORROR - June 8th

"GHOSTBUSTERS" released in 1984

When three eccentric parapsychologists get kicked out of their positions at a university in New York City where they studied the occult, they decide to set up shop in an old firehouse and become Ghostbusters - trapping pesky ghosts, spirits, haunts, and poltergeists, in Ivan Reitman's classic horror comedy Ghostbusters!

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Parapsychologists Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, and Egon Spengler (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis) are called to the New York Public Library to investigate recent paranormal activity. They encounter the ghost of a dead librarian but are frightened away when she transforms into a horrifying monster. After losing their jobs at Columbia University, the trio establish a paranormal investigation and elimination service known as "Ghostbusters". They develop high-tech equipment capable of capturing ghosts and open their business in a disused, run-down firehouse. Egon warns them never to cross the energy streams of their proton pack weapons, as this could cause a catastrophic explosion. They capture their first ghost, Slimer, at a hotel and deposit it in a specially built containment unit in the firehouse basement. As paranormal activity increases in New York City, they hire a fourth member, Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), to cope with demand.  Events turn sinister when the Ghostbusters are retained by cellist Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), whose apartment is haunted by a demonic spirit, Zuul, a demigod worshipped as a servant to Gozer the Gozerian, a Sumerian shape-shifting god of destruction. Venkman takes a particular interest in the case, and competes with Dana's neighbor, accountant Louis Tully (Rick Moranis), for her affections. As the Ghostbusters investigate, Dana is demonically possessed by Zuul, which declares itself the "Gatekeeper", and Louis by a similar demon, Vinz Clortho, the "Keymaster". Both demons speak of the coming of the destructive Gozer and the release of the imprisoned ghosts, and the Ghostbusters take steps to keep the two apart. But their plans are thrown into disaray when  a lawyer representing the Environmental Protection Agency (and who also holds a personal grudge against Venkman) orders their ghost containment system deactivated, causing an explosion that releases hundreds of ghosts that begin to terrorize New York City!

TRIVIA:  There was an even more ferocious version of the Librarian Puppet that was going to be used, but it was rejected. However, it was recycled and used in another successful Columbia Pictures film released one year after this one, Fright Night (1985).

Top:   The Ghostbusters face off against the giant Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man!;

Above:   Stars Ernie Hudson, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murry with director Ivan reitman (center)

To commemorate the release of Ghostbusters today, IHdb has included a special 10-minute Behind the Scenes Featurette on the making of the movie. Including interviews with Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver and director Ivan Reitman, as well as a special look at the creation of the fantastic ghostly visual effects. Enjoy!

ROTTEN TOMATOES SCORE:   97%

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