Buzz
The moment 'Ghostbusters' graced the big screen, it was clear this was no ordinary film. Instantly captivating, it became a childhood staple and played a significant role in shaping the generation of its time.
Not only did it break new ground in the world of comedy films with its hefty budget, but it also proved that alumni from 'Saturday Night Live' could truly transition into major movie stars. (Though we must admit, 'The Ladies Man' still holds a special place in our hearts.)
Like most cultural phenomena, the success of 'Ghostbusters' took everyone by surprise. In fact, the movie nearly never came to be. Here are 10 more astonishing facts about one of the best films of the 1980s.
10. Hell On Wheels
The Ectomobile, also known as the Ecto-1, is as legendary as the black Pontiac from Knight Rider and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. A car like this has the power to define the atmosphere of a scene and inspire a wave of merchandise. However, the Ecto-1 wasn’t always the iconic vehicle it is today. In fact, it nearly wasn’t anything at all.
Initially, the car used by the Ghostbusters was intended to be a pink Cadillac ambulance. Fortunately, that idea was scrapped, and the decision was made to paint it all black. Then, Stephen Dane stepped in, designing the extravagant, siren-wailing, light-blinking response vehicle we now recognize and love.
Though it commanded attention on-screen, the all-black Ecto was a nightmare to film during nighttime scenes, as cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs explained. Despite the difficulties, fans are fortunate that any footage of the Ectomobile exists. As Dan Aykroyd confessed, the car was a wreck—it was constantly breaking down and barely functioning between takes on set.
9. Who’s On First?
Casting changes are a common part of the movie-making process, but for an unproven franchise in its early days, alterations were happening constantly on the Ghostbusters set. According to various sources, Dan Aykroyd originally wrote the movie with John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, and himself in mind as the original Ghostbusters. Sadly, Belushi passed away from a drug overdose, and Murphy was already committed to Beverly Hills Cop.
John Candy was originally slated to play the character of Louis Tully, a role later taken on by Rick Moranis. However, Candy envisioned playing the character with a German accent, accompanied by a pair of Schnauzers, a creative direction the writers did not agree with, leading Candy to step away from the role.
Ernie Hudson stepped into the role of Winston Zeddemore, the fourth Ghostbuster. His character underwent several rewrites, transforming from an original member of the Ghostbusters team into a man who answers a job ad later in the film.
Thanks to some clever negotiation, Frank Price from Columbia Pictures managed to convince SNL alum Bill Murray to take on the role of Peter Venkman, and as they say, the rest is history.
8. Special Cameo
One of the most beloved characters in the original Ghostbusters movie never actually had a name. On set, he was referred to as “Onion Head Ghost” due to his overwhelming smell, but this nickname never truly caught on.
The iconic floating green slime that caused chaos in the Manhattan hotel scene and devoured anything in its path became known to fans as “Slimer.” However, writers Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis envisioned Slimer as the spirit of John Belushi. They intended for the green, mischievous creature to pay tribute to their late friend, a man who had such a profound impact on so many, and who just missed out on being part of something truly remarkable.
7. Stick To The Script
By the time Ghostbusters began filming, everyone in the cast was well-versed in the world of Saturday Night Live and improv. Many of the actors were former SNL cast members, so it’s no surprise that a significant number of the lines were ad-libbed during filming.
According to the cast, nearly every scene included at least one line that wasn’t in the original script. The actors frequently added their personal touch to the characters they brought to life.
This might explain why the movie feels so authentic and grounded. Bill Murray shared that he chose to act as he would if he were truly in the situation, offering a raw glimpse of the iconic actor in a parallel ghost-busting world.
6. What’s In A Name?
Ghostbusters is a title that instantly stands out, encapsulating the essence of the movie perfectly. It's succinct, memorable, and makes its point clear. Interestingly, it almost wasn't the name of the film at all.
Dan Aykroyd played a pivotal role in the creation of Ghostbusters, drawing from his own personal experiences, including his family's connection to law enforcement. He had a clear vision for the movie's name, but a prior TV show with the same title led to a legal dispute over the rights.
After considering some truly terrible alternatives like Ghost Smashers, the studio eventually worked out a deal, securing the rights to the original title. This uncertainty, however, contributed to the film's even greater legacy.
5. No Ghosts Allowed
Despite the title dispute that held up the rights to the name for a significant portion of the production, the team still needed a logo for early promotional materials. They designed one that clearly conveyed the movie's vibe without the need for a title.
This is how 'Mooglie,' the cartoon ghost, came into the world. The character, trapped within a red line and circle (the universal symbol for 'no,' meaning 'no ghosts'), became a fixture on lunchboxes, billboards, posters, and more. After the title rights were settled, the official Ghostbusters title was added beneath the logo, with the logo itself replacing the 'o' in 'Ghostbusters,' creating the legendary poster we've all come to know.
4. Work For It
Some actors will go to great lengths to show they are the perfect fit for a role. After the success of Alien, Sigourney Weaver made sure during her audition to demonstrate she could portray any character flawlessly.
When she arrived for the reading, Weaver surprised the producers by suggesting that Dana’s character transform into a dog. She confidently declared that she could embody that role better than anyone else. She began to bark, chew on the cushions, and cause chaos in the room.
After cutting the film, Reitman told Weaver to never act like that again. However, he immediately called Harold Ramis (Egon) to inform him they had found their actress. Sadly, that scene was never filmed, but it was clear that Weaver was ready to take on any challenge.
3. Who You Gonna Call?
In films, it’s a long-standing joke that phone numbers are usually fake. The commonly used “555” area code doesn’t lead to real numbers, protecting individuals from unwanted calls. A prime example is the infamous 867-5309, repeated in Tommy Tutone’s hit 1980s song '867-5309/Jenny.'
However, Ghostbusters broke this norm. In one of the fake TV ads in the movie, the team proudly declares: “We’re ready to believe you.” The 555 number shown on-screen was real at the time. When it was active, the 1-800-555-2368 line received up to 1,000 calls per hour, playing a recorded message from Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) and Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd).
+ The Mandela Effect
A fascinating detail in the Ghostbusters lore introduces a peculiar Mandela effect linked to an original scene in the script. This scene, which didn’t quite fit into the movie, left many viewers (especially those from younger generations) perplexed. You can catch a glimpse of it in the video montage at the 2:48 mark above.
Fans typically remember a moment where Aykroyd’s character is startled by a spirit hovering over his bed in the firehouse. But upon a closer look, you’ll realize the team isn’t in the firehouse, and Aykroyd is dressed in a military uniform from the 1700s.
What’s going on here?
In reality, this entire sequence was part of a subplot designed to introduce a love interest for Aykroyd’s character. The action was meant to unfold at Fort Detmerring (the spelling varies), where the team was conducting an investigation. However, the subplot didn’t quite fit with the rest of the movie’s flow, so it was scrapped. Yet, this one scene managed to make it into the final cut, raising more questions than it answered.
2. Sometimes It Just Works
The theme song for Ghostbusters is unquestionably one of the most iconic and instantly recognizable songs in cinematic history. After just three notes, fans are already grooving along.
Incredibly, the song—composed and performed by Ray Parker Jr.—was crafted in only two days. It became an instant hit and was created at lightning speed.
But the drama didn’t end there. Huey Lewis, who was originally commissioned to write the theme, filed a lawsuit claiming the song infringed on his hit “I Want a New Drug.” The dispute was resolved outside of court, leaving us with the unforgettable funky ’80s anthem that continues to echo the question: “who you gonna call?”
1. Not Strictly Legal
A surprising fact for many Ghostbusters fans is that a significant portion of the movie wasn’t filmed in Manhattan. Despite the film capturing the essence and atmosphere of 1980s New York so perfectly, only a small number of scenes were shot within the city's actual boundaries.
Scheduling conflicts and the challenge of controlling New York City crowds made filming in the city nearly impossible. Los Angeles, however, was ready and equipped to accommodate the production. Another hurdle was securing shooting permits, which proved difficult to obtain in New York City.
The production team decided to take matters into their own hands and shot as much as they could in New York while they had the chance. This decision caused some trouble with local law enforcement, especially during the filming of the opening montage scene. In one sequence, an individual who seems to be a security guard is seen chasing the cast as Dan drives the Ecto-1.
++ Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction
So, where did an idea like Ghostbusters originate from?
For Dan Aykroyd, who not only conceived the idea but also assembled the team, the inspiration came from his own life. Growing up, Aykroyd’s family was deeply involved in spiritualism and the occult. His father and grandfather regularly held seances at home to communicate with spirits. Additionally, Aykroyd once served as a reserve commander for the Harahan, Louisiana, police department, and he carried his badge with him everywhere.
The idea eventually crystallized into the concept of a comedic service for paranormal investigations, tasked with capturing ghosts. The rest, as they say, is history.
Among all the cast members, Aykroyd remains the most steadfast believer in and fascinated by the paranormal. In fact, his father, Peter Aykroyd, wrote the book (or rather, the “encyclopedia”) on ghosts in A History of Ghosts. It was published in 2009 when Peter was 87 years old.
