Scientists Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are fired from their university because their paranormal research is conducted by them “more like a game show host” than serious researchers and scientists.
To raise money to further support their work, the three eccentrics decide to open their own business as “Ghostbusters”.
New York coincidentally experiences an increasing number of paranormal visitations at the same time and soon the Ghostbusters find themselves working on their first real assignment.
Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) has had a strange encounter in her kitchen, with eggs taking on a life of their own and jumping from their shells and the interior of her fridge turning into a portal to a very sinister looking place.
Investigating the case (and the woman) our heroes detect increased paranormal activity in this particular building on Central Park West.
Meanwhile, more apparitions appear across town, sending the entire city into a frenzy, and the Ghostbusters find themselves very much in demand.
In a battle that seems hopeless, the Ghostbusters manage to capture and isolate one ghost after another, cleanly accumulating them all in their unique storage facility in an old fire station.
Things take an interesting turn when Dana and her nerdy neighbour Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) become unwitting tools in the resurrection of Zuul, the master of all ghosts.
With Dana and Louis changed into The Gatekeeper and The Keymaster, the Ghostbusters now have to face their ultimate challenge – The coming of Gozer.
Director Ivan Reitman created Ghostbusters with the help of Saturday Night Live comedian Dan Aykroyd and writer/actor Harold Ramis. It was originally conceived as a vehicle for Aykroyd and John Belushi but was recast after the latter’s unexpected death.
Little did they know they were creating a cinematic phenomenon that would still inspire legions of fans years after its release.
Ghostbusters grossed in excess of $221 million, making it the biggest money-spinner in Columbia’s history.
An inferior sequel, Ghostbusters II, followed in 1989 with the same cast, director . . . and jokes.
Oh, by the way – if you want to call The Ghostbusters, the number is 555-2368.
Dr Peter Venkman
Bill Murray
Dr Raymond Stantz
Dan Aykroyd
Dr Egon Spengler
Harold Ramis
Dana Barrett
Sigourney Weaver
Louis Tully
Rick Moranis
Janine Melnitz
Annie Potts
Winston Zeddemore
Ernie Hudson
Walter Peck
William Atherton
Mrs Van Hoffman
Kathryn Janssen
Annette
Cheryl Birchfield
Mayor
David Margulies
Dean Yeager
Jordan Charney
Gozer
Slavitza Jovan
Library ghost
Ruth Oliver
Director
Ivan Reitman
