Chiasmus cult cinema trailers - "Ghostbusters" (1984). *These will be ongoing posts, courtesy of the A.Glass DVD collection. As I offer via Chiasmus Cult trailers, my summarized overviews*

In a long stream of early to mid 1980s movies, that packed in the 'Baby Boomers' (who were in their mid 30's in 1984) sexual innuendos and relationship in-jokes, that 13 year old Gen Xers, who went and saw these movies kinda got via the adult themed dialogue.  And "Ghostbusters" (1984) was quintessential in its reflection of that maturing counterculture generation, despite it being a teen movie.  But of course, more importantly, Ghostbusters assisted in our fascination we all have of New York City From its famous architecture, history and characters, encompassed by the jazz inspired music score by the late Elmer Bernstein  And, Ghostbusters very much portrayed the said themes with a charm, which is long standing to this day in romanticizing NYC and its ghostly past.

First conceived as science fiction screenplay project in 1982 by actor Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters was later redefined in 1983 with a New York and, at the time, contemporary, yet comedic supernatural feel, by fellow actor, the late Harold Ramis.  The late Ivan Reitman, a 1970s and 1980s B-grade Director, with his breakout movie adult comedy "Stripes" (1981) under his belt featuring the main actors, minus Dan Aykroyd, of Ghostbusters, Harold Ramis and Bill Murray, was asked to direct and pitch the project by Aykroyd. And It was agreed, with the project green lit for pre-production in mid 1983, by Colombia Studios.  With a release date set down for June 1984,  Aykroyd, Ramis and Reitman began to frantically brainstorm the reworked screenplay of Aykroyd's Ghostbusters, into what we know and love today. 

And as mentioned, Ghostbusters was very much had a mid 30 year old (your parents at the time, if you were a Gen Xer) overture, even if it wasn't solely pitched at that age group.  I have heard various critics over the years comment on that Ghostbusters' adult humor, and sexual innuendos, don't make it a teen movie, and yet it has to be reiterated, we all got it, even though we were only 13 year olds at the time.  The premise of the story is simple, and you should know it by now, three quirky, yes 30 something, Parapsychology Professors, "Peter Venkman" (Bill Murray), "Ray Stantz" (Dan Aykroyd), and "Egon Spengler" (Harold Ramis), are kicked out of Columbia University by the Dean, playing on the teen comedies of the 80s, and decide to go into business to hunt, and capture ghosts, and there seems to be a pick up of paranormal activity in New York.  Overviewed by that marketable subtext; it's all about timing and fate.  

As the Ghostbusting business begins to boom, the adult humour also comes in thick and fast, mostly from Bill Murray's character "Venkman", aimed at "Dana Barrett", played with an astuteness by Sigourney Weaver, a music student and cellist, who after seeing a portal of a ghosty world in her refrigerator and a dog like creature, mention "Zuul".  Venkman's would be girlfriend, ends up becoming possessed, in an erotically charged manner, by the "Gatekeeper", after earlier that evening her neighbour "Louis Tully", played by Rick Moranis, the amusing, yet irritating nerdy accountant, who likes Barrat (she doesn't like him) also becomes possessed, he then hooks up with Barrett (sexually, in their possessed forms), both become these dog like creatures, which were once gargoyles from their Art Deco apartment block, a slightly modified version of 55 Central Park West building, but fictionally very modified for the script, designed by an architect and occultis/cult leader Ivo Shandor in the early 20th Century.  To, yes (you have seen the movie right?), open a portal of a high heeled, sazzy Babylonian god or goddess (or both?) called Gozer, to end the world.  And what will end the world?   Chosen, after being ordered to do so by Gozer, via Dan Aykroyd's character "Ray Stantz" in a moment of panic, a massive marshmallow man, wearing a sailor outfit.  Of course, the Ghostbusters save the day, with an indication at the end of the movie that a sequel will follow soon.

Ghostbusters was the hit it should be, earning on its release on June 8th 1984 over $13 million, making it a number one movie for that weekend.  And it has aged well, aligning itself very much a cult movie, regardless of the failed attempt at sequels and reboots.  It holds up as a mid 1980s snapshot, with all of its supernatural, New York City romanticism and humour intact.  

In 2012, I was fortunate to watch it again after so many years, in a run down 1912 apartment block, with the groaning water pipes and creaking floorboards.   Perfect setting. 

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(A.Glass 2025)

All CHIAMUS Cult Cinema trailers/commentary to date: chiasmusmagazine.blogspot.com/search/label/Chiasmus%20cult%20cinema