Thirty-eight years later, Ivan Reitman's original "Ghostbusters" still rocks

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES – In light of Ivan Reitman’s recent passing, I thought I’d devote today to the original “Ghostbusters,” a film for which I have a memorable connection. I had just spent nine months promoting Ivan’s “Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone” (as unit publicist and field promoter) when he offered me the unit pub position on “Ghostbusters” – I had to turn him down because I had jumped to a company making electronic press kits. But, ironically, my first assignment was “Ghostbusters,” so I was on the set, including that magnificent Warner Bros. soundstage where they built the top of Dana’s apartment building. It was funny because they had not cleared the title when production started, so the scene where the Mayor’s assistant comes in to announce the arrival of the ghostbusters, they did several different takes with names like the Ghostblasters, the Ghosthunters, as well as the Ghostbusters. With actors like Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis and Ernie Hudson, the set was a constant swirl of comedic energy. At one point, Robin Williams and Chevy Chase visited and it really got crazy. The New York location on Central Park West was infectious as a huge crowd of extras screamed “Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters” – I jumped into that scene, but my section didn’t make the final cut. Much of the dialogue was adlibbed, particularly for Murray whose Venkman character was so perfect for him. In explaining the dichotomy of the film, Reitman said that Ramis was the brain, Ackroyd was the hands (as he explained things so well) and Murray was the mouth. This was a huge summer 1984 release for Columbia Pictures – a big moneymaker – and Ray Parker Jr.’s video for the film on MTV was a breakout smash. And, by the way, even though the previous sequels weren’t terrific, the latest, “Ghostbusters-Afterlife” is wonderful.??So thank you, Ivan, for a timeless classic.??We’ll be quoting “Who’re you gonna call?” forever. And please check out my podcast tonight where my guest is actor and motorcycle enthusiast Billy Gray, the young star of the original “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” Just type in “Steve Rubin’s Saturday Night at the Movies” onto your Spotify, Amazon or Apple podcast screens. Stay safe.?