History Film / Ghostbusters1984

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* PreAssKickingOneLiner: Venkman gets two of these in rapid succession

** All the Coca-Cola products seen--Coke, Diet Coke, and Tab--are at least partially because, believe it or not, The Coca-Cola Company actually owned Columbia Pictures at the time. (Unlike Creator/{{Sony}}'s current ownership, however, it was never referenced in theatrical movies or on video; the TV division [and subsequent acquisitions, such as Creator/MervGriffin Enterprises] ''did'' have the byline.)

* SharedMassHallucination[=/=]ScoobyDooHoax: {{Discussed}} by Peck, who accuses the Ghostbusters of being frauds that use nerve gas to make people believe they're seeing ghosts, and then "put on a light show" to get rid of them.

** The Ghostbusters' protonic stream throwers primarily throw out positively-charged lightning. It can burn toilet paper, explode maid's carts, and will cause TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt if you [[ForbiddenChekhovsGun cross the streams]]. You can snare ghosts with it as well.

* ShoutOut: Several ''very'' subtle ones, best illustrated by the bleeding walls at the 53rd precinct. There is no 53rd precinct... outside of the early {{Buddy Cop|Show}} sitcom ''Series/Car54WhereAreYou''. The dynamic between Ray and Egon has numerous nods to the HamAndDeadpanDuo protagonists of the series (both {{Cloudcuckoolander}}s, in their own way), while the Ecto-1 and the scenes of it tearing through the streets of New York with siren blaring bear a strong resemblance to the namesake car 54. The bleeding walls mention itself is a shout-out to ''Film/{{The Amityville Horror|1979}}''.

--> '''Venkman:''' The flowers are still standing!

* FiveFiveFive: The phone number on the Ghostbuster's television ad is 555-2368.

Three parapsychology professors -- earnest, forthright, and curious Dr. Raymond Stantz (Akyroyd), sarcastic schemer Dr. Peter Venkman (Creator/BillMurray), and detached academic Dr. Egon Spengler (Ramis) -- have finally succeeded in discovering proof that ghosts exist! Unfortunately, they also discover that they have been fired from their positions at Columbia University in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity. Facing dire prospects in finding new collegiate employment, Venkman has a brainstorm: go professional as paranormal investigators and exterminators. In their last investigation, they devised a technological method of actually capturing and containing ghosts. They set up Ghostbusters, a company providing scientific exorcisms. At first business is slow, with cellist Dana Barrett (Creator/SigourneyWeaver) -- who becomes Peter's LoveInterest -- as their sole client. As they begin researching her case, the number of ghosts in New York City increases exponentially.

---> '''Peter Venkman:''' You're the best one in your row.\\

---> "Dropping off or picking up?"

'''Ray:''' If the answer is "yes," then don't wait another minute. Pick up the phone and call the professionals... \\

'''Ray:''' Looks like we're in the-- the...teens, somewhere.\\

'''Dr. Peter Venkman:''' Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria!

* AttackAttackRetreatRetreat: "Get ready...get ready...GET HER!!!" "AAAAAHHHHH!!!!"

* BystanderSyndrome: After Louis is finally chased down by the terror dog outside of a fancy reception in Central Park, people watch him pounding against the glass, screaming, and getting yanked out of sight suddenly...then just turn their heads and go back to eating.

* CastingGag: Michael Ensign, who plays the hotel manager, had previously been in the 1982 film adaptation of ''Music/TheWall'' as...a hotel manager. Both movies even have their hotels eventually getting trashed by the protagonists.

-->'''Egon:''' (''In a calm voice'') Sorry Venkman. I'm terrified beyond the capacity for rational thought.

-->'''Ray:''' Ohhh, it smells like barbecued dog hair. (''notices Venkman'') Oh. Venkman. Oh, Venkman, I'm sorry...I'm sorry, I...I just...I just forgot.

-->'''Ray''': You know, it just occurred to me that we hadn't really had a successful test of this equipment.\\
'''Egon''': I blame myself.\\
'''Peter''': So do I.\\
'''Ray''': Well, no sense worrying about it now.\\
'''Peter''': Why worry? [[WhatCouldPossiblyGoWrong Each of us is wearing an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back.]]
* EroticDream: Ray has one where he imagines a ghost girl giving him...um, moral support. This was originally part of a DeletedScene where Ray and Winston are on a case at a haunted fort where the ghost girl had been greeting other male visitors.

-->'''Dana''': Dr. Venkman, you came all this way, ''would you like to check the refrigerator?''\\
'''Peter''': ''(beat)'' I'm gonna check the fridge.

-->'''Peter:''' ''(smacks Ray)'' I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT!
* IgnoredExpert: The Con Edison technician Peck brings with him to shut down the Ghostbusters' containment unit realizes that it's not a good idea to mess with the equipment and voices his concerns. Peck tells him he doesn't care about his opinion and orders him to shut it down anyway.

-->'''Peter:''' ''[peeking inside]'' Oh, my God...look at all the junk food!\\

-->'''Woman''': "What the hell are you doing?!"
-->'''Ray''': "Sorry, we thought you were someone else."

-->'''Venkman:''' ''[after having nearly been flung off a building by Gozer's [[AgonyBeam Electrofingers-of-Death]]]'' All right...this chick is '''toast'''!\\

-->'''Dean Yeager:''' Doctor...Venkman. We believe the purpose of science is to serve mankind. You, however, seem to regard science as some kind of dodge...or hustle. Your theories are the worst kind of popular tripe, your methods are sloppy, and your conclusions are highly questionable! You are a poor scientist, Dr. Venkman.

* ShoutOut: Several ''very'' subtle ones, best illustrated by the bleeding walls at the 53rd precinct. There is no 53rd precinct...outside of the early {{Buddy Cop|Show}} sitcom ''Series/Car54WhereAreYou''. The dynamic between Ray and Egon has numerous nods to the HamAndDeadpanDuo protagonists of the series (both {{Cloudcuckoolander}}s, in their own way), while the Ecto-1 and the scenes of it tearing through the streets of New York with siren blaring bear a strong resemblance to the namesake car 54. The bleeding walls mention itself is a shout-out to ''Film/TheAmityvilleHorror1979''.

-->''(to the mayor)'' "Look, I've only been with the company for a couple of weeks, but I gotta tell you, these things are ''real''. Since I joined these men, I have seen shit that'll turn you ''white''."

--> '''Roger Delacorte:''' I'm Roger Delacorte. Are you the men from the university?\\

-->"Personally, I preferred the university. They gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything! You've never been out of college, you don't know what it's like out there! I've worked in the private sector...they expect ''results''."

* WhamLine: "...I couldn't help it...it just popped in there..."