It's June 8th, 2025 - Happy Ghostbusters Day to one and all!
For a month or more prior to the release of the film posters with the Ghostbusters 'No Ghost' logo appeared in train stations, in movie theaters, and in a variety of all places. No one [I knew] had any idea what they were for.
Eventually they were replaced by the poster you see above, the mysterious emblem accompanied by the words, 'Coming To Saving the World This Summer'. My grandfather, a theater manager, didn't get the film in his movie house but it did show in one of his previous locations with whom he was on very good terms.
Through this connection my younger sister and I went to go see it together, just the two of us as I recall, at the Kings Highway Theater in Brooklyn, NY. We got in free since we were 'Al's Grandkids'. I would've been 15 years old and my sister about 10. I don't recall if it was opening day but I do remember I was one of the first among my friend group to have seen it.
That was 41 years ago and I've been an avid fan of the franchise and especially that first film ever since.
Yesterday was the celebration of Ghostbusters Day at Hook and Ladder No. 8 in Downtown Manhattan (New York City, NY), the real world working firehouse that serves as the Ghostbusters HQ in the films. I was down there myself last year and I hopefully will be there next year but unfortunately, for various reasons, I wasn't able to attend myself in 2025.
Jason Reitman, son of original Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman and current head producer and writer for the GB franchise, was there along with Carrie Coon and McKenna Grace of Afterlife and Frozen Empire. Serving as ambassadors of good will between the studio and the fans (and doing an awesome job!), the event featured music, walking tours of the film locations, product announcements, and lots of people in incredible cosplay. Oh and the Ecto vehicles! The Ecto Vehicles! Absolutely awesome!
Last but far from least, Sony Pictures teamed with Ghost Corps and the massive collection of fandom franchises to initiate 'Ghostbusters Give Back', a year long competitive charity drive wherein Sony will match donations up to $150,000. You can learn more about this here and at the Ghostbusters Give Back hub.
The various Ghostbusters Fan Club 'Franchises' across the USA and the world have long been involved with charity events and fundraisers. This is not only an extension of that tradition but yet another example of how well the Ghostbusters IP partners with those who love it, something other studios could learn a lot from.
I do wish they'd given us more details on some of the upcoming film and animation projects but I feel like that will be coming soon enough as the Annecy International Film Festival begins today.
You'll definitely be seeing some Ghostbusters RPG ideas from me in October but keep an eye out; you never know when and where a paranormal imanifestation will appear. When it does...Who You Gonna Call?
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Barking Alien
I missed it by about two hours! Happy Belated Ghostbusters Day!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a cool movie - it still is - and a new concept at the time, not a franchise, just a whole new take on things. I feel like we don't get as much in the new idea category at the movies these days, especially the not-quite-for-kids-but-still-kid-friendly kinds of movies like this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way to put it, Blacksteel. I might be blanking on something, but I can't remember the last time we really had a phenomenon like this. I guess the closest I can think of is the Jurassic series, and even if you overlook the fact that it was based on a book, it seems like it only reached the level it's at now because it was essentially rebooted...
DeleteHappy Ghostbusters Day, Adam! (Belated...) Unfortunately I couldn't make it to H&L#8 for the festivities this year, so I definitely appreciate the pics and info. (Hopefully a year from now I'll be celebrating with the rest of you....!)
ReplyDeleteIf you do go next year let me know. I aim to make it there too and we can shake hands in person!
DeleteDefinitely...that'd be awesome!
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