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Photos surface of cut GB2 ending!

Red Bubble user, DilettantO, lucked out (from what I can tell) – the same day in 1988 he was visiting Liberty Island, Ghostbusters 2 production was shooting the final scene of the film, in which the team is honored by the city, finally. The scene was quite elaborate initially, only to be cut down to a quick glimpse at the end of the film as it fades to black and the main credits roll. Given how little we’re able to see in the final film, getting to see these amazing, crisp, 35mm slides is a revelation!

In Dec ‘88 I got to go to NYC for the first time, courtesy of Random House, as I was doing the Thomas The Tank Engine book illustrations for them at the time. On this trip, not only was Gorbachev in town meeting with Ronnie Raygun (sic) but Ghostbusters II was being filmed in the city. I took myself out to Liberty Island and was lucky enough to go up inside the statue (which isn’t allowed anymore). I have some great shots of that which I will post sometime. Coincidentally, they were shooting the final scenes of the movie on Liberty Island when I was out there, so while all this was happening, I got myself into a good position on the ‘plinth’ overlooking the set and slapped on my long lens. I got a few great shots like this one showing Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd and Harold Ramis. I especially like this one as Ackroyd seems to be looking straight at me. After the shoot, I collared both Murray and Ackroyd for autographs ( not sure where Weaver and Ramis were) . Ackroyd obliged, but Murray demurred, say he was ‘hungry’. Sadly I lost the Ackroyd autograph, but at least I still have the memories and a few pix, plus I know I’m in the aerial shot behind the closing credits in Ghostbusters II, even though only I know I’m there.

The scene had at least one piece of physical comedy, as Louis and Janine make-out on stage… I’m actually kind of glad they cut that bit. Kind of an anti-climax to the film.

Thanks to Glen Yard for spotting the pics!

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Click for full size
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Profiles in History – GB and GB2 items in new auction

Once again, Profiles in History have gotten their hands on some unique Ghostbusters items and are auctioning them off in their latest catalog;


Lot 972. Prop Statue of Liberty bust from Ghostbusters 2. (Columbia, 1989) Six foot tall bust of the Statue of Liberty used in the final scenes of the film with a miniature puppet of Bill Murray “Dr. Peter Venkman” inside the crown. Constructed of fiberglass with hard plastic and resin detailing, and meticulously hand-painted and airbrushed to simulate the weathered metal construction of the statue. The craftsmanship of this piece is truly impressive. It exhibits some missing points along the crown and torch surround is detached, but could easily be repaired. Will require special shipping arrangements. $8,000 – $12,000


Lot 974. Gozer Temple pieces from final explosion sequence of Ghostbusters and ghost maquette from Ghostbusters II. (Columbia, 1989) Six pieces from the legendary Hollywood production designer John De Cuir’s 1/24 scale design for Gozer Temple miniature from Ghostbusters which exploded when the neutron wands “crossed streams”. Included are a 6 in. x 7 in. x 3 in. cast resin horned face column element, 7 x 10 in. molded plastic relief sculpture and several approx. 2 x 3 in. “exploded” architectural elements. Also includes a bust of a snaggletooth ghost from Ghostbusters II constructed from cast resin with greenish-gray finish applied. $800 – $1,200


Lot 975. Visual Effects miniature Titanic from Ghostbusters II. (Columbia, 1989) This visual effects miniature Titanic hull is visible in the scene where the ghosts are seen leaving the wreckage of the ship. This impressive piece is constructed of resin and styrene parts and measures a full 5 ft. long x approx. 18 in. wide. Built to resemble the cracked hull of the doomed ship. Will require special shipping arrangements. $2,000 – $3,000

[VIA GBFans]

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Shot On Site: Birthday party – (GB2 callsheet revelations)

AJ at GBFans spotted these call sheets for Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters 2 filming for sale via an online prop dealer. Callsheets, at least during production, are everywhere. Everybody has a copy. They are typically discarded after the day’s shooting. However, some survive, and while unique pieces of film history, I’m not sure if they’re $300 unique. Mind you, the whole point of this post is that a cursory glance at the sheets on the website reveal a wealth of information.

For example;

Ghostbusters
– Slavitza “Gozer” Jovan is listed as “Slavitza Yhuelo”
– The temple rooftop scenes were shot in the days leading up to Christmas 1983. One of the call sheets is dated Dec. 16th, and referenced as the 35th day of shooting.
– The scenes are on Stage 16, which is odd, as it’s recently being referenced as being Stage 15.
– The set was closed to visitors (not surprising, for the massive finale)
– Five uncredited (by either the film or imdb) stunt persons are listed, Terry Hardin, Ron Harrison, Tim Lawrence, Mark Wilson, and Beth Nufer, who stunted for Slavitza.
– Five sad, partially named stand-ins are listed; Cherise, Clay, Dan, Mark, Michael.
– The advanced schedule (subject to change, presumably) put the ballroom scene at the Biltmore on December 20-22. Try and wrap your head around the actors defeating Gozer on a Friday, and by the following Tuesday, they’re shooting their first bust.
– The schedule is approved, by signature, by… well, it’s hard to tell. “J V Schiag…?” No name it the credits helps clarify the name. Quick, someone in the industry tell me who signs off on callsheets.
– Another sheet is dated as December 8th, 1983, the 29th day of shooting. The scene is on the rooftop, and includes shots using Louis and Sigourney, suggestion their rooftop transformtion scenes were around this time (or their altar scene) – Slavitza is listed as well, but as “off-camera”. Since her stunt double isn’t included in the day, but the four Ghostbusters stunt doubles are, it strongly suggests this was the day they shot the “Choose and Perish” shots as well as the “Are you a god” scenes.

But the big revelation is on the Ghostbusters 2 callsheets, which include directions and a map to the LA Firehall 23, which doubled as the interior of Hook and Ladder 8 in New York. This isn’t a secret – it’s been known for awhile that this is the interior location for the firehall, and the callsheet map confirms it;

“Int. Firehouse Location / Int. Brownstone”

There’s the kicker. While we only just recently figured out where the exterior of the Birthday Party Brownstone is, it was always assumed the interiors were shot on stage – or at least that was my thinking. However, given the map, I went and had a look at my photo of the LA firehouse and the birthday party scene in the film.


You can see a correlation between the top floor bay window on the firehall, and the window seen during the birthday party. So there you have it. Another LA location (well, same location, new scene though.)

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Ghostbusters 2 mobile book

I’d save this for Friday, but I’ll be on the road to LA Friday, so let’s do this now – Chris M was kind enough to rummage his parents place for his copy of the Ghostbusters 2 make-a-mobile book from Chad Valley Books (Woolworth’s). The actual mobile is missing, as he made it as a kid, but he scanned the rest of the book, so here for your perusal (and this is a great book for parents – some solid GB party ideas for young kids) is the Ghostbusters 2 Make A Mobile Book!

Download Now (PDF – 6M)

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Toys R Us taking pre-orders on new exclusives – pics!

Toys R Us has listed their Series 4 exclusive Ghostbusters Minimates – the four pairs are $6.99 each and (you might want to sit down) will be released July 15th, 2010 (bit of a wait.) These sets include;

– Janosz and Statue of Liberty
– Mayor Lenny and Subway Ghost
– GB2 Venkmen and Slimer
– GB2 Ray (with Slimer Blower) and Theater Ghost

The third series is due out any time now. Big ups to the gang at GBFans for spotting this one.