Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler are three scientists at Columbia University in New York City. When their grant expires, the guys are fired and they go into business as a ghost extermination company called "Ghostbusters". Their first customer is orchestra cello player Dana Barrett, who was scared out of her apartment on the 22nd floor of a high rise apartment building on Central Park West. It seems that Dana's neighbor, Louis Tully, is also being affected by the strange happenings in the apartment building. Armed with proton guns, the Ghostbusters become wildly popular, and they are joined by Winston Zeddmore, who is looking for a job with good pay. Overzealous Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agent Walter Peck thinks the Ghostbusters are frauds, and he has the Ghostbusters put in jail. Peck is forced to believe the Ghostbusters when New York City is put under siege by an ancient Sumerian God named Gozer the Gozerian, who is channeled through the apartment building that Dana and Louis live in, and the mayor has no choice but to let the Ghostbusters out of jail to face Gozer.

The role of Louis Tully was originally written for John Candy.

[Inspecting Dana's refrigerator for paranormal activity]


Dr. Peter Venkman:
Oh, my *God*. Look at all the junk food!


Dana Barrett:
Oh, dammit. Look, this wasn't here...


Dr. Peter Venkman:
You actually eat this?


Dana Barrett:
Look, this wasn't here! There was *nothing* here! There was this... space! And there was a building or something with flames coming out of it, and there were creatures writhing around, and they were growling and snarling. And there were flames, and I heard a voice say "Zuul"! It was right here.


Dr. Peter Venkman:
Well, I'm sorry, I'm just not getting any reading.


Dana Barrett:
Well, are you sure you're using that thing correctly?


Dr. Peter Venkman:
Well, I... I think so, but I'm sure there are no animals in there.


Dana Barrett:
Well that's just great. Either I have a monster in my kitchen or I'm completely crazy.


Dr. Peter Venkman:
[smiles] I don't think you're crazy.


Dana Barrett:
[sarcastically] Oh, good, that makes me feel so much better.

Revealing mistakes: When the building at the end rains down debris, a huge piece of concrete or stone bounces off a wooden police barricade, when it should have smashed through it.

Written and Performed by Ray Parker Jr.
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.