Wow, such cool toys. And that
Firehouse! I found a few at car boots in the 90's, such a fantastic design. I wonder what the building is now in NYC?
Showing posts with label Ghostbusters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ghostbusters. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 January 2026
Saturday, 10 January 2026
When There's Something Strange
The Missus and me have caught two more modern Ghostbusters movies recently.
The all-female version and the latest, Frozen Empire.
The all-female film was essentially a comedy full of famous comediennes anchored by Melissa McCarthy. It wasn't a difficult watch, it was very easy on the eye but alas, we didn't laugh a lot. The FX were great, the gags were OK and we wore a general smile throughout. Not bad overall but not a patch on the 1984 original, but then again, I'm biased. For me, as always, the cameos of the original actors was the best thing, especially Melnitz!
Frozen Empire is a big ambitious recent effort, a follow-up to Afterlife, with the same new young teen actors including a sassy geek girl with specs and the big-haired Mike from Stranger Things, a clue as to whom the intended audience is, teens. That's not surprising and I guess teens need teens. It's just the original 1984 film starred grown men and women and I still found them engaging and funny, even when I was 23, when I first saw it at the flicks in Llandudno. Anyways, Frozen Empire is a lot of fun, the FX are great and it's a treat to see Dan Akroyd as Ray Stantz again! See, I'm biased!
Anyone else seen them? Anyone had or have any Ghostbusters toys, games or merchandise?
Did you like the original film! Where did you see it?
Who ya gonna call!
Bustin makes me feel good!
Thursday, 4 April 2024
AFTERLIFE, 3 BODY PROBLEM AND THE SIGNAL
The Missus and me have watched a few bits of new sci-fi of late.
Ghostbusters Afterlife:
Where do I start. 1984 might be a good place. The Missus and me went to watch the original movie in Llandudno. It was December, Christmassy and our daughter was born the next day. It was such a good film she had to come out to see if there was more. Fortunately Ghostbusters II was nearly as good a couple of years later.
Alas, like Slimer on a wet slide, the idea went south with the first of the modern re-makes; packed with comedians and totally hopelessly forgettable.
And so to the second reboot, Afterlife, made a few years ago. From the off its clear the team tried hard to respect the spirit of the original and like other 80's homages such as Stranger Things, the whole effort looks good; basked in the cornfield glow of nostalgia and shining in maple-syrup sunshine.
Alas, despite the dusting-off of Ecto 1, Gozer, Keymaster, Gatekeeper, Slimer and finally the ancient original cast themselves, the new hip young actors just don't hold the screen strongly enough to make it all work. Ultimately I felt dissatisfied.
I think its almost inevitable I felt like this though, when iconic films of my youth are rebooted. The original Ghostbusters was a very special moment at the start of the Eighties. The Missus and me were young and lets face it, Ghostbusters was so darn well-made and inspired, why try to remake it at all?
Will Frozen Empire be more of the same? Will I ever find out?
3 Body Problem
This TV series on Netflix was unusual for my Missus as she's not a big Sci-Fi fan. I think it changed for her with the 62 episode Manifest, which we both enjoyed earlier in the year.
First off, 3 Body Problem is really interesting. Its unusualness carries it along and each episode adds to this otherworldliness and ultimately shocking conclusion.
We enjoyed it and look forward to a Series 2, if one is made.
As its new on Netflix I won't spoil anything. The channel spent a ton of money on each episode, so they'll be itching for views. I understand its based on a series of novels, which must be amazing to read.
The Signal
This German entry on Netflix follows the success of The Dark. Its a series about two astronauts on the ISS, who upon returning to Earth, spark global interest, intrigue and change.
Its not as thickly Sci-fi as 3 Body Problem but its there. A completely different take on a similar issue, with a totally unexpected and heartwarming ending.
I won't say anymore as its also current. As with other overseas Netflix entries its available in its native language or dubbed well into English.
Let us know if you've seen any of these or any other films or series of late for that matter.
Thursday, 7 December 2023
SCROOGED AGAIN!
I've just watched the first of my fave Christmas flicks I watch every year; Scrooged from 1988. You know the one, Bill Murray as the obnoxious TV exec who renews his love on Christmas Eve.
Its a great film, directed by the late great Richard Donner. Donner made two of my favourite non-Xmas films as well, The Omen and co-produced X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
There's a stocking-full of fab actors in Scrooged. Bill Murray had taken a four year break after Ghostbusters in 1984 and came back with Scrooged. I think he was on superb form and was helped enormously with endearing foils like the gruff Bridgeport-born A-lister Robert Mitchum, the down and out who calls him Dick: New Jersey's Michael J. Pollard, Syracuse's Bobcat Goldthwait, he of the screechy voice and many more.
A particular favourite role is that of the excitable substitute Film Director brought in whilst Murray's character goes to pot. This Director has a line I never forgot, 'I'll have the California Health Plate' and I've wanted to order one in a restaurant ever since. The appealing actor, Kingston-born John Glover, also played 'Phil', the memorable assistant to Carter in Payback, another old flick I like.
When you talk about Scrooged you can't not talk about the fabulous female lead played by Illinois-born Karen Allen, who's most famous role is easily Marion Ravenwood in the India Jones franchise, most recently the Dial of Destiny this year [anyone seen it?].
My final mention is one David Johannsen, who plays the raucous taxi-driving Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged, perhaps his most famous non-musical role. Hailing from Staten Island, Johannsen was the glam lead singer of the important proto-punk band The New York Dolls. I remember first seeing them on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973 playing their classic Jet Boy. Years before Punk, only David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed were as edgy at the time.
Yep, Scrooged is a great and funny film, which I always enjoy re-watching. Is it a film you like readers?
Thursday, 16 November 2023
ED'S JADA ECTO-1: WHO YA GONNA CALL!
Yeah, I know Halloween is over but hey, they play 'Ghostbusters" on TV all year 'round. I came across this Jada 1/43 scale version of Ecto 1 to replace my tiny 1/64 Hot Wheels vehicle. The Jada version is nice, but Mattel makes a much nicer 1/43 scale Hot Wheels version - at a premium cost though. I'm okay with the cheaper Jada piece.
Ghost Bustin' in Vegas
Ed
Wednesday, 30 August 2023
TAKIN' CARE OF BISMUTH
The Grandson Moonbase Junior is a budding geologist.
Along with his Dad he melted a block of the heavy element Bismuth to grow crystals as it cooled.
Junior asked me to blog his best crystal, this quite beautiful Ziggurat-like staircase of metal
Its iridescence is really gorgeous.
We both agreed it looks like the gates of Gozer at the top of the building in Ghostbusters!
What do you think readers?
Saturday, 29 July 2023
KONGA WEEK FINALE: THE MIGHTY KOGAR, TRACY AND BOB BURNS BY PAUL ADAMS
Hi,
Firstly, I would like to thank Max from Max's Models for pointing out the existence of this model, which I missed when doing my list of gorilla kits.
When I built my Man in a Monkey Suit model, converted from a toy gorilla with a spare human head, I did not realise that Moebius Models had already produced a very similar model, but in a much larger scale.
American actor and movie memorabilia collector Bob Burns frequently played a gorilla on television in the 1960s and 1970s, beginning with an appearance on the comedy series Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney. The episode being Mickey Crashes the Movies, which aired on 14th October 1964.
Bob Burns had his own gorilla suit, the body of which was made by his wife Kathy, with the head, hands, chest, and feet being made by Don Post, the famous Hollywood mask maker. The gorilla was named Kogar, and he went on to appear in many other television programmes.
Kogar almost made it on to The Munsters TV series, as Eddie Munster's new pet. This plan got as far as a publicity appearance at a shopping mall, but the series was cancelled in 1966, and Kogar never appeared on The Munsters.
With a new head, Kogar played Tracy ('trained by Bob Burns') in The Ghost Busters. This was a 1975 live-action TV series about a pair of bumbling private eyes and a gorilla, who battled ghosts. The human stars were Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch. All 15 episodes can be found on You Tube.
Tracy the gorilla does not talk, but usually wears a yellow hat with a propeller on top, and drives the company car. According to this site, it is a 1929 Willys Overland Whippet.
Details mainly from the book It Came From Bob's Basement, by Bob Burns and John Michlig, Chronicle Books, 2000, which devotes several pages to Kogar.
Moebius Models is one of several smaller, specialised kit companies in the USA, making film and TV tie-in models in the classic Aurora style. Even the company logo resembles the old Aurora oval.
Moebius was founded in 2006. Kogar, kit No.659, has the copyright date 2012 on the bottom of the box, along with Made in China.
Monsters of the Movies - 1/12 Scale All Plastic Snap-Together Custom Builder Kit With Optional Parts - No Cement Needed - The Mighty Kogar. The parts are moulded in either light brown or pink plastic. Being a snap-together kit, there are not too many parts, although you do get a small display base.
A major feature of the model is the inclusion of three heads: Kogar; Tracy with hat; or Bob Burns. Different decals are included for the clapper board sign, depending on the head used.
The box art is a bit gruesome, with Kogar standing in a jungle clearing, and a couple of heads (and a skull - not included in the kit) on poles in the foreground.
Moebius Models site, which lists all their kits - photo of assembled models from here.
Cultvman also had a Limited Edition version of the Kogar kit, which included a model of Bob's wife, Kathy Burns.
Six photographs, mostly from Worthpoint, and one from Moebius Models.
That's the end of our Konga and Friends week. Hope you enjoyed it.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Wednesday, 26 July 2023
MONKEY BUSINESS: THE GHOST BUSTERS 1975 - RESEARCH BY PAUL ADAMS
Hi
The Ghost Busters was a live-action Seventies American children's TV show.
It only ran for 15 episodes, all of which are available to watch on You Tube; it has also been released on DVD.
The series was made by Filmation, and screened on the CBS network, from September to December 1975, on Saturday mornings. Created by Marc Richards, who also wrote all the episodes.
The show was clearly made on a tiny budget, and a lot of the action happens off screen. The weekly guest cast never runs to more than three people, and the sets are limited to a graveyard, castle, a store, and the company office. The running time of each episode is around 22 minutes 15 seconds.
Spencer, Tracy, and Kong - Ghost Busters are a team of professional ghost hunters, who work from an office in a rather run-down old building. The team comprises two humans, and one gorilla.
Forrest Tucker is Kong, the head (King ?) of the firm.
Larry Storch is Spencer, although the name on the office door is Spenser.
Bob Burns is Tracy the gorilla, 'trained by Bob Burns' according to the credits. He does not speak (although he does sing in Ep.6, and speaks in Ep.8 when Spencer is switched in to his body). He communicates by drawings or charades.
In Episodes 2 and 13 references are made to Tracy's grandfather, and the Empire State Building. This strongly implies that Tracy is King Kong's grandson. Tracy also has an extensive collection of hats, although his favourite is the small yellow one with a red propeller on top.
Lou Scheimer is the voice of Zero, who is never seen. It is not explained who Zero is, if he is their boss, or a client.
Spencer and Tracy are clearly named after the American actor Spencer Tracy.
Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch had previously been in the comedy series F Troop (1965-67). Several other familiar TV faces appeared in the series.
Despite what has been written elsewhere, stating that Tracy is merely an assistant to the human Ghost Busters, he is actually a full part of the team. His name even appears on the office door.
His duties include driving the company car, an old touring car, painted white, with the Ghost Busters logo on the doors in black and yellow. No one thinks it odd that a gorilla is driving a vintage car.
According to this site the car is a 1929 Willys-Overland Whippet.
Tracy also carries a large bag on each assignment. This is similar to the one carried by Mary Poppins, and is filled with various useful and useless gadgets. Among these is the Ghost De-materializer, which sends the ghosts back to their ghostly realm.
The series resembles a normal Private Eye show in many ways, except that the Ghost Busters only handle cases involving ghosts. Scooby Doo also looks to have been a major influence.
Woodsy pointed out that the way the team encounters various monsters and historical characters resembles several of the Abbott and Costello movies of the 1940s and 1950s, such as Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; or Captain Kidd.
Woodsy also mentioned The Bowery Boys and the Dead End Kids. Well, there is an even closer connection than you might think, as Huntz Hall, who was one of the Dead End Kids/Bowery Boys, appears in two episodes: Which Witch is Which ?, and Merlin the Magician.
Each episode follows the same format. We open in a graveyard or the castle, where the Ghost of the Week appears. They then take up residence in a nearby castle (more of a haunted mansion).
Cut to the office of the Ghost Busters, and some shenanigans. Kong then sends Spencer and Tracy to a local store, where they pick up their latest assignment from Zero.
Their orders are received via a tape recording, in the same manner as Mission: Impossible. The tape recorder is hidden inside various objects, such as a fish, bunch of flowers, or a clock. Once played, the tape announces that it will self-destruct in 5 seconds - Tracy counts down, and always gets blown up.
Back to the office for a planning session. Then off to the graveyard and castle, to do battle with the ghosts. Finally the ghosts are sent home using the Ghost De-materializer.
Ep.1 The Maltese Monkey
Based on The Maltese Falcon. The Fat Man and his side-kick Rabbit summon the ghost of Big Al Caesar, a gangster who looks just like Spencer - they even wear the same suit.
Ep.2 Dr. Whatshisname
Frankenstein needs a gullible brain for his Monster, which is a lot like Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Ep.3 The Canterville Ghost
A cowardly ghost must perform a brave deed before he can pass on, but a thief is after the fabulous Canterville diamond.
Ep.4 Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf ?
A Werewolf and his Gypsy fortune-teller Mother. The Werewolf is named Harry Albert, a clear reference to Larry Talbot in the Wolfman movies.
Ep.5 The Flying Dutchman
The Captain and his First Mate are looking for new crewmen, with an off-screen appearance by Moby Dick.
Ep.6 The Dummy's Revenge
The Phantom of Vaudeville, a ventriloquist, and his dummy Elmo. Tracy sings in this episode. With Ali Baba.
Ep.7 A Worthless Gauze
An Egyptian Queen and her Mummy are looking for the secret of immortality - despite already being ghosts. With an appearance by Jesse James.
Ep.8 Which Witch is Which ?
A Witch is out for revenge on the descendent of the spell-dissolver of Salem, who sent her to the Great Beyond centuries ago. The ugly old hag turns herself in to a beautiful woman, using a spell that will deceive any human eye. Being a gorilla, Tracy is not fooled.
Ep.9 They Went Thataway
Real life out-laws Billy the Kid and Belle Star are out to rustle some cattle. In this episode we learn that Tracy builds flying model aircraft.
Ep.10 The Vampire's Apprentice
The Count and Countess Dracula. Spencer is briefly turned in to a vampire by the Countess.
Ep.11 Jekyll & Hyde: Together, For the First Time
Jekyll is trying to get rid of Hyde. There is also a Martian trying to catch a Flying Saucer back to Mars.
Ep.12 Only Ghosts Have Wings
The Red Baron and his co-pilot, who looks more like a mechanic, are out to get the pilot who won their last encounter.
Ep.13 The Vikings Have Landed
Viking explorer Eric the Red is looking for his old flag, but ends up with Tracy's knitting instead.
Ep.14 Merlin, the Magician
For once the Ghost Busters team up with the ghosts of Merlin and his assistant, to battle Morgan Le Fay.
Ep.15 The Abominable Snowman
Doctor Centigrade and his Dancing Yeti. With an appearance by Paul Revere.
Despite its low budget, this is still a fun series, and well worth watching. Lots running gags, and references to old movies, and classic film monsters.
The Moebius kit of Konga includes three different heads, for Kogar; Bob Burns without the gorilla head; and Tracy from The Ghost Busters, wearing his favourite yellow hat.
In the 1980s there was a cartoon series based on the earlier live-action show, but there were a number of changes. The human leads now being the sons of the original team, although Tracy the gorilla remained.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
SCHAPER'S TRACY: THE GHOST BUSTERS GORILLA ACTION FIGURE
Sometimes films and TV series get as mixed up as spaghetti.
So it is with Ghostbusters. Or should I say Ghost Busters. As such characters get lost, forgotten and misplaced like a gorilla in a haystack.
Tracy is such a gorilla, the resident ape in the CBS live-action Ghost Busters TV series which ran for 15 episodes in 1975.
Tracy was played by that classic man in a gorilla suit, Bob Burns, the famous monster and sci-fi film archivist. Bob's passion for props is very much on the vein of Forry J. Ackerman but that's another story.
Like any great convoluted story, it was the success of that other more famous Ghostbusters a decade later in 1984 - Yes, Who ya gonna Call! - which gave the original CBS show the bananas to swing back into view as a new animated TV series by Filmation, Ghostbusters and later Filmation's Ghostbusters after a rumble in the jungle with Stay Puft the Marshmallow Man.
As a toy collector its the toys that Filmation's show spawned that really interest me. It only lasted a single season in 1986 but Schaper released a whole troop of toys and sets, including yes, you've guessed it, Tracy! After ten years Bob Burns's aping around was immortalised in plastic!
The toy Tracy figure carries a purple Ghost Gummer, a gadget which, in the cartoon, blasted a pink fluid over evil nasties. It was really good at slowing ghosts down.
I've never ever seen a Tracy toy in the flesh, neither carded nor loose. I can't even recall seeing the Schaper line at premier UK toy fairs like Memorabilia. Did it sell outside of the home market in 1986? It cannot have been easy competing with that primordial slew of Real Ghostbusters' toys from Mattel, which were everywhere!
A couple of interesting points about Schaper's [of Cootie fame] 1986 Ghostbusters line. In the same year they were bought by toy giant Tyco, so whether this changed any of the branding on the cards I would be interested to know. Also each toy came with a mini-comic, again, something I have personally never seen.
Have you?
If you have a Tracy Gorilla figure then spare a thought for Bob Burns and his original ape suit back in 1975, as you can see here in this You Tube clip. Now that's proper monkey business!
What do you think?
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
FILMATION'S 'ORIGINAL' GHOSTBUSTERS
I've often read about Filmation's Ghostbusters, the original TV show that made the more famous Ghostbuster's change it's toy range title to The 'Real' Ghostbusters.
The characters, like Mysteria below, remind me of a mash-up of the Groovie Ghoulies and Scooby Doo.
Oddly enough, I've never come across any of the Filmation toys, made by Schaper, anywhere but here they are as a group courtesy of Mr. Alan in the World of Toys on YT. I like them!
As for the Filmation TV show there appear to have been two versions, the live action show in 1975:
and the sequel, Filmation's cartoon series from 1986, made on the back of Colombia's success with the Bill Murray movie.
Here's every episode. That's 11 hours!
Seventies kids will have grown up with the Filmation live action TV series before seeing later the 1984 film and then when both cartoon series, Filmation's and Columbia's it must have been confusing for Eighties kids.
Did you see Fimation's live action and cartoon series readers? Anyone got any toys?
Thursday, 28 October 2021
WHO YA GONNA CALL!
I loved this old plastic American ambulance. It has such an ECTO-1 feel to it.
Speaking of ECTO-1 I found out from Moonbase Junior that he'd visited the real thing! It was stationed at a big Leeds shopping centre for just 48 hours and he made it!
Have you seen ECTO-1?
Friday, 8 October 2021
WHEN THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE
I used to love finding Ghostbusters toys at car boot sales in the Nineties. There were tons of them and many were still boxed. Ecto-1 had to be the top prize along with the huge boxed fire-house. The figures were fab too.
Here's a TV reminder of the figures and the Ecto-1 toy available in the mid-1980's.
Here's the modern counterparts by Playmobil on TV too
Did you have any Ghostbusters toys?
Thursday, 7 October 2021
SOMETHING'S COMING! GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE TRAILER
This Ghostbusters sequel is coming this November! Will you be watching?
It looks completely amazingly nostalgic and the small Stay-Pufts had me howling!
Its a must-see!
Who ya gonna ...... go with?
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
Bella's Ghost Busters
Hi Woodsy
Laura Legends mentioned there was a Transformers version of Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters in her item on the Back to the Future DeLorean. It turns out that this model is covered on Bella's Toy Chest.
It looks to be a very nice model, although difficult to open out into its robot form without breaking something. Bella looks rather nervous as she attempts the feat.
Lewis M managed to find me a Hollywood Nano Rides Batman set with the Duck from Batman Returns!
Among my own finds were a couple of models from the Hot Wheels set devoted to Mattel games, Uno and Rock 'em, Sock 'em Robots. Two down, three to go.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Thursday, 29 October 2020
Jada Hollywood Rides ECTO-1
Hi Woodsy
Further to the Hot Wheels Ghostbusters models, here is a larger scale model. It is part of the Hollywood Rides series by Jada Toys. It depicts ECTO-1 from the first film. It is 1:32 scale, and has opening front doors. Copyright date on the box and printed (not moulded) on the model is 2019; Made in China. The Hollywood Rides series is made up of modern film and TV cars, from the 1980s onwards.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Sunday, 25 October 2020
Hot Squeals: The Real Ghostbusters Hot Wheels
Hi Woodsy
Regarding the Ghostbusters films, Hot Wheels have done several die-cast vehicles from the series. Sorry, but this is a little complicated. The Entertainment series has changed its name several times, but is mainly devoted to film and TV vehicles, and is a premium line.
The main Ghostbusters vehicle is a 1959 Cadillac, fitted with ambulance bodywork by the specialist company Miller-Meteor. It has the number plate ECTO-1 in Ghostbusters (1984), and is commonly referred to either as ECTO-1 or the Ectomobile. For Ghostbusters II (1989), the vehicle was upgraded and given the number plate ECTO-1A. Cartoon versions appeared in The Real Ghostbusters (1986-91), and Extreme Ghostbusters (1997). Then came Ghostbusters (2016), in which the all-male team is changed to an all-female team; and the 1959 ambulance is swapped for a 1984 Cadillac hearse, with a red top and landau irons - and a return to ECTO-1 plates. There is also a Harley-Davidson motorcycle kitted out for Ghostbusting duties as ECTO-2. Various other vehicles have appeared in cartoons, comics, and video games - I am not even going to try and include these.
Following a few Batmobile models, ECTO-1 was the first official Star Car model to be included in the Hot Wheels Mainline, appearing in the 2010 line-up.
A more detailed version appeared in the Retro Entertainment series in 2013, and has been re-issued since. It was also included in a 2016 two-pack with ECTO-1A.
ECTO-1A appeared on its own in the Entertainment series in 2015, and in a two-pack with ECTO-1 the following year.
The Real Ghostbusters cartoon car appeared in the Entertainment series in 2015. HW went to the trouble and expense of creating a new casting, rather than just using the existing movie car model.
In 2016 came the new movie car. It was included in a 2016 two-pack with the ECTO-2 motorcycle, and on its own in the 2017 Replica Entertainment series.
In 2016 there came a set of eight Ghostbusters models. ECTO-1 was included, but the rest were various HW fantasy vehicles decorated with Ghostbusters graphics. The Hot Wheels Wiki entry for this set says it was a Walmart Exclusive. That must apply only to the US, as I have seen most of these models in various shops in New Zealand, except for ECTO-1, which is much harder to find.
There have been a few special versions, mainly of ECTO-1, for various conventions, and Halloween in weird colours.
No, I do not have all of these - I have only just realised how many different versions there are.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Paul Vreede's New Spacex Toys Website
A beautiful and comprehensive site dedicated to the world of Tri-ang SpaceX and Golden Astronaut Toys
Ed Berg's Toy Blog: Toys and Stuff
