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
