Columbia Pictures never wanted to makeGhostbusters.
Such was the opinion of high-concept and special effects-driven comedies in the early 1980s.
Released 40 years ago this month,Ghostbustershas obviously outlived those early doubts.
Its a pop culture touchstone with the same kind of tenacity Slimer displays at a wedding reception buffet.
In its own perverse way,Ghostbustershelped pave the way for the Hollywood blockbusters we have today.
Yet these were all small-time programmers as far as their studios were concerned.
All this to release a movie in whichSNLguys would save Sigourney Weaver after she turned into a dog.
It was too expensive, too risky, Price recalled being told.
I explained Ive got Bill Murray.
I was going to go ahead with it.
They made it clear that it was my responsibility.
I was out on the limb.
Price of course wound up being vindicated.
It invented the pricey, visual effects-heavy comedy.
A case can be made, then, that it even continues to influence the modern blockbusters of today.
It was a trailblazer that set a tone and style thats still chasedalbeit less and lessby its sequels.
