I would have liked to talk about this a week ago, I was working on adding news updates to Ghostbusters Inc. Friend, contributor, and ghosthead Matthew Jordan from Ghostbusters Wiki posted the above image to Facebook on February 15, 2014. He found it while searching a popular auction site.
The image seemed familiar, I didn’t entirely remember it or a color version. I was really wondering why The Real Ghostbusters Slimer food poster has a Kenner logo on it. Lanny D. Crepit (Ectofiend666) informed us this was an item you could send away for because you were once a young ghosthead and someone who loves you bought you The Real Ghostbusters Play-Doh set. Play-Doh was also once owned by Kenner before the absorption into Hasbro. This premium item also came with an activity sheet.
I did have a The Real Ghostbusters Play-Doh set (Ecto-Containment Blog Post, January 18, 2018) when I was around 9. While I can remember the fun I had with it, I don’t recall information about sending away for the Slimer food poster and activity sheet. Twenty four years later I bought an open, but I believe mostly complete Kenner The Real Ghostbusters Play-Doh set. Which I want to write about for a future update.
Image notes: Matthew edited the original photo. With regards to size, contrast, and creases.
Naturally on an important day for Ecto-Containment (because its about me :p) a Kenner and The Real Ghostbusters collectible surfaces. As Kenner held the license (would be cool to see that contract on-line) for basically every Ghostbusters toy of the era (just about would never happen today) and Ghostbusters II brought us a new vehicle (ECTO-1A) and equipment (Slime Blower) Kenner had the opportunity to design/update their ECTO-1.
As I’ve previously written about Kenner’s ECTO-1A is their ECTO-1 with new stickers. Something that bothered me if I thought too much about it at 12 years old. I’ve come to understand as an adult it might have been a financial drain for Kenner to design part of the new roof equipment. It wasn’t like the toys were suppose to be movie accurate. They’re toys, not the mostly over $100 USD collectibles we’ve had since.
Even if ECTO-1A had excessive new decals, it was a new product and new packaging requires art. I might have bought just a cardboard box back then that read “New Ghostbusters toy.” Adults won’t, as Kenner knew a lot better then me, their talented and creative associates came up with the above art/copy for the front of the box.
I think if the 86% of my brain dedicated to Ghostbusters remembers, this artwork was for sale on eBay during the late 20th Century. Most ghostheads haven’t seen it since, now in the twenty teens thanks to Kenner Collector‘s Dan Flarida, he’s written and posted detailed photos of this ECTO-1A original box artwork.
Note: Originally appeared at my personal site, iRich.
Intro:
2014 marks the 30th Anniversary of the movie that helped shape my life, Ghostbusters. It seemed fitting that one of the first “30th Anniversary” posts (something I’m trying) be about the formats of how I’ve watched the films outside a theater after 1984 and those memories.
At some point I wanted to show a picture like above. I didn’t have a time frame of when I would until ghosthead and friend Matthew posted a “Spengs approved” (that could be a thing) Ghostbusters synopsis from a newspaper clipping. Not only did I like how it was written, it existed because Ghostbusters was premiering most likely for the first time on local television, ABC 7 (out of New York City) on September 24, 1987. I had no memory of the original air date, I remember the night. I didn’t know it when I was 9, the month and date would become very personal and connected. It’s a reason iRichard Roy exists. If it wasn’t for the date, maybe I would have waited to show off common items we all have. It motivated me.
1986-1987
In September 1987 ABC was a year into airing The Real Ghostbusters. It only made sense they were the network to show the TV edit. Around that time my parents had bought our first VCR. This was a big deal, unlike cable which we always seemed to have. I’m sure more weeknights then not if I wanted to watch TV, (before actual bedtime) I probably had to watch what my parents were. In a world before video recorders and controlling live TV, paper guides and programming the “set time” is all that was needed to record the mostly Reagan years.
We didn’t have a VCR a year earlier, I wasn’t in the habit of recording just about any cartoon or anything really which was made to sell toys. I vividly remember walking home from the bus stop, (it was a short walk) getting a snack I can’t eat without consequences in my 30s and watching The Real Ghostbusters. Five days a week, (this isn’t about Prince Adam) The Real Ghostbusters was also syndicated on FOX.
My parents and close neighbors had repeatedly rented Ghostbusters before 1987. Probably because of the high cost of VHS movies, we didn’t own a copy. When it was time to watch Ghostbusters on network television in 1987 during network family themed movie night I had to record it. I still remember setting the Panasonic VCR, programming it, watching Ghostbusters, remote close by so I could record it without commercials. I was an editor without realizing people go to school for this stuff.
Only thing was somehow I didn’t know when the commercials were about to start or end, press pause instead of stop. If you remember watching recordings on a blank tape where you stopped it, the VCR would track and maybe depending on your video/channel input you’d temporarily see a blue screen. Not having a perfect recording probably hurt a little, it didn’t take away from the fact that I owned Ghostbusters and enjoyed it, TV edits and all.
1988-1989
Their was about a two year window where I suppose if I didn’t ask for a Nintendo Entertainment System + games they could have bought me the classic black with “no ghost” logo VHS. I have no memory of owning that until I was like 21. Maybe we shouldn’t have rented it as much as we did.
On January 29, 1989 ABC aired Ghostbusters once again. I probably should have recorded it, by then I was a professional with the technologies I had access to. I don’t remember if I originally watched that broadcast or was even home that night. I do remember a time I was hanging out with one of my very young cousins who loved the Ghostbusters franchise because of me. We were watching his January ’89 recording. It might not have been until we were older. I wonder if he still has that tape.
1990 (1 Year Later)
After Ghostbusters II had been in theaters it was premiering through In Demand/Pay-Per-View (that is hyphenated right?) around Thanksgiving. Whether it worked out perfectly or it was total coincidence dinner was at our place. My parents allowed me to order Ghostbusters II and watch it in the living room while eating. I had and probably still have a yellow Kodak blank tape with the original recording on it. Of course while getting the tapes somewhat out of storage I couldn’t find it. Also of note is a recording of Earnest Saves Christmas which I recorded on the same tape.
Summer 1996
The early 1990s were a “dark time” for me with Ghostbusters. I’m sure the number of times I watched just the original had slowed down considerably. I don’t think I got back into the films and the franchise until 1996. It may have occurred in part because of a trip to the mostly defunct Suncoast Video. Without any reference to technical research DVDs may have been in their infancies or being reversed engineered at a top secret military base. Once I owned a car by September 1996 I would go to our closest mall often. Freedom and all that, yeah. On this particular trip I came across an edition of Ghostbusters II I hadn’t seen before.
“Clamshell” VHS cases weren’t anything new and had been around since before walls that divided a city were taken down. I feel like Disney used the clamshell cases with all their feature film releases. I was so use to standard slip cases for the Ghostbusters movies, this was just different enough that I recognized a certain value to it. It was also a chance for me to own my first licensed and official copy of a Ghostbusters film. Which felt right.
I believe I was aware of Columbia/Tri-Star releasing or re-issuing family editions (even if they weren’t out of print) of popular movies. It was barely an anniversary year for Ghostbusters II, here it was, a shiny new edition of Ghostbusters II. I watched this version more then my In Demand copy, for at least another 5 years. Looks like the last time I watched it, I didn’t rewind it. Do I owe a fee?
1998-Early 1999?
As the 15th Anniversary of Ghostbusters was approaching Sony/Columbia Pictures was gearing up to do two things, release new copies of Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II on VHS in a wide screen format. This was partially huge for its time as most editions of the films were pan and scan. Or full screen. With Ghostbusters you definitely were missing content and Egon. They were also putting both films on DVD for the first time. This was a big deal for the time as Ghostbusters had been planned for a DVD release, I think it had been pushed back. For the 15th anniversary not only would ghostheads have Ghostbusters on DVD, a DVD with features that wasn’t just some filmography and a preview. Remember when early DVDs were like that?
Prior to my excitement that June I had taken a trip long before “Do AC” to “America’s Playground,” Atlantic City for vacation. While shopping at the old Ocean One Mall I found the surely out of print Ghostbusters/Ghostbusters II gift set. It came in a black box, featured the logos, and either classic movie rested easily in their classic slip case boxes. I had to have it and bought it. As I wrote about in an Ectocontainment blog I did something very dumb, loaned the box set out to a fan I didn’t really know and never got it back. Only reason I would buy at least this version of Ghostbusters in 2014 would be as a collectible.
15th Anniversary (1999)
My family hadn’t adapted to the becoming standard DVD format yet. We didn’t have enough of a reason to own a DVD player. This is Ghostbusters, widescreen VHS and on DVD for the first time ever! Ghostheads had waited long enough for a DVD version, with mostly good (for its time) features.
In 1999 DVD players cost $$. Even when you’re working in a regional movie theater chain you weren’t buying a SONY DVD player with one check. You could buy the widescreen version of Ghostbusters, look at that, WIDESCREEN. That was the selling point. And the artwork. Someone had fun with Photoshop. I don’t remember the scene where Dana as Zuul laid across ECTO-1 like that, driving Peter mad enough to stand on top of the roof while Ray and Winston stare at him in further disbelief. What’s with the Ghostbusters “no ghost” logo sign? Did they open up a convenience store?
I also had enough money to buy of course the Ghostbusters Collectors Edition on DVD. As I already had two copies of Ghostbusters II on VHS and was about to buy that on DVD too, I opted not to buy the new Ghostbusters II on VHS again. Suncoast made plenty of money off me in buying Ghostbusters from there store during the 1990s.
In 1999 seeing a DVD with multiple “no ghost” logos on it was great. It almost felt natural that the packaging and artwork had evolved from classic black with Ghostbusters logos. For the first time ever, Ghostbusters had a menu and was in a way interactive. Now I wish I had screen capped it. To celebrate the 15th anniversary, Sony/Columbia had a contest (this was all huge for its time) where a fan or fans could win production artwork (may have been original, I don’t remember) of ghosts that were or weren’t in the film. I probably entered, I didn’t win. I think the winner or one of the winners eventually sold the artwork to another ghosthead. As a consolation prize one of the features on the DVD features production artwork of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.
For some unknown reason a decision was made to barely care about Ghostbusters II on DVD. Just about everything about it on DVD tells fans this exists because the studio wanted it on DVD along side its new VHS version and the better 15th Anniversary Ghostbusters Collectors Edition. It isn’t a secret Ghostbusters II has a few memorable deleted scenes, most that were actually filmed and some swear they saw in theaters. I think ghostheads remember these scenes because they may have been featured in collectible trading cards. No one that would know is going to divulge the information to me.
Let’s take a look at the covers. The front background seems to be mostly the same as the Ghostbusters DVD cover. It was changed “just enough” to fit with the second movie’s themes. “Be ready to believe us” was never a tag line (as far as I know) for the sequel. The Ghostbusters themselves come from the Ghostbusters theatrical poster. The “no ghost” patches were changed to the Ghostbusters II versions. Why didn’t they use all 4 actors from the Ghostbusters II theatrical poster? Why do they hate on Winston?😦
At first glance the back cover may seem to fit perfectly with the end of Ghostbusters II. The majority of artwork comes from a completely different movie. Their was a time during the 20th Century I knew what movie it is, time and a quick search do not reveal this violent scene. Why would the cops need some kind of shot guns? If you can’t defeat ghosts this way, the police certainly aren’t going to stop one Ms. Lady Liberty. “She’s French you know.” – Peter
The Ghostbusters II DVD disc featured ZERO artwork and might have featured both the wide screen and pan and scan versions of the film. Although the movie could be watched in multiple languages, the menu was a pale comparison to Ghostbusters Collectors Edition. If I had taken a screen cap I’d be embarrassed. Thanks to how I flipped the insert you can see the artwork most fans didn’t win. If fans owned Making Ghostbusters by Don Shay, this artwork and a lot more were included in the book.
Until I had a Sony DVD player in 2000, I would play the Collectors Edition on one of the Power Mac G4s the Mac lab at my college had. During the 20th anniversary I replaced that aging DVD player with a newer Sony DVD player we occasionally use with an older TV.
August 3, 2005
Not to any fan’s surprise, a year after Ghostbusters 20th anniversary (well Ghostbusters was 21) and a year after the 15th anniversary of Ghostbusters II had passed like a forgotten step child Sony released as they had previously announced a Ghostbusters/Ghostbusters II DVD gift set. It included new “ectoplasm” packaging, if I remember actual artwork on the discs, new transfers of the movies, included a “in character” making of book for at least Ghostbusters. The real reason to get this (if you didn’t have the ’99 DVD) were the two movie themed episodes from The Real Ghostbusters. I remember as a personal choice knowing they should have used Take Two in addition to Citizen Ghost and Partners In Slime.
August 5, 2005
I use to own this then new fancy DVD set. I traded it to FYE (who eventually owned Suncoast) years later after most likely getting it from Best Buy. Coincidentally the week this was released I had to go to a hospital for past related health “issues.” And if that wasn’t bad enough, stay 5 days. It isn’t that I wouldn’t talk about that on my site, it’s unrelated for a lot of this post. During my stay, I had my then year old iBook G4 and the gift set with me. I wasn’t far into this version of Ghostbusters when family came to visit. I probably eventually watched at least the 2005 version of the movie. Because of the memories, my experiences, and a big issue with Ghostbusters I rarely bothered with the set.
I don’t know about this version of Ghostbusters II, the original new transfer suffered from someone turning up the contrast and brightness levels. If any ghosthead or someone who is really into movies cares about such things, this has been documented. It wasn’t the Ghostbusters I had been use to. It could be hard at times to watch it. If the movies didn’t have special effects, it could have been a little different.
Early 21st Century
From my decision not to watch the Ectoplasmic gift set or the re-released individual versions after 2005, when I wanted to watch Ghostbusters I’d continue watching my Collectors Edition or catch Ghostbusters on cable, then later satellite around Halloween. Yeah.
2006 (While we were still waiting for Ghostbusters III)
As most of you probably know I’ve been apart of a Ghostbusters franchise (group) most of my adulthood. During 2006 while I was still dealing with 2005’s health issues I was “second in command” (I think) as part of Ghostbusters-NJ. Six years later we relaunched as Ghostbusters NJ. We had experience from our big “case file” in 2004 with acting, through mostly writing and pictures. The time had come for us to make a Ghostbusters fan film.
As hard as this is for me to admit, (hope the tape was taped over) I had made 1 low low budget movie when I was 18 to help out a then young friend in California. I’ve never had any aspirations to be in front of a camera.
I was in to be apart of something that was an extension of something we loved. For me, I was only a year out from surviving what I went through. Although I was better then I was, to get ready for a fan movie that was going to be shot as professionally as possible, travel, and actually be in the film was a lot for and on me. No way I wasn’t going to be part of New Jersey’s greatest Ghostbusters fan film, Leeds Curse.
On a crisp, later windy Autumn day I travelled to another region of Jersey to shoot an entire fan film in one day. Unfortunately audio issues caused rewrites and reshoots. Most likely because of my health and geographic location I was written out. The reveal is classic, in a way I close out the movie. I even made the back cover as part of the famous kitchen scene! If someone believed in a second text line, part of my full name could have fit as well.😉
You could forgive us being a not for profit fan production that an 11 minute fan film doesn’t have artwork or an insert. I always thought it would have been great to release some kind of special edition (even if it was just on-line) with the video for the original along with commentary. I don’t imagine many DVDs were made, besides having meaning, its a personal collectible.
At a winter Chiller we were even able to talk to Ernie Hudson about it on a second meeting and present him with a copy. We’d like to believe he relaxed in his hotel room watching a NJ fan film in New Jersey.
If you’ve never seen Leeds Curse and want to know I get chills when I tell my colleagues I’ll check the “paranormal frequencies” the entire film can be viewed below thanks to Ghostbusters News.
25th Anniversary (2009)
Five years ago during Ghostbusters 25th anniversary, in my opinion for the most part Sony was treating one of its cash cows (is that a real expression, I grew up in suburbia) like it was turning 21. They restored THE ECTO-1, made new merchandise which included a video game with not only the actors likenesses, their voices too! 6″ and 12″ figures that looked like Harold Ramis, etc. I believe Sony even updated ghostbusters.com to coincide with the promotion and marketing of Ghostbusters on Blu-ray.
Similar to when I bought the 15th Anniversary DVD, I didn’t even own a Blu-ray player yet. We had barely upgraded one of our aging TVs (from 1997) that was going on us. It was to no one’s surprise if you knew me I bought this Blu-ray anyway with no way to play it at home. I probably thought we’d have a player within months. That became less clear when personal events lead to us moving out of my childhood apartment to buy a house by Thanksgiving. I wasn’t concerned about having a Blu-ray player that year. This one Sony model I liked and had research had been on sale. With a new house, basically a new hi def television, new a lot of things, it was decided to get the player. It became the “big” Christmas present.
It should be illegal to alter the iconic Ghostbusters “no ghost” logo. Which is so recognized around the world, its in Top 5 lists with things you can drink/eat, and places you can really visit. A drink in a red can, places with golden arches, and a castle taken care of by a magical creature that likes to tinker (and meddle) with things. Oh, where was I? Someone at Sony or associated with them actually approved altering the hands for marketing purposes. That way their was no mistaken the merchandise was celebrating 25 years of feeling good. I know I’m more of a traditionalist, as someone who works with computer graphics, somebody there could have come up with something better. It wasn’t like the graphic was a one off.
Beyond the dust slip cover is my Blu-ray. I scanned the covers and the light from the scanner went through the opaque blue tops and sides. I kinda like it though, its like blue ice. Which I wish I could invent and could use for a future, perhaps non disc format.
I’m glad the disc itself has artwork on it. I probably would have used the “no ghost” logo instead of “zooming” in and having to crop just about everything. Writing Ghostbusters on it almost feels like it was an after thought. Its personal preference based on my creativity and experience.
The 25th anniversary edition featured most of the special features from the 1999 Collectors Edition. New features included a picture in picture (Slimer mode) with a pop up trivia track, restoring Ecto-1 with special guest Dan Aykroyd, an Ecto-1 photo gallery, making of Ghostbusters: The Video Game, and additional features if you had/have a Sony Playstation 3.
At the time I would have liked Sony to have additional features such as new commentary with at least the “Ghostbusters.” I wouldn’t have complained if others were involved too. Where was Ray Parker Jr.’s Ghostbusters music video? Even if somewhat impossible without someone footing the bill (where do these expressions come from?) a documentary about the ghostheads. Most which seem to be involved in “franchises.” In another post, I could talk about what I’d like to see added for a 30th Anniversary edition, if we get one at all.
The high def picture is a lot better then the 2005 ectoplasm gift set. It isn’t perfect. Supposedly Sony got it “right” last year with a “4k” version. I wouldn’t know as I don’t currently own that version and even if I did I don’t have an “ultra 4k” television.
2011
When I was collecting a lot of Ghostbusters memorabilia I came across an eBay auction for the LaserVideoDisc version of Ghostbusters. Which was probably originally sold in 1989. As an older kid and into my teenage years I was aware of laser discs even though I didn’t know the history of the technology. Like any new technology prices for players and discs were high. My parents wouldn’t have made the primitive leap of analog tape to then present day digital movies encoded for lasers. Sounds scary when I put it that way. In the small circles of people I knew and by extension my large Italian family I didn’t know anybody who had a laser disc player let alone a laser disc.
I’m not one who would put money on predicting technology trends. Even when I’ve been right. In the mid 1990s I knew DVD would become the standard format over Video CDs, DivX, (remember those?) and the aging Laserdisc. It may have been around Ghostbusters 15th anniversary, (give or take months) I remember on trips to my then local mall seeing Suncoast Video basically blowing out every laserdisc and some players. On that day I don’t know if I found Ghostbusters. Even if I did, I’m sure I didn’t see value in it, assuming the price was affordable for clearance discs that communicate with lasers.
When I came across the Ghostbusters laserdisc I felt differently about it as a collectible, remembering those Suncoast days along with Back To The Future II. I believe I bought or won it for under $10 USD. The laserdisc packaging isn’t mint. Their’s some writing (I think about the length of the movie on the disc) on the back and inside the sleeve. It sorta gives the technology character.
The actual laserdisc is mint and seemed well cared before I took ownership. It was (and normally is) inside a protective plastic sleeve. If the disc was ever played it might have been only in high end players. The laser disc (like early DVDs) is playable on both sides. I’m not that familiar with how much can fit on a disc or if say “side 2” also contains additional features.
My laserdisc seems standard and isn’t from the “Criterion Collection” which for the time features 1 deleted scene and two split screens for special effects comparisons. I’d like to think my disc at least contains the “The Stairway” university scene. Even if it doesn’t, in my world it can.
Other Formats I Had Forgotten About Or Hadn’t Heard Of Until I Was Old(er)
During the 80s the analog wars had Sony battling JVC to see what tape format would reign supreme. Sony had a closed format known as Betamax. Naturally Sony who in a bit of irony would eventually buy Columbia and Tri-Star released Ghostbusters on Betamax. Competing electronics company JVC had developed the VHS format. Their technology was “open format” and licensed to other companies. This helped develop a VCR/VHS market, lowering the price of VCRs and tapes. Their isn’t any truth that Ghostbusters release on VHS in 1985 ended the analog wars.
Before the laserdisc became what it was in the late 80s, RCA had invented a Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED) which was some kind of grooved laserdisc. The format was prone to failure, before the end was near Ghostbusters was released as a CED Videodisc in October 1985.
During the mid 2000s Sony’s earlier version of its Playstation Portable or PSP not only played games, but movies too. Sony’s closed format (which isn’t always a bad thing, remember Apple in the mid ’90s?) was called a Universal Media Disc. UMDs are mini discs with DVD quality. In 2005 Sony released Ghostbusters in the same ectoplasm packaging as its big brother. Their was a time I wanted a PSP, even when I didn’t, I had an opportunity to buy the Ghostbusters UMD and never did. It seems like that version of PSP was around long enough where it might have made sense to own the UMD. Naturally gaming and movie tech will evolve and change the way we’re entertained.
Acknowledgements:
The creators, writers, actors, and everyone who worked on both Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II.
My parents, 1980s neighbors, and family.
Dollar Video (I still might have the orange membership card.)
Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Woz, Apple
1980s network TV
1980s TV “guides”
Kenner
Al Gore (For inventing the internet.)
1990s A.O.L
Other ghostheads and their websites, specifically for this post:
During the 2013 SDCC, Matty Collector and Epic Movie Creations, an adult brand of Mattel announced an official Ghostbusters Neutrino (Nutrona) Wand. Neutrino was approved by some Sony department. At the end of last week, it went on sale to early access subscribers, where Mattel as always noted it could sell out before its launch date to the general public. Ghostheads and anyone else (without an early access subscription) can buy a Neutrino wand beginning today. At some point these will “sell out,” the unanswered question is will they return? Especially if Matty Collector and Epic Movie Creations design and produce a Proton Pack.
I wasn’t that on the fence about it and have felt for its features, the price is fair. I won’t order one until at least tomorrow. I will most likely review it, like I have with the Ecto-Goggles. I’m not 100% sure I’ll have it in time for Christmas. If you’d like to see two reviews, Pixel Dan and AJ Quick have reviewed their Ghostbusters Neutrino Wands.
If you live outside the United States and Mattel can’t sell direct to your country of origin, AJ Quick has been selling them in the Ghostbusters Fans shop. Other sites, such as Big Bad Toy Store may sell internationally as well. I would definitely recommend reading the fine print, particularly on Matty Collector before placing a order.
I’m taking an informal poll to see if ghostheads have, are or will be buying these. The poll will be open for the next week at least.
Most ghostheads know by now that US retail chain, Big Lots! has and is selling “left over” Mattel/Matty Collector stock. This inventory is original and second run Ghostbusters and MOTUC items which Mattel over produced and later sold as part of a cyber deal last year. Regardless whether these items actually sold out during the sale or Mattel decided to end the sale after that day or week, at some point the inventory went to the few Mattel stores in the country. Then later was sold to Big Lots! where they’ve been and are showing up this summer.
A reason this is important to ghostheads is because Big Lots! have been receiving the once expensive Ghostbusters II 12” inch 2 packs. Up to today, ghostheads have been finding the Egon/Ray set. Depending on the inventory a particular store is getting, other once sold out 6” figures are being found. Like slime Peter Venkman, Vigo, Vince Clortho, and even rare Retro-Action Citizen Ghost Peter Venkman.
Many stores have received this inventory, it’s possible a location hasn’t yet and maybe, just maybe your nearby store will receive more inventory. Up until yesterday, their was a link on Big Lots! web site which informed customers if a particular location received this weekly deal. Best to call a store or check your nearby locations.
After last month and more financial obligations this month I was finally able to visit the Toms River, NJ Big Lots! Unfortunately at the time the Toms River location didn’t have any of the 12″ Ghostbusters II sets. I spoke to a cashier who told me when a shipment had come in, someone bought 3 of them. Hopefully it was a ghosthead and ghostheads will own them without a markup. She didn’t think they would be getting in any more as MOTUC had starting coming in. In fact that shipment was put on the shelves yesterday.
The only and I mean the only Mattel Ghostbusters item for sale was a Retro-Action Peter (without mailer) from Citizen Ghost. I didn’t buy it as I already own all the Retro-Action The Real Ghostbusters figures. I thought of getting it to sell, honestly I have other things I should be selling and thought like back in the day, maybe a parent might buy the figure for a kid. I like to be hopeful.
“I thought it was going to be He-Man.”
Big Lots! had 6 MOTUC figures, which included some 2 pack sets and two of the same 12″ inch figure.
“I don’t want to grow up…”
Like others (which had nothing to do with Ghostbusters) I also went to Toys ‘R US in Toms River and was a bit surprised to see 7 Matty Collector Retro Action Janine/Samhain 2 pack sets. They’re sorta on clearance for about $30.
I’m trying to find a ghosthead or family member who if they have or do find a 12” Ghostbusters II Egon/Ray set and would be willing to sell one to let me know. I’m definitely interested in buying one, I may have to wait until September to purchase. In the meantime I may go back to Big Lots! this week.
I didn’t see this posted on a lot of websites, now that I have the time I wanted to pass along what Mattel posted on their Facebook page, which was later updated to suppress an already niche collector market.
“At this time, both of the 2014 subs and the Ecto-1 pre-sale are quite below our expectations. We want nothing more than to see both clubs and the amazing Ghostbusters vehicle move forward. But we can’t do that if we don’t hit the bottom level of sub holders. This is very similar to “Kickstarter” campaigns. Only for the subs and Ecto-1, due to the logistics of the toy making process, we need to lock in our quota and customer base early before we start spending on tooling and other fixed costs.”
“Because of this, Aug 19th is the DEADLINE for both subs and hitting the bare minimum on the Ecto-1. While we hope to keep the Ecto-1 pr-sale open longer after Aug 19th to gain additional pre-sales, if we don’t hit the minimum by Aug 19th, the Ecto-1 will also close down.”
I don’t know if Mattel will actually make good on their scare tactic, as the Ecto-1 pre-sale page still reads November 5, 2013 as the deadline. I understand the pre-ordering and gauging interest to see what it may cost to produce Ecto-1, which no ghosthead thought Mattel would even attempt to make with an understanding that Ghostbusters™ more or less is a dead (no pun intended) franchise to them.
And what they’re trying to do is nothing like a “Kickstarter” campaign. Did they even look to see how Kickstarter or similar web sites actually work? We have no idea how many customers are pre-ordering their Ecto-1 or the new 6” figures most ghostheads don’t need. That is a difference between Kickstarter and similar sites to Mattel’s business strategies. None of us really know how this Ecto-1 will turn out, we’ve barely seen a model of it. They cut the deadline to try to increase pre-orders and try to reach their goal in less then 4 months.
Yes it take times to create and make these expensive, quality collectors toys. Their could have been a 4 month pre-order earlier in the year so Mattel would have the time for the “logistics” in “the toy making process.” Then their would have been plenty of time before Matty Collector would actually sell them and at this years comic con we could have seen an early prototype, not some cardboard graphic and a “foam” block.
Unless something changes I won’t be pre-ordering the Ecto-1 and I don’t need 6” figures with removable packs just so they can sit nicely in the car. I’m a real Ghostbuster, I don’t scare easily.
You might not know it by how much coverage Mattel/Matty Collector gets through Ectocontainment,™ there are actually other companies who create, are creating Ghostbusters™ merchandise. Which may or may not have anything to do with the 30th anniversary.
Naturally these companies show off their wares at such cons as NYCC, Chiller Theater, (well they should) and of course San Diego Comic Con. Ectocontainment™ continues its tradition of taking a look at these Ghostbusters™ products. Some were a surprise and are brand new, others we’ve known about in the last year.
Underground Toys
Underground Toys (site hasn’t updated the new Ghostbusters™ products yet) produced and sold Ghostbusters™ plushes (ie: Stay-Puft) that include a sound chip. Their plushes usually play the main theme from Ghostbusters, written and sung by one Mr. Ray Parker Jr. At SDCC 2013 Underground Toys unveiled a “no ghost” plush. No word yet about what song it will play. While “Ghostbusters” would be the obvious choice I think it would be cool if it could play Cleaning Up The Town from the Bus Boys. Of course, if the rights could be secured.
I own one Underground Toys “happy” Mr. Stay-Puft I bought at Toys ‘R Us. At 35 years old I’m not really into stuffed animals, except for the curious one. Besides collecting Ghostbusters™ I think I wanted an updated Mr. Stay-Puft plush. Really, nothing compares to my Kenner Mr. Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man plush.
Underground Toys has also produced and created Ghostbusters™ mugs. In the past their have been a “no ghost” logo, a Slimer, a Mr. Stay-Puft, and a “Who Ya Gonna Call?” “no ghost” logo mug. All 4 mugs are black. This year UT (abbreviations are cool) unveiled a Ghostbusters™ “heat reveal” mug. The “no ghost” fades into the “no” logo when the mug is hot. While this seems unique and perfect for Ghostbusters™, I think the novelty of the color heating up would eventually wear off. I could be completely wrong.
I don’t currently own the previous $9.99 USD Ghostbusters™ mugs. Depending on the circumstances I don’t know yet if I would by their heat reveal Ghostbusters™ mug.
Factory Entertainment
Factory Entertainment is newer to the Ghostbusters™ license. Their main products seem to be Shakems,™ which are like detailed bobble heads with sound. FE has been working with the ghosthead community to make Slimer and two of the Ghostbusters,™ and Stay-Puft more accurate.
At SDCC they showed off their updated Slimer and Stay-Puft Shakems.™ Stay-Puft has a swappable head. As a ghosthead I appreciate good merchandise from quality companies. I’ve never been much of a bobble head type of guy. Did I really say that out loud? I use to have both of N.E.C.A’s Slimer and Stay-Puft bobble heads. Due to their ceramic like nature, they eventually chipped or broke. In the case of NECA’s Stay-Puft bobble head, mine broke during shipping from a popular company associated with a jungle. I’m not sure what completely happened, as we approach the 30th anniversary I don’t have them any longer.
Earlier this year at New York Toy Fair FE showed off a brand new Ghostbusters™ lunch box with thermos! I’m not sure if that was shown off at SDCC. What fan wouldn’t want a new Ghostbusters™ lunch box? If it was priced right, I wouldn’t mind one. I don’t completely remember if I had a plastic The Real Ghostbusters lunch box in the ‘80s. As a collector I bought a complete one in 2011. A complete Ghostbusters™ lunch box continues to elude me.
Diamond Select Toys
Diamond Select Toys had previously produced and created a line of Ghostbusters™ and The Real Ghostbusters™ Minimates since Ghostbusters™ 25th anniversary. Originally I didn’t collect the Minimates because basically I wasn’t able to collect much new Ghostbusters™ collectibles at the time. I’ve never owned all the original 2 pack sets. When the box sets and exclusives came up for sale through a popular auction site I bought them. I’ve liked them more then I originally thought I would. I don’t collect any of their other Minimates.
I was surprised when DST unveiled new Ghostbusters™ Minimates. In recent years they’ve made just about every character and combination. Especially from Ghostbusters™ and Ghostbusters II.™ They’ve also produced and sold Minimates from The Real Ghostbusters.
The new Ghostbusters™ Minimates have different bodies and include removable proton packs. Removable proton packs are in for 2013. As of now I’m not interested in new Ghostbusters™ Minimates with removable packs. However, as the previous figures are sold out and may be hard to find I think its great that DST are offering new Ghostbusters™ Minimates for the fan base.
DST doesn’t just produce Minimates. They also produce detailed figures for other franchises along with collectibles. Of course while they can’t make Ghostbusters™ figures anytime soon, merchandise includes Ghostbusters™ statutes, banks, silicone molds, and more!
I own a regular Mr. Stay-Puft bank, not the red “angry” version. I might eventually get one of the silicone products. I don’t currently own any of the light up statues. I think the upcoming firehouse statue which DST was showing at SDCC 2013 would be perfect for a display with a variety of Ghostbusters™ Minimates.
Also on display is the upcoming 24” Stay-Puft Marshmallow man. I believe it’s also a bank like its previous smaller versions. As I have other Stay-Pufts, including Matty Collector’s 22” foamy version I don’t really need a plastic 24” Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man that may be able to hold my pennies.
In my opinion some companies who have a license to make Ghostbusters™ merchandise don’t always produce what fans want to buy. I understand too their is a balance with ghostheads and the public. Personally I feel Toy Factory is one of the toy companies who have found that balance. Toy Factory makes plushie toys for claw game machines and related arcades where you need a certain number of tickets or coins to redeem a prize.
The 5 Ghostbusters plushies probably came as a surprise to most fans when ghosthead hawaiiangb found and originally won two of the plushies at a Walmart.
From a discussion at Ghostbusters fans the five plushies are available in two different sizes. I haven’t seen any of them in person as my local Walmart doesn’t have a claw game machine and I haven’t been able to visit places in the area that have the claw machines.
The plushies are definitely a bit nostalgic. The smaller, regular size Slimer reminds me of Kenner’s first version of the green ghost. I really like it.
Update: Ghosthead coasterg posted 2 days ago in the discussion at Ghostbusters fans that the plushies are also available as prizes on the Universal Studios midway. Most noticeably Slimer and Stay Puft.
“Collect them all” wherever claw game machines and midways are located.
Matty wasn’t the only toy company at San Diego Comic Con showing us new and upcoming Ghostbusters toys. Art Asylum gave us our first taste of Series 3 in The Real Ghostbusters line. It was some taste, Series 3 are The Real Ghostbusters ghostly doubles from the first season episode Citzen Ghost.
When I was a kid I loved this episode, what fan didn’t? Its a slight sequel and inside joke to Ghostbusters years before Ghostbusters II. In the episode while Peter is being interviewed he is asked to recount how Slimer came into The Real Ghostbusters lives. Cue up a flashback that shows The Real Ghostbusters coming back to a badly damaged firehouse wearing their Ghostbusters uniforms with marshmallow “stains” still on them. Fortunately while the Ghostbusters were really busy one of them or possibly Janine took the time to order them their new colorful uniforms. I love little tidbits like this. Good thing someone did as the uniforms they wore while battling Gozer had way too much ectoplasmic radiation and needed to be destroyed. Peter was suppose to take care of this, basically forgot while they rebuilt the firehouse and a new containment unit. Too much time passed and the uniforms took on a life of their own becoming ghostly copies of The Real Ghostbusters.
Why Kenner never made the “anti Ghostbusters” is beyond me. I would have gave up my lunch money for them and all The Real Ghostbusters ghosts we’ve been getting in 2011.
8 Year Old Rich: “That’s why we have birthday parties at the arcade.” Good point, I was a smart kid.
Earlier this month Art Asylum showed us our first production shot of the Series 3 four pack which is estimated to be available on November 30, 2011 for $17.99 USD.
This past July (way to stay up-to-date Spengs) Art Asylum, a Diamond Select Toys brand announced and showed off series 2 of their The Real Ghostbusters minimates.
Series 1 gave us both Ray and Egon, for some reason ($$$) even Janine. Their friends and fellow The Real Ghostbusters wouldn’t be around until Series 2. We’re also getting their faithful accountant Louis Tully (in uniform) and a happy Mr. Stay Puft. That’s what happens when you remove Gozer from the traveler.
It couldn’t get much better then that. Ah, but it does. Series 1 brought us Boogieman and Sam Hain. Series 2 bring us two more early season The Real Ghostbusters ghosts, Sandman and Killerwatt! Plus we get a “no ghost” logo ghost, part of a TRU exclusive.
ø Peter Venkman & Winston Zeddemore
ø Stay Puft (good) & Louis Tully (in Ghostbusters uniform)
ø Evil Slimer & Sandman (TRU Exclusive)
ø Logo Ghost & Killerwatt (TRU Exclusive)
Disappointed Louis isn’t just The Real Ghostbusters faithful accountant? Ever wish Mr. Stay Puft would just relax and dress casually? I could have been prepared to bring the big little guy to J.C Penney, Art Asylum has us covered. If your comic book store is as with it as they claim, they’ll (along with a speciality store, hmm) be selling an exclusive box set.
ø Peter Venkman & Winston Zeddemore
ø Angry (casual) Stay Puft & Louis Tully (with a nervous emotion)
Series 2 should retail for $17.99 USD each and is estimated to be available on September 28, 2011.
Some of my favorite toys as a kid were from Lego. While other movie and animated franchises had or currently have Lego people and sets, Ghostbusters (or The Real Ghostbusters) never did. I haven’t been the only fan who would loved to have built a to spec Lego ECTO-1 for example. Without official Legos of the guys, what toy company with a Ghostbusters license could come through for us in a similar way?
That’s where Diamond Select Toys comes in. They’ve been making Ghostbusters toys since 2009. Originally I wasn’t into the lego like block headed figures. What changed my mind was a popular internet auction site for a lot of the Ghostbusters films and video game minimates series sets. I liked them more then I thought I would when I received them.
What really sold me on the minimates besides nostalgia is when I read (and saw) that Diamond Select was releasing The Real Ghostbusters minimates this year. I like Mattel’s Mego style RGB figures, however the RGB minimates feel more like an incarnation of Kenner’s The Real Ghostbusters figures. Unlike Kenner or Matty (for the most part) we now have ghost toys that were actually in The Real Ghostbusters. What fan wouldn’t want a Boogieman figure?
RGB Series 1 includes the following in four separate sets:
ø Ray and Egon (same figures are also part of a 4 pack)
ø Janine (in a RGB uniform) and Slimer
ø TRU Exclusive: Boogieman & electric Terror Dog
ø Sam Hain & Egyptian ghost
Series 1 has been available since Spring 2011. Depending on store availability they can be found at a Toys ‘R Us or fine retailers near you and can be ordered on-line.
In what should be the next entry I’ll talk about the upcoming The Real Ghostbusters Series 2.
Ecto-Containment 
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