How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Ghostbusters.
Quote #1
PETER: As a friend I have to tell you: you've finally gone round the bend on this ghost business. You guys have been running your ass off meeting and greeting every schizo in the five boroughs who says he has a paranormal experience. What have you seen?
Venkman might have a PhD in parapsychology, but he begins the movie as a real skeptic when it comes to all things paranormal. It seems like the script wisely uses Peter as a vehicle to voice audience skepticism in the whole ghost-y thing. Sometimes when a character voices the questions that audiences are thinking, it makes the wilder plot points easier for the masses to swallow.
Quote #2
EGON: I wouldn't say the experience was totally wasted. According to these new readings, I think we have an excellent chance of actually catching a ghost and holding it indefinitely.
RAY: Well, this is great! If this ionization rate is constant for all ectoplasmic entities, we could really bust some heads! In a spiritual sense, of course.
PETER: Spengs? You serious about this catching a ghost?
EGON: I'm always serious.
Not only does Ghostbusters mix the world of ghosts with the world of religion, it slips a big whopping dose of science in there too. All through the movie we get this kind of techno-babble from Egon and Ray. Throughout they find the science in what the world previously thought was superstition.
Quote #3
RAY: Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night?
EGON: Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic?
PETER: Have you or any of your family ever seen a spook, specter or ghost?
RAY: If the answer is yes, then don't wait another minute. Pick up your phone and call the professionals.
PETER, RAY, EGON: Ghostbusters!
This is from the Ghostbusters cheese-ball TV commercial, which feels like a bad ad for a plumber or exterminator. It's worth pointing out that a lot of the laughs in the movie come when it mixes the supernatural with the everyday. Incidentally, part of Aykroyd's original concept was that he wanted to make a movie about guys who were like exterminators, but for ghosts.