Who you gonna call?

University staff members Dr. Peter Venkman, Dr. Raymond Stantz and Dr. Egon Spengler deal with paranormal phenomena as their research focus. This is a thorn in the side of the dean Yeager and when the three have caused some turmoil in the New York Public Library, he throws them out of the university without further ado. Shortly after, the doctors decide to offer their services as ghostbusters. One of their first clients is Dana Barrett, who has seen a strange apparition in her refrigerator. Over the course of the next week, the paranormal apparitions in New York steadily increase as the arrival of an ancient Sumerian deity is imminent.

US TV version with alternative footage

In 1987, the film had its TV premiere in the US, with a note right at the beginning that the broadcast was edited for TV compared to the Theatrical Version. As with other US TV versions, all swear words were removed from the film. The affected part was either shortened, replaced with an alternate shot, or the swear word was simply removed from the audio track. The alternate scenes were created during filming in anticipation of a TV version and should be of interest to fans of the film. Completely removed was the scene in which Ray dreams of a ghost unbuttoning his pants. The US TV version was zoomed to full screen. Care has always been taken to ensure that the relevant part of the picture is seen as much as possible by shifting the frame or cutting back and forth on a shot.

Picture comparison:

TV version:

Theatrical Version:

Runtimes:

TV version: 96:40 min. (NTSC)
Theatrical Version: 105:08 min. (film)

Comparison between the US TV Version and the Theatrical Version.

[00:01:02][00:00:27]

The TV version fades in an "Edited for Television" note at the beginning.

No time difference.


[00:05:21][00:04:56]

In the TV version, you see Dr. Venkman's subject from behind as he stands up. As he does so, he shouts "I'll tell you what the effect is.".

Theatrical Version cuts to the subject saying "I'll tell you what the effect is. It's pissing me off!"

TV: 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[00:07:07][00:06:48]

In the Theatrical Version, Venkman and Ray are seen earlier as they run up the steps. The cut serves to shorten a previously spoken sentence by Venkman.

In the TV version, he says.

"You guys have been meeting and greeting every schizo in the five boroughs."

The Theatrical Version includes the "running your ass off".

"You guys have been running your ass off meeting and greeting every schizo in the five boroughs."

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:27:37][00:28:11]

Because it fades down for the commercials, the Theatrical Version shows Venkman and Lois in the hallway longer.

In our recording, the next scene starts a bit later, but here it seems that the commercials have been cut out only in an unclean way.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:25:48][00:26:17]

Dana's comment about the refrigerator was cut a little short: "No. Goddamn it."

No time difference.


[00:29:40][00:30:04]

The "Jesus." from Venkman when the hotel manager appears was removed from the audio track in the TV version.

No time difference.


[00:37:31][00:38:10]

After Slimer is captured and the Ghostbusters come back to the hotel lobby, the TV version of this shows an alternative scene. At this, Venkman says "What a knockabout of pure fun that was."

In the Theatrical Version, however, he says:

Venkman, "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!"

Since there was a commercial before this part, the beginning of the scene is missing again in our recording.

TV: 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 8 sec.


[00:40:14][00:41:04]

In the TV version, the scene in which Ray dreams of a ghost opening his pants is missing. During the dream, he falls out of bed.

Theatrical Version: 31 sec.


[00:46:09][00:47:46]

When Venkman takes on Walter Peck, the TV version shows an alternate scene as he says he's going to sue him. His dialogue differs in this.

TV version:

Venkman: "You go get the court order and I'll sue your funny face for wrongful prosecution!"

Theatrical Version:

Venkman: "You go get the court order and I'll sue your ass for wrongful prosecution!"

TV: 8 sec
Theatrical Version: 5 sec.


[00:46:21][00:47:55]

After the scene with Walter Peck, our version has a short gap due to the commercial break.

Theatrical Version: 2 secs.


[00:49:59][00:51:42]

When Dana spots the outline in her doorway, the TV shows an alternate shot of her saying "Oh, no."

In the Theatrical Version, she says "Shit!"

TV: 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[00:55:28][00:57:23]

When Dana is lying on the bed with Venkman, the "inside me" from her sentence "I want you inside me." was dropped from the audio track of the TV version. The "I want you." was also moved back a bit to fit with the lip movements.

No time difference.


[00:57:59][01:00:04]

The shot of the coachman as he says "What an asshole." was removed for the TV version.

Due to the ad insertion, our recording is missing how the cop knocks on the door.

TV: 1 sec.


[01:04:08][01:06:31]

The end of the sentence in which Venkman is called a "wise-ass" by Walter Peck was cut in the TV version.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.


[01:05:00][01:07:27]

The technician's "Oh shit" was removed from the soundtrack in the TV version.

Since only Lois is seen in the TV version, this is not noticeable.

No time difference.


[01:06:12][01:08:41]

After Venkman asks where the Keymaster is, the TV version cuts to the Ghostbusters standing in the smoke. Ray asks who the Keymaster is.

The Theatrical Version continues to show the same shot. Egon says "Shit.", then Ray asks who the Keymaster is.

TV: 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[01:06:25][01:08:54]

Egon's "Your mother!" was removed from the audio track in the TV version.

Also not noticeable in the TV version, as he is not in the picture.

No time difference.


[01:08:10][01:10:42]

Again, a short gap due to the ad insertion in our recording. Winston is seen earlier in the cell.

Theatrical Version: 1 sec.

[01:12:27][01:15:12]

When Ray tells the mayor that Walter is to blame for everything, the TV version shows an alternate shot of Ray. His sentence has been adjusted a bit.

Ray: "Your honor, our system was working just fine until the power grid was turned off by Walley Wick here."

Theatrical Version shows Ray standing next to Venkman.

Ray: "Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shut off by dickless here."

TV: 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[01:12:35][01:15:20]

After the mayor asks if Walter's statement is true, the TV version shows an alternate shot of Venkman.

Venkman: "It's true your honor. The man is some kind of rodent, I don't know which."

In the Theatrical Version, Venkman confirms Ray's previous statement.

Venkman: "Yes, it's true. This man has no dick."

TV: 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 4 sec.


[01:13:48][01:16:36]

As Winston tells the mayor about his experiences with the Ghostbusters, the TV version shows an alternate shot of him.

Winston: "Since I joined these men, I've seen stuff that'll turn you white."

In the Theatrical Version, Winston gets to say "shit".

Winston: "Since I joined these men, I've seen shit that'll turn you white."

TV: 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 3 sec.


[01:13:52][01:16:40]

The phrase "Well, you can believe Mr. Pecker." from Venkman was dubbed "Well, you can believe Mr. Wick." in the TV version.

No time difference.


[01:24:43][01:27:57]

Venkman's "Make them hard!" became a kind of exclamation in the TV version.

No time difference.


[01:27:30][01:30:51]

The "Oh, shit!" from Winston before the Marshmallow Man appears was removed from the audio track on the TV version.

No time difference.


[01:28:53][01:32:17]

After the Marshmallow Man looks up, a cut to Venkman saying "Mother pus bucket." is missing.

Theatrical Version: 3 secs.


[01:29:26][01:32:54]

After Ray says they are killed by a Marshmallow Man, Venkman adds "We've been going about ths wrong. This Mr. Stay Puft is okay. He's a sailor. He's in New York. We get this guy laid, we won't have any trouble."

Theatrical Version: 7 secs.


[01:31:22][01:35:00]

Due to the advertising insertion, the building platform is missing in our recording.

Theatrical Version: 3 secs.


[01:33:38][01:37:26]

The TV version shows an alternate shot of the Ghostbusters helping Lois out of the pile of rocks.

Egon: "You'll be all right."

In the Theatrical Version, Lois adds that the caretaker will be unhappy.

Egon: "You'll be all right."
Lois: "Boy the superintendent's gonna be pissed."

TV: 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 7 sec.


[01:34:28][01:38:19]

The TV version uses different lettering on the titles in the credits.

No time difference.


[01:36:19][01:40:17]

Part of the credits is missing from our recording.

Theatrical Version: 4:51 min.