MY FAVOUTITE FILMS
I've seen many a good film over the years, I wish i could include all of them.
But unfortunately I'm restricted to 10, so here goes
NUMBER 10 = Raiders Of The Lost Ark
NUMBER 9 = The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
NUMBER 8 = Planet Of The Apes
NUMBER 7 = Crocidile Dundee
NUMBER 6 = The Great Escape
NUMBER 5 = The Empire Strikes Back
NUMBER 4 = Ghostbusters
NUMBER 3 = A Night At The Opera
NUMBER 2 = Adventures In Babysitting
NUMBER 1 = Dirty Dancing
NUMBER 10 = Raiders 0f The Lost Ark
Plot Outline: Archeologist and adventurer, Indiana Jones, is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant, before the Nazis
Summary
It is a hot sunny day in South America. We see a bunch of men, shot mostly from the back. They are walking deep into the forest. We see a tall dark figure. He is wearing an old leather jacket, he has at least a two days growth going on, he wears a fedora and he carries a bullwhip ( yes a bullwhip ). Finally, two of the men enter a cave and we hear about some guy named Forstall, who was good, very very good, but he never came out of the place alive. But they enter anyway. They are confronted with tarantulas, spears that are triggered by blocking out the light, a pit that they must swing over and then more tiny poisonous darts that come out of the wall. All this to protect an ancient gold statue. They recover it. One guy dies and the other barely makes it out of the room before it all falls on him. Then he has to get out of the cave and a giant boulder chases him. Finally he makes it out of the cave only to be surrounded by Hovitos and his arch enemy named Belloq. He takes the gold statue that this guy worked so hard for and then the guy runs and makes it to the plane where he is in the passenger seat and there is big snake in the plane. He hates snakes. This mans name? Indiana Jones!
Whhhoooooo!! I'm left breathless just describing that opening. But is there a better beginning of a movie ever? Absolutely not. Does the beginning have anything to do with the rest of the film. No. It is all decoration for what the movie is going to put you through in the 90 minutes to come.
Indiana Jones is the best character to ever hit the screens. And he better be. He is created by George, Steven and played by Harrison Ford. That may seem normal now that we have lived with him for 20 years, but can you imagine what that must have been like back in 1981. That would be like Tom Hanks or Will Smith joining forces with James Cameron and Steven Spielberg for a completely original idea in today's terms.
Raiders took a simple idea and maybe an idea that the guys had from watching Saturday afternoon movies and made it larger than life. This film never stops for you to take your breath. It is filled with rich characters from Indy himself to Marion to Belloq and even to Marcus Brody. Each has their own personality that shines through in certain scenes. Some of my faves were when we first meet Marion having a shot contest in her bar in Nepal. Then there is her scene with Belloq and they get drunk together and she tries to leave using only a butter knife. And of course who can forget Indy's battle with the swordsman and his unrivalled determination to get the ark. " Indy, there is not time. If you still want the truck it is being loaded on a truck for Cairo. " ( a battered and bloody Indy ) " Truck? What truck?" ( and then later ) "Get some transport back to England, boat, plane, anything. Meet me at Omar's. I'm going after that truck. " Sola ) " How? " ( Indy ) I don't know I'm making this up as I go."
Raiders has more energy than three action films. And that is what makes it the classic that it is. If you like movies, then Raiders is a movie that will not let you down. It is pure entertainment and that is undisputable. It finds the youngster in all of us and bombards us with this silly, whip-cracking, average, incredibly determined archaeologist and only asks us to have fun. And that we do. And to me, the only reason that Chariots of Fire won best picture that year is because it is a serious film. Raiders was heads and shoulders above Chariots and it should have cleaned up at the Oscars in 81. But more politics with the academy.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is the epitome of entertainment. What more can be said about it. If you haven't seen this movie in a while or if you haven't seen it at all ( gasp ) then do yourself a favour and rent it tonight. It is awesome.
Trivia
Indiana Jones' name comes from the name of George Lucas's dog.
The scene where Indy threatens to blow up the Ark with a bazooka as it is being carried through a canyon was filmed in the same canyon in Tunisia used in Star Wars (1977) when R2-D2 was zapped and stolen by Jawas.
In filming the Well of Souls sequence, the producers scoured every pet shop in London and the South of England for every snake they could lay their hands on. Hence there are snakes that are identifiable from many different geographical areas. However, once all the snakes were on set, it became clear that there were not nearly enough of them, so Spielberg had several hoses cut into lengths, and these were used as well. Looking closely, you can tell which are the real snakes and which are not.
An early draft of the script had Indy travelling to Shanghai to recover a piece of the Staff of Ra. During his escape from the museum where it was housed, he sheltered from machine gun fire behind a giant rolling gong. Also in the same script, Indy and Marion flee the chaos caused by the opening of the Ark in a wild mine-cart chase sequence. Both of these scenes were cut from the script, but ended up in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984).
Begins with a shot of a peak in the jungle which is reminiscent of the Paramount Pictures logo. See also Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989))
Director Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying: "I made it as a B-movie... I didn't see the film as anything more than a better made version of the Republic serials."
Tom Selleck originally cast as Indiana Jones, but was committed to "Magnum P.I." (1980).
Jock's airplane at the beginning has the registration number "OB-CPO", referring to Obi-wan and C-3PO from _Star Wars (1977)_ (qv).
Script originally included a long fight between a swordsman and Indiana with his whip. Actor Harrison Ford was suffering diarrhea at the time, and asked if the scene could be shortened. Spielberg said the only way he could shorten it was if Indy pulled out his gun and just shot the guy. The entire crew laughed and that's how it was filmed.
,br>The truck that didn't have Marion in it was flipped over by firing a section of a telephone pole through the floorboards.
Ford badly bruised his ribs during the scene where he is dragged behind the truck.
The hieroglyphics in the Well of Souls include engravings of R2-D2 and C-3PO (from Star Wars (1977), etc). They can be seen on a post to the right of Indy and Sallah as they remove the Ark.
Harrison Ford was actually dragged behind the truck for some of the shots. When asked if he was worried, Ford quipped: "No. If it really was dangerous, they would have filmed more of the movie first."
CAMEO(Dennis Muren): Appears as a Nazi spy who is tracking Indiana Jones on the airplane. Only his eyes can be seen, though, as most of his face is hidden behind the Life Magazine he's reading.
Goofs
Continuity: The spiders on Indy's back appear and disappear.
Continuity: During the firefight in Marion's Bar, Indy's gun changes from a .38 revolver to a Colt .45, back to a .38, then back once again to a .45. This might be the reason that he is able to fire his gun 7 times without reloading.
Continuity: The clasp on the Bible that Indy throws down on the table.
Continuity: Amount of hair in Marion's gag in the tent.
Crew or equipment visible: Cobra's reflection in glass between it and Indy.
Revealing mistakes: When Indy pushes a stone block out of a wall to escape from the crypt, it bounces as it hits the ground.
Continuity: Position of medallion's chain when Marion pulls it out of her blouse.
Revealing mistakes: The exploding truck has a pole launched out of the bottom of it to make it flip over.
Errors in geography: When Indy flies out of San Francisco, the arrangement of the plane, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fort Point indicates that the plane is flying towards San Francisco, not away from it.
Factual errors: The issue of Life magazine that we see Toht reading has the front cover of the magazine's second issue (November 30, 1936), showing a West Point cadet, but the back cover of the following issue (December 7), advertising Stetson hats. The actual November 30 back cover advertised Lucky Strike cigarettes.
Anachronisms: Set in 1936, the sub-machine guns used are German MG-44s, not designed until 1944.
Anachronisms: Map showing the path of Indy's flight includes Thailand, which was called Siam at the time.
Plot holes: Egypt was British-controlled in 1936 and the Germans would not have been able to mount a large military operation there as shown.
Continuity: The staff is supposed to be 60 inches tall (6 kadams = 72 inches, minus 1 kadam). The pole that Indy inserts into the hole in the map room towers over his head, indicating (incorrectly) that Indy is less than five feet tall. The laserdisc edition disproves any claim that he's standing on a lower step.
Continuity: During the basket sequence, the sweat marks on Indy's back shrink and grow from shot to shot.
Continuity: After trapping Indy in the Well of Souls, Belloq's hat jumps from his hand to the ground.
Factual errors: The snakes in the Well of the Souls come from all over the world.
Revealing mistakes: Glass wall between Indy and the cobra.
Revealing mistakes: The driver of Belloq's car winces before Belloq hits him.
Continuity: Luggage rack detaches itself from the truck when Indy collides with the water trough, but it's fixed in subsequent shots.
Revealing mistakes: The plane that is circling on the ground is driven by a chain around its wheels.
Continuity: Blood on the plane window disappears.
Revealing mistakes: Trench dug under the truck that Indy slides under.
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Indiana seems to have clung to a submarine which was diving (we hear the klaxon and the order "Dive! Dive!" in German) for a trip of several hundred miles. However, it is possible that the dive was only to periscope depth, and the sub may have surfaced once offshore. Footage was actually shot, but cut before release, showing Indy lashed to the periscope with his whip, and he might similarly have hidden near the waterline during surface running.
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: The Golden Gate Bridge was not opened until 1937, but the main structure was finished in November 1936. Evidently the movie takes place later in 1936 than that. This is confirmed by the fact that in the same scene with the bridge, Toht is reading Life magazine, whose first issue was dated November 23, 1936;
NUMBER 9 = The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
Summary
Before there was Mike Meyers, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, JIM CARREY -- of course -- there was the great and late Danny Kaye. In "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", Mr. Kaye gives a brilliant and hysterical performance as the highly imaginative Walter Mitty, who escapes his own real life and pictures himself as a whole new person, whether it's a hat designer, professional gambler, a war hero, surgeon, etc. Yet his imagination is no longer fiction when a real life event and adventure takes place in the dull, but unique life of Walter Mitty.
Anyhow, I was really surprised at this movie. I thought it was going to be boring, because 1947 is 34 years before I was born, but I was really impressed by this movie. As a matter of fact, I thought it was A LOT funnier than a few comedy films they have these days. Danny Kaye really puts a smile on your face in this film. Anyone would love watching this film! It's a true classic!
NUMBER 8 = Planet Of The Apes
Plot Outline: An astronaut crew lands on a planet where intelligent apes are the dominant species.
No one I know under 40 had seen this film, though we all joked about it as being a stereotypical "bad" film based on rumors. the title, and clips seen here and there. Finally one weekend when I was working until 2:00 a.m. I went home and there was a sequel on late night TV, during the 30 year Planet of the Apes marathon. It made me curious about the original and I tracked it down. I have to say it blew me away!
The film is philosophical, creative, absorbing and scary. Excellent commentary on religion and just about everything else. I strongly recommend to anyone who has not seen it. So far I haven't even been able to convince my friends to see it because there seems to be such a strong prejudice against it and some sort of entrenched belief it must be bad; in fact it is one of the finest films I've seen and I can see why it is a classic.
If you enjoy films that make you think you simply can't dislike Planet of the Apes.
Trivia
Edward G. Robinson was the original choice for the role of Dr. Zaius, and actually filmed a test scene with 'Charlton Heston' (qv) to prove to the executives at Fox that make-up could be used to create believable simians. However, Robinson suffered from a weak heart and didn't think he could endure the day-to-day rigours of performing in the ape make-up. He and Heston had previously teamed up in _The Ten Commandments (1956)_ and would do so again in _Soylent Green (1973)_.
During breaks in filming, actors made up as different ape species tended to hang out together---apes with apes, orangutans with orangutans, chimps with chimps. It wasn't required, it just naturally happened.
There is a resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico that claims that final scene ("Damn you!") was filmed on their beach. This is not true. According to a recent documentary, the scene was filmed on Zuma Beach in Southern California.
NUMBER 7 = Crocodile Dundee
Plot Outline: An American reporter goes to the Australian outback to meet an eccentric crocodile poacher and invites him to New York City. (more)
Summary
This movie was one of the biggest comedy hits of its day and yet it is still under-appreciated. I don't remember anyone complaining when they first came out of the theatre, and yet people make fun of it because it is so simple. This movie reminds me of those old comedy-romances of the 30's and 40's. Paul Hogan is perfect as the country boy from Australia who gets together with the big-city girl from NY, NY. Hogan has a lot of chemistry with his female counterpart who he eventually married in real life. Anytime I need a little cheering up I just pop this baby in. Don't underestimate this movie, it is a real treat.
Trivia
The wild and ferocious buffalo that Mick Dundee pacified was drugged.
The "quotes" around "Crocodile" in the title were added for the American release to ensure people didn't think that Dundee was a crocodile.
After Mick chases off a group of drunken kangaroo poachers by assuming a kangaroo's carcass and firing a shotgun at them from behind it, he turns to the dead kangaroo and says "Good one, Skippy." This is a reference to the 1960's Australian children's show Skippy.
NUMBER 6 = The Great Escape
Plot Outline: Several hundred Allied POWs plan a mass escape from a German POW camp.
Summary
What can I say, this is one of my favorite movies of all time.What starpower! What a top notch international cast! The excitement, the drama , the really cool music. Live the escape!! See it today!
Trivia
Paul Brickhill, who wrote the book from which the film is based, was piloting a Spitfire aircraft that was shot down over Tunisia in March 1943. He was taken to Stalag Luft III in Germany, where he assisted in the escape preparations.
The film was shot entirely on location in Europe, with a complete camp resembling Stalag Luft III built near Munich, Germany. Exteriors for the escape sequences were shot in the Rhine Country and areas near the North Sea, and Steve McQueen's motorcycle scenes were filmed in Fussen (on the Austrian border) and the Alps. All interiors were filmed at the Bavaria Studio in Munich.
When the Bavaria Studio's backlot proved to be too small, the production team obtained permission from the German government to shoot in a national forest adjoining the studio. After the end of principal photography, the company restored (by reseeding) some 2,000 small pine trees that had been damaged in the course of shooting.
For the train sequences, a railroad engine was rented and two condemned cars were purchased and modified to house the camera equipment. Scenes were shot on the single rail line between Munich and Hamburg, and a railroad representative was on hand to advise the filmmakers when to pull aside to avoid hitting scheduled oncoming trains.
During the climatic motorcycle chase, Sturges allowed McQueen to ride (in disguise) as one of the pursuing German soliders, so that in the final sequence, thorugh the magic of editing, he's actually chasing himself.
Several cast members were actual P.O.W.s during World War II. Donald Pleasence was held in a German camp, Hannes Messemer in a Russian camp and Til Kiwe and Hans Reiser were prisoners of the Americans.
Charles Bronson, who portrays the chief tunneler, brought his own expertise to the set: he had been a coal miner before turning to acting and gave director Sturges advice on how to move the earch.
Although McQueen did his own motorcycle riding, there was one stunt he did not perform: the hair-raising 60-foot jump over a fence. This was done by McQueen's friend Bud Elkins, who was managing a Los Angeles area motorcycle shop when recruited for the stunt. It was the beginning of a new career for Elkins, as he later doubled for McQueen in Bullitt (1968) and did much of the motorcycle riding on the television series "CHiPs" (1977).
Hilts (Steve McQueen) strings a wire across the road to obtain a motorcycle. McQueen himself performed the stunt where the rider hits the wire.
The motorcycle ridden by Steve McQueen is the same motorcycle ridden by Henry Winkler as Fonzie in "Happy Days" (1974).
The individual incidents in the film are mostly true, but were rearranged as to both the timing and the people involved. (A note at the start of the film acknowledges this.) For instance, of the 76 who escaped, there were indeed 3 who got away and 50 who were murdered in reprisal, but the murders occurred in small groups, not all at once. (14 Germans were executed after the war for their parts in them.)
The motorcycle scenes were not based on real life but were added at McQueen's suggestion. The airplane theft was also fictitious.
McQueen also personally attempted the jump across the border fence, but crashed. The jump was successfully performed by 'Bud Ekins' (qv).
Wally Floody, real-life "tunnel king" (he was transferred to another camp just before the escape), served as a consultant to the filmmakers, almost full-time, for more than a year.
The real-life escape preparations involved 600 men working for well over a year. The escape did have the desired effect of diverting German resources, including an ongoing effect in that the number of guards was doubled after the Gestapo took over the camp from the Luftwaffe.
The real-life escape was on the night of March 24, 1944, and the ground was snow-covered. The German town near the prison camp, called Neustadt in the film, was really Sagan (now Zagan, Poland).
The nationality of many of the prisoners in the story was changed, emphazing American, and de-emphasizing Commonwealth and other Allied.
Goofs
Factual errors: In the opening sequence, during which Allied POWs arrive at the camp and dismembark from trucks, Luftwaffe guards are holding their Schmeisser MP-40 9mm machine pistols at the ready, except for one who's clearly holding a US-issue M-3 .45-calibre "grease gun," a weapon no German soldier would be issued.
Factual errors: The head Luftwaffe Sergeant greets the British Group Captain by introducing himself as a "Hauptscharf�hrer." Hauptscharf�hrer was not a Luftwaffe rank, but rather a senior enlisted rank of the SS.
Factual errors: While there were Americans in the camp when the escape preparations were begun, in real life none of them were among the 76 who escaped because they had all been transferred to another camp by then.
Factual errors: Since the US and Germany are both in the war in July, the movie must be set in the summer of 1942, 1943, or 1944. In none of those years was there a new moon during the period July 7-9 as is stated twice.
Anachronisms: The railway logo is incorrect.
Anachronisms: Traffic signs are clearly post-war.
Anachronisms: The motorcycle that Hilts uses in his escape attempt was a 1960s British Triumph 650.
Continuity: Motorcycles change in closeup shots.
Anachronisms: Sedgwick is shown reading "Liberation", a newspaper not published during the German occupation of France.
NUMBER 5 = The Empire Strikes Back
Plot Outline: While Luke takes advanced Jedi training from Yoda, his friends are relentlessly pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke
Summary
This is my favorite of the classic Star Wars trilogy! It is the most suspenseful of the three and, as great as the other two are, they don't flow like this one does. This one explores the relationships instead of just action sequences (which are good in all three, though). The romance between Han and Leia and the one between Luke and Yoda, for example. This does have the best action sequence of the three of them, though; the lightsaber duel between Luke and Darth Vader. Pure brilliance!
Trivia
On Hoth, General Rieekan says "Send Rogues 10 and 11 to sector 38," a veiled reference to THX 1138 (1970).
The character of Boba Fett is never referred to by name, except in the credits.
In the asteroid scene, one of the asteroids is actually a shoe. The rumor is that George Lucas asked the SFX people to redo the scene so many times that they got annoyed and one of them threw in their shoe.
Lighting for SFX was so strong that several models melted.
The AT-AT's were based on ship loading structure in an Oakland, California shipyard. Walking patterns of elephants were studied to make the movements seem as realistic as possible.
Mark Hamill was involved in a minor car accident before shooting began, and many rumours exist regarding facial injuries and script rewrites. The magazine "Starlog" (#40) contains an interview with Hamill where he attempts to dispel the rumours.
Further scenes with the wampa were shot, and later cut. R2-D2 encountered one within the Rebel base, where it was killed by troopers. Later, the beasts were lured into a prison within the complex. In the completed film, a medical droid is seen examining the wounds of a tauntaun killed by a wampa, and Princess Leia mentions the "creatures" while discussing the Imperial probe droid. A scene filmed but cut had Han, Leia and C-3PO running through a corridor. Han went to take a short-cut through a door with a sign on it, but Leia warned him "that's where those creatures are kept". They run off, but not before C-3PO rips off the sign, hoping that the stormtroopers will enter the room.
Luke cuts off the Wampa's arm. C-3PO loses an arm when blasted by the Stormtroopers. Darth Vader cuts off Luke's hand. See also Star Wars (1977) and Return of the Jedi (1983).
The blasters used by the stormtroopers were constructed from Stirling submachine guns.
There is a rumor that one of the asteroids is actually a potato.
The following characters "have a bad feeling about this": Leia. See also: Star Wars (1977) and Return of the Jedi (1983).
Security surrounding this movie was so intense that 'George Lucas' (qv) had regular reports about "leaks" from actors. Lucas was so determined that the ending be kept secret that he had actor David Prowse (Darth Vader) say "Obi Wan Kenobi is your father" ("Obi-Wan killed your father" by some reports), and dubbed it later to be "I am your father".
An extra fell sick, and Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) was called in as a replacement. He can be seen as the Imperial Guard who pulls Princess Leia into the elevator after she screams "Luke! It's a trap!". He can also be seen as the Imperial Guard who is captured by Lando Calrissian's men.
Denis Lawson plays Wedge Antilles. Wedge was not originally scripted to appear in this film, but intense fan interest prompted Lucas to include him. See also Return of the Jedi (1983).
This is Carrie Fisher's favorite movie of the trilogy. The scene where Han Solo (Harrison Ford) was to be carbon frozen was a long and complex scene which required many takes. Eventually, Leia says "I love you" to Han Solo. Ford had heard this line so many times that he changed the scripted "I love you too" to "I know". Lucas didn't want to film the scene again, and thought it read much better that way, so it remained.
Goofs
Continuity: The ladder that Luke uses to climb into his cockpit when leaving Dagobah disappears.
Crew or equipment visible: Reflected in C-3PO's head as it travels down the conveyor belt in Cloud City, and also during the carbon-freezing scene.
Continuity: Han Solo's vest during the carbon-freezing scene.
Continuity: On Vader's Star Destroyer near the end of the movie, the rank insignia of the Imperial officers changes sides repeatedly.
Continuity: Just before Vader amputates Luke's hand, piece of shiny tape around the end of a recently cut pole changes to burn marks.
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Why does Luke leave the safety of the snow creature's cave? Either it's a bad decision on his part (in which case this is not a goof), or he considered that staying in the cave was more dangerous than not doing so - perhaps he was tired, and feared that more snow creatures would attack him (also not a goof).
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: It is often thought that there is a goof in the carbon-freezing scene, where Han Solo's arms are tied behind him when approaching the carbon freezing unit, but when appearing in the carbon block they are in front of him. In the widescreen version, it is possible to see the short guards re-tie his hands in front of him as he is facing Leia. Note also that he is bound by a belt just above the elbows.
NUMBER 4 = Ghostbusters
Plot Outline: Three unemployed parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.
Summary
Being a child of the 80's, the REAL Ghostbusters was one of my favorite cartoons, therefore Ghostbusters is one of my favorite movies.
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I like it because it has just the right mix of comedy and horror to suit my taste.
The story is easy enough to follow "Guy likes girl, girl is possessed, guy must save girl, marshmallow man walks through New York". Easy enough to follow I think.
The acting is great too, the four Ghostbusters just click so well together, and Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis are great as the supporting cast.
All in all, this is a great movie. Go out and buy it, you will not regret it. Besides, who ya gonna call?
Trivia
Dana's apartment building actually exists at 55 Central Park West in New York City. The building is actually only 19 stories high. For the film, matte paintings and models were used to make the building look bigger and with more floors.
Though never referred to in the script, the green ghost the guys bust in the hotel was dubbed "Onionhead" by the crew, because of its horrid smell. A scene where the ghost haunts two newlyweds showed this characteristic, but it was cut. Since it was never referred to in the movie, the writers of the animated show came up for a different name for the green ghost: Slimer.
The role of Louis Tully was originally written for 'John Candy' (qv).
The role of Peter Venkman was originally written for 'John Belushi' (qv).
The role of Winston was originally written for Eddie Murphy.
'Dan Aykroyd's (qv) original version of the script began with the Ecto-mobile flying out of Ghostbusters HQ, but director Ivan Reitman suggested that it would be better to show how the team got started.
The eggs which fry themselves are sitting next to a package of "Sta-Puft" marshmallows. There is also a large advertisement for "Sta-Puft" marshmallows (complete with the marshmallow man) visible on the side of a building.
The Sta-Puft marshmallow man was originally supposed to come up out of the water right next to The Statue of Liberty, to get a contrast of size, but the scene was too hard too shoot.
The demonic voice of Dana/Zuul was performed by director Ivan Reitman. The voice of Gozer was provided by 'Paddi Edwards' (qv).
Many sequences were shot but removed from the film (a couple of the following were added as extras to the Criterion Collection CAV laserdisc release) :
Several shots in the sequence where Venkman, Stantz, and Spengler are thrown off campus were cut.
Several scenes throughout the film with Janine and Egon were cut.
The first time Venkman leaves Dana's apartment, he says to Louis "What a woman."
The "green slimer" ghost is discovered by two newlyweds at the Hotel Sedgewick. Also cut was a Ghostbuster inspection of the room.
A policeman tries to ticket the Ectomobile, but the car won't let him.
Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd play two bums that witness Louis being chased by the terror dog.
Ray and Winston inspect Fort Detmerring, where Ray dresses in an old General's coat and falls asleep. When he awakes, he sees a female ghost above his bed. This part of the sequence was kept and used in the montage in the middle of the film.
Louis encounters two muggers in Central Park during the ghost montage.
Venkman and Stantz discuss matters with the mayor outside City Hall.
The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man sequence ends with his large hat falling to the ground. Some deleted shots appear in the film's trailers.
NUMBER 3 = A Night At The Opera
Plot Outline: A sly business manager and two wacky friends of two opera singers help them achieve success while humiliating their stuffy and snobbish enemies.
Summary
This is probably the best Marx Brothers film. It is certainly my favorite.The brothers destroy pomposity and pretension by the ton. The pieces of comic business were worked out through many live theater performances before the scenes were finally filmed. This craftsmanship never shows, but it pays off completely. The stateroom scene is a classic, and the total devastation of the opera is a delicious piece of craziness.
Trivia
The famous "stateroom scene" was originally conceived as a way of getting a cheap laugh by having Groucho, crowded out of his room, changing his pants in the corridor.
The first storyline for A Night at the Opera was about Groucho as an producer of an opera. That story was dropped but appeared many times in Hollywood as a story idea - until Mel Brooks made his terrific _The Producers_ of it and got an Academy Award!
NUMBER 2 = Adventures In Babysitting
Summary
Remember your childhood favorite movie? Well, this one was mine. At least between the ages of ten and eleven. And it is very much... aimed toward children, although I do admit, I am still somewhat entertained by it even today.
Elisabeth Shue is the babysitter in question, a "17-year-old" who looks about 35. Her charge is a young girl named Sarah (I don't know who plays the girl, but for a child actress she's alright) and somehow Sarah, her brother and his friend, and the babysitter, Kris, all end up driving in to Chicago. Of course you know there's trouble ahead... and by golly, you wouldn't believe the scrapes these characters get in to. Some of them are fun (Sarah getting stuck on a building, the gladiator guy), some are downright ridiculous (the singing the blues scene, everyone thinking Kris is a porn star-- come on, this is a "family" movie!) and they all add up to passable Hollywood fluff... with decent acting...
Trivia
Sara wears a backpack with a picture of Gizmo on it. This is a reference to "Gremlins" which was written by Chris Columbus.
Served as the basis for a 1989 CBS unsold pilot starring Jennifer Guthrie and Brian Austin Green.
NUMBER 1 = Dirty Dancing
Plot Outline: Spending the summer in a holiday camp with her family, Frances ('Baby') falls in love with the camp's dancing teacher.
Summary
Goofs
Revealing mistakes: You can see Jennifer Grey's body stocking during the first sex scene.
Continuity: Johnny gets his pants dirty by sliding across the floor, yet they are clean in the next shot.
Continuity: Johnny puts his records back twice after talking to Max.
Crew or equipment visible: Sound operator holding a boom microphone, when Johnny teaches Baby about balance by dancing on a log.
Continuity: Johnny takes his jacket off twice just before the last dance of the season.