Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Ghostbusters II arrived in the summer of 1989, a Columbia Pictures release built on the strength of the 1984 original's box office and cultural staying power. It reunited director Ivan Reitman with the core cast for a story of psychic slime and civic bureaucracy, and while critical reception was mixed, the film performed well commercially and cemented the franchise as a durable property through the following decades of merchandise, animation, and eventual sequels.
This cell draws its value from bringing together all four Ghostbusters, Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, and Winston Zeddemore, in a single strip, the kind of ensemble grouping collectors seek out specifically because it represents the team rather than a lone figure. A frame naming the full roster together speaks to the partnership at the center of the series, the working unit that defines the franchise's identity, and functions much like a promotional or credits cell would, marking the ensemble as the point of interest rather than any single scene.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Ghostbusters II (1989).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced and appearing cleanly punched with no visible torn or deformed holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a dual bilateral variable-area pattern.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer text or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears warm-cream to pale yellow; dye image shows warm, saturated colour consistent with an original release print stock.
Projection history
Light longitudinal lines consistent with projection wear are visible across the frame area; no splices or cue marks seen.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot and the setting is consistent with Ghostbusters II (1989).
Era check
The dual bilateral variable-area optical soundtrack, warm polyester-base stock colour, and saturated dye image are all consistent with a late-1980s theatrical release print.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063283
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
