Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex · Library of Congress. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Ghostbusters II arrived in 1989 as Columbia Pictures' sequel to one of the biggest comedy hits of the decade, reuniting director Ivan Reitman with his original cast five years after the Ghostbusters phenomenon reshaped studio comedy. Coming off the massive success of the first film, the sequel carried enormous commercial weight and remains a fixture of late-80s franchise filmmaking, extending the mythology of Egon Spengler, Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Winston Zeddemore into New York's second haunting.
This cell preserves the full team together, a pairing collectors prize because it captures the ensemble as a unit rather than isolated on individual appearances. Ramis, Murray, Aykroyd, and Hudson each brought distinct comic personas to their roles, and having all four represented in a single strip speaks to the group chemistry that defined the franchise. A team grouping like this reads as an ensemble piece, the kind of frame used to sell the reunion itself, reminding audiences that the Ghostbusters returned intact.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour 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; punching appears clean with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer codes or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears with a slight warm-yellow tint consistent with older acetate safety stock; dye image reads as a colour positive with no obvious fading or red shift.
Projection history
Horizontal parallel lines are visible across the lower portion of the strip, consistent with emulsion or base abrasion from repeated projection.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, consistent with interior scenes from a late-1980s studio production matching the film on record.
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, colour positive print stock, and warm acetate base tint are all consistent with a 1989 theatrical release print of the period.
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 000063284
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
