Our introduction to Ghostbusters begins with the ‘Torch Lady’ of the Columbia Pictures ident, but with the traditional accompanying score replaced by U.S composer Elmer Bernstien’s original music. Listed as ‘Library and Title‘ on the original soundtrack, it promises a spooky flavour, utilising the unearthly sound of the theremin, an instrument used so effectively for horror & sci-fi throughout the 1940’s and ’50’s in screen classics such as Spellbound and The Day the Earth Stood Still. I’m a fan of idents being used in a way that overlaps with the film (Raiders of the Lost Ark cleverly used the Paramount ident), as it gives the viewer a feeling of watching something unique. As we will see, statues form a part of the overall iconography of the film.
Words by Gareth Rhodes.
Ghostbusters: Scene by Scene 