The Rollerghoster are a group of animal spirits that possess a roller coaster and kidnap several bystanders.
History[]
In 1944, the Brooklyn-based Matchstick and Butterworth Circus was destroyed in a fire. All of the circus' animals died in the incident.[2] Over 40 years later, the Cheap Thrills Amusement Park opened its latest roller coaster, the Rollerghoster. It was a blatant infringement on the trademarks of the Ghostbusters. The park manager, Ray Cooger, denied the allegation and had Egon Spengler and Janine Melnitz "escorted" out of the park. A short time later, the ghosts of the Matchstick and Butterworth animals manifested in the area occupied by the Rollerghoster. Cooger attempted to get the Ghostbusters' help in getting rid of the ghosts. Suspecting a cheap publicity stunt, they refused. Cooger retaliated and advertised the Rollerghoster as a genuine haunted ride.
The ghosts possessed the Ghost Tunnel section of the Rollerghoster ride, animated it, and took 10 people hostage. The Ghostbusters arrived on scene and Ray Stantz decided to attempt to negotiate with the ghosts unarmed. Stantz was soon taken hostage and advised the team to call in military reinforcements. According to Spengler's analysis, the ghosts were Focused in nature and thus, unable to leave the location. The Ghostbusters were also tasked with not harming the hostages and their comrade. Peter Venkman devised a strategy to scare them out of the ride. Utilizing 1200 yards of Mylar purchased from a theatrical store, Venkman had a pile of debris lit up in front of it and created an illusion of a giant fire. The special effect reminded the ghosts of their untimely deaths and tricked them into vacating the Rollerghoster ride. Since they were unable to concentrate, the ride collapsed and the hostages safely escaped. The Ghostbusters then blasted the ghosts and forced them to disperse.
Description[]
The spirits of the circus animals consist of:
- Elephant
- Horse
- Bear
- Snake
- Monkey
- Gorilla
When they possess a roller coaster, it looks like a Tyrannosaurus Rex with the wooden tunnel as the main head.
Classification[]
Egon Spengler refers to the animal spirits as Class 6 Focused Apparitions.[3]
Trivia[]
- On page ten of Ghostbusters Issue #5, the Rollerghoster makes a non-canon cameo at Fantastic Land.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Marsha Goodman (1986). Episode Call Sheet and SAG Report - "Rollerghoster" (1986).
- ↑ Janine Melnitz (2009). The Real Ghostbusters - "Rollerghoster" (1987) (DVD ts. 12:20-12:31). Time Life Entertainment. Janine says: "In 1944, the Matchstick and Butterworth Circus, a big traveling show, played that lot. They had a terrible fire. No people were killed but a lot of animals were burned up."
- ↑ Egon Spengler (2009). The Real Ghostbusters - "Rollerghoster" (1987) (DVD ts. 17:01-17:07). Time Life Entertainment. Egon says: "It's made up of the ghosts of all those animals. Class 6 Focused Apparitions. They can't leave."
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Primary Canon[]
Secondary Canon[]
