A tribute to Harold Ramis

Well, it seems that is true and the last chance of Hollywood to create the third Ghostbusters movie is gone forever. Harold Ramis, the man who not only played Egon Spengler but also co-wrote the film died from a Vasculitis the last February 24.

I wonder If his Epitaph will be a quote from Ghostbusters, which would be kind of ironic considering he's dead... who knows

That’s exactly what I thought the first time I read the news, but the thing is: I don’t find correct associate him only with Egon or Ghostbusters, although is a great role and, of course wonderful movie. So I decided to do some research to talk about him and dedicate a post about his legacy. And for research I mean look up Wikipedia because unlike Ramis, I’m a lazy writer.

Now, I got to confess I never been a big ban of Ramis and his work due the fact that I was in the 90’s, so I’ve never got the chance to be part of the Ghostbusters fandom the time it was released in theaters. I guess I born too late to enjoy the wonders of the late 70’s and early 80’s (that and the fact that I born in a country that was under a dictatorship during that time, but I digress)

Harold Allen Ramis was born in November 21, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Ruth and Nathan Ramis, a Jewish couple that had a grocery store and raised him as a Jew, although he never practiced any religion in his adult life.

During his childhood and adolescence he studied in public schools and he graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1966, where he embraced the rebel contra-culture of the 60’s writing satirical plays that would lead him to become editor from the legendary National Lampoon Magazine and their subsequent radio show spin-off and movies.

The success of the Magazine opened the door to new opportunities as a screenplay writer and Hollywood actor, writing and starring the successful Ghostbusters franchise, directing the cult classics Caddyshack and Groundhog Day (that was the first Ramis film that I saw)

Recognized by his writing skills, Ramis works frequently attacked the smugness of the upper class and bigotry through pep talks and clever observations.  His work in movies has been praised for his speed and energy mixed with subtle social commentary about the elitism of American society.

For example, a film like National Lampoon’s Animal House shows an accurate depiction of the rebellion of the students during that time. It’s a story about a fraternity who gets constantly marginalized both from the faculty as from the other students due his rebel behavior and rejection of the close-minded life of the institution.

They may have no specific ideals but they’re aware of the hostile environment surrounding them. But instead of follow the mentality of the group they decide to live as they wish. It doesn’t talk about the consequences of their acts; it just shows the over-the-top extremes from both sides and leave the message of the importance of be an individual.

And I wish to talk about more of this wonderful man, but I haven’t seen enough film yet. My point is that the few works I have seen from him are solid, clever and, of course funny as hell. And because of that, he earned this post and maybe more in the future. So I salute you Harold Ramis, rest in peace, go to heaven and eat God for Breakfast. Good Night everybody.