I’m a huge Harold Ramis fan, from his big roles like Ghostbusters to his smaller ones in Knocked Up and Groundhog Day. So I decided to root through some of the lines he is most famous for (in my mind) and post them.
#5 Knocked Up (2007): In a small role as Ben’s dad, I thought he was excellent. It makes me wish his scenes weren’t cut from High Fidelity, in which he was also supposed to play the main character’s father.
Ben’s Dad: Life doesn’t care about your vision. You just gotta roll with it.
#4 Stripes (1981): I think I love this one because I am a teacher and this reminds me of the way my job feels sometimes.
[when Russell is teaching English class]
Russell Ziskey: Okay, I know you’re anxious to jump right in and start speaking English, but there’s a couple of things I need to know first, because I’ve never done this before. So, how many of you would say you speak English fairly well, but with some difficulties?
[pause]
Russell Ziskey: A little English?
[a man raises his hand]
Russell Ziskey: Yes? You speak some English?
Man learning English: Son of bitch. Shit.
Class: [in unison] Son of bitch. Shit.
#3 Ghostbusters II (1989): This one explains his character in a short statement.
Dr. Egon Spengler: We had part of a Slinky. But I straightened it.
#2 Ghostbusters (1984): Then there’s the classic moment at the end of the movie.
Dr. Egon Spengler: There’s something very important I forgot to tell you.
Dr. Peter Venkman: What?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Don’t cross the streams.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Why?
Dr. Egon Spengler: It would be bad.
Dr. Peter Venkman: I’m fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, “bad”?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Dr Ray Stantz: Total protonic reversal.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Right. That’s bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.
#1 Ghostbusters (1984): I can’t possibly do a list like this and not include his comparison between ghost activity and a favorite snack treat.
Dr. Egon Spengler: Well, let’s say this Twinkie represents the normal amount of psychokinetic energy in the New York area. Based on this morning’s sample, it would be a Twinkie… thirty-five feet long, weighing approximately six hundred pounds.
Honorable Mention: Ghostbusters (1984): This one shows how ahead of the times his character was, considering how much technology has changed since 1984.
Janine Melnitz: You’re very handy, I can tell. I bet you like to read a lot, too.
Dr. Egon Spengler: Print is dead.
Did I miss any great ones? Let us know in the comments!