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An "A" unit clapperboard with call sheet and promotional materials from Ivan Reitman's Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters was an immediate pop culture phenomenon upon release, becoming the then-highest-grossing comedy of all time. The film spawned an incredibly popular franchise spanning more than 40 years, including theatrical films, cartoons, books, comics, video games, action figures, and a breakfast cereal.
Ghostbuster's groundbreaking visual effects, achieved with a combination of live-action photography, puppetry, and model miniatures, were ultimately nominated for an Academy Award®. This extraordinarily rare "A" camera clapperboard, the only known surviving example from Ghostbusters, is coming to auction for the first time.
The wood camera clapperboard originates from the collection of first assistant camera Joseph E. Thibo. Labeled for camera "A," indicating use for primary footage rather than B-roll, the clapperboard features three sections: a striped slate on top; a middle section with take number "8" and scene number "X 157" handwritten in chalk, with "X" indicating use for an insert shot; and a bottom section applied with tape labels noting the film's title, director "Reitman," cinematographer "L. Kovacs" (for renowned cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs), and date "9.28.83" handwritten in ink. The tape labels indicate the first time this clapperboard was used during filming, while the chalk markings indicate the last time it was used during filming, as inserts were typically filming later in principal photography and in reshoots.
Also included are:
A call sheet dated for "Wednesday, 10/26/83."
A program containing the full cast and crew credits in addition to music.
A black-and-white Columbia Pictures crew photo.
An "American Cinematographer" magazine containing a featured story on Ghostbusters.
A Los Angeles Times newspaper cover headlined "Seems Like Old Times on New 'Ghostbusters' Set" dated "Wednesday, November 30, 1983."
A USA Today newspaper clipping titled "Reitman's magic touch will reunite 'Ghostbusters' gang."
This lot shows wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age, as well as faded chalk writing. Dimensions: (largest) 9.75" x 11" x 1" (24.5 cm x 28 cm x 2.5 cm)
Estimate: $20,000 - 40,000
View all lots from GHOSTBUSTERS (1984)
View all lots from Joseph E. Thibo Collection
Joseph E. Thibo is among Hollywood's most trusted camera operators. Beginning in the 1970s, when he received his first credits as an assistant cameraman on such Golden Age hits as Freebie and the Bean and Nickelodeon, Thibo's renown as a focus puller earned him roles working under legendary filmmakers including Martin Scorsese, John Carpenter, George Miller, and Tim Burton. Across more than three decades in the film industry, Thibo amassed an unparalleled string of credits, ranging from award-winning dramas (Star 80, Frances) to classic comedies (Ghostbusters, Jingle All the Way) to some of the planet's most popular four-quadrant blockbusters (Batman Forever, Mars Attacks!) Wisely, Thibo maintained an archive of personal memorabilia during his career, most centrally including a collection of extraordinarily rare and highly coveted clapperboards. Propstore is pleased to offer a selection of these clapperboards from the Joseph E. Thibo Collection to the public for the first time.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.