25 Things You Didn't Know About Ghostbusters

24. Gozer's Very British Origin

Ghostbusters 1984
Columbia Pictures

According to Aykroyd, the inspiration for Gozer has its origins not in some obscure occult text, but in an incredibly famous British haunting, known as the Enfield haunting of 1977.

During the haunting, real-life Ghostbuster Annie Shaw was brought in to investigate the supposed manifestations at 284 Green Street. In doing so, Shaw is said to have entered a trance like state and begun to moan, "Gozer, Gozer, help me." After recovering, she explained that the Gozer she had been referring to was a user of black magic that had been causing all of the problems in the London council house.

Although it's never been said, it's quite fun to think that this Gozer could be another incarnation of our beloved Ghostbusters villain, only this time, instead of destroying New York City, it chose a small North London suburb. Well, you've got to start somewhere, right?

Contributor
Contributor

Master of Quack-Fu. Fishfinger Sandwich aficionado. Troll Hunter.