By Paul Freeman

With "Ghostbusters 2020" in pre-production, we thought it would be fun revisit our 1984 interview with Ivan Reitman, who was then excited about his latest directorial effort, the original "Ghostbusters."

Born in Slovakia, raised in Canada, Reitman became a Hollywood powerhouse in the 70s, when he produced "National Lampoon's Animal House." He went on to direct numerous comedy blockbusters, including "Meatballs," "Stripes," "Ghostbusters, "Twins," "Kindergarten Cop" and the Kevin Kline-starring "Dave."

Since the 90s, Reitman has devoted more time to producing than directing. His producing credits include the animated "Heavy Metal," as well as "Beethoven" and the Howard Stern movie "Private Parts." In 2009, he produced the Academy Award-nominated film, "Up in the Air," directed by his son, Jason Reitman.

"Comedy is not pretty," Steve Martin once said.

It can, however, be quite lucrative. Just ask Ivan Reitman.

He produced "National Lampoon's Animal House" and directed and co-wrote "Stripes" and "Meatballs." All three films generated massive amounts of laughter... and money.

Reitman is in New York to chat about the new $30 million comedy epic, "Ghostbusters," which he produced and directed.

The movie stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as semi-demented parapsychologists whose irregular methods cost them their research grant. They decide to become scientific entrepreneurs. To cash in on an epidemic of paranormal occurrences in New York City, they open "Ghostbusters" -- a spirit extermination operation.

The film, which also features Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis and Ernie Hudson, should be Reitman's biggest blockbuster yet. The combination of wacky shenanigans and wild special effects is irresistible. Reitman is definitely in tune with his audience.

"My sense of what's funny is in touch with what the public finds funny these days," Reitman tells Pop Culture Classics. "I'm very optimistic about 'Ghostbusters.' One must have great hope for one's children. You have to go into a project with a great deal of positive energy.

"When you're directing a comedy, you have to make sure you have a good script. And you must cast very well. Those are the two major things a director can do.

"Good scripts don't just happen. They require careful construction. 'Animal House' took three years and 12 drafts. 'Stripes' was written over two years and many drafts. 'Ghostbusters' developed quickly, but we still went through five or six drafts.

"Danny [Aykroyd] wrote the first draft himself. The core of the idea was wonderful, but he envisioned a multi-planet extravaganza. There were ghosts on every page. It was quite fantastic... too much so for my taste.

"I didn't want the movie to be dominated by the effects. I thought it should be approached as the story of three guys who go into business for themselves.

"I always tried to keep the comedy in mind first. To check on what we had, three weeks after we finished shooting, we ran a rough cut for an audience of about 300 people. I explained that this was a comedy and that the special effects hadn't been added yet. I asked them to use their imaginations. The film worked just great."

Reitman was comfortable with the cast. Aykroyd, Murray and Ramis were old pals of his. "They're very generous actors. They've all written, so they're used to giving their stuff to everybody."

Reitman, a Canadian citizen who resides in Los Angeles, knows exactly what he wants as repayment for his skills, insights and sense of humor: "I want to sit back and watch the response of the audience. I want to sweep them away, to know that they're enjoying a wonderful experience in the dark, because of something I gave them. That's the biggest thrill for a director."