Dan Aykroyd’s dad Peter has a book out in time for Halloween called A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters. Dan and his dad Peter were on the Today Show this morning and discussed their family history as paranormal researchers. It seems to have started with Dan’s great grandfather, who was friends with a medium at the turn of the century and regularly conducted seances. They say all this in a very matter-of-fact way, and proclaim that they both believe in ghosts, having studied this issue extensively. I’m a non-believer but I found the discussion kind of fascinating anyway. One thing I learned is that Akyroyd’s dad Peter actually inspired the story of Ghostbusters!
Dan explained to Al Roker that he believes in ghosts, but that the book is less about spirits and more about “the empiricists who were studying ghosts at the turn of the century, [including] Arthur Conan Doyle and William James.” He said the “book presents a very balanced view of it and also exposes some of the hoaxes and charlatans that were at it at the turn of the century as well.”
Dan’s dad Peter said that he always believed in ghosts, and that he’s witnessed too many explainable things to discount. “You can’t deny what you see.”
They then showed three photos they claimed were real examples of spirits (below), but they looked entirely bogus to me. Dan said he thinks they’re authentic based on the integrity of the people who produced them, except for the booger one with the photos stuck in it, which he said was iffy.
As for the possibility of a Ghostbusters 3 – Dan said it was probably a go. “Two years ago I’d have to say no. Now it looks pretty good.”
The Today Show website has a segment from the book, and it focuses on Peter’s experience as a child sneaking around to watch his grandfather conduct a seance. Peter later discovers his grandfather’s diaries and personal correspondence while cleaning out his home after his death.
This is interesting and all, but as I said I’m a skeptic. If it leads to another Ghostbusters movie I’m all for it, though.
Thanks to Izzy for the tip!
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