Remembering Harold Ramis

The comedy world lost a legend last week when Harold Ramis passed away at the age of 69.  Ramis was never an A-list celebrity, but that did not stop him from leaving his footprint as one of the most innovative comedians of all-time.  He was a pioneer who shaped comedy into what it is today.  Without Ramis, Bill Murray would not be the same cult hero.  The following are what I believe to be the quintessential movies of Ramis’s career.

Animal House

One cannot talk about Ramis’s legacy without mentioning Animal House.  The 1978 comedy classic was like nothing the world had seen before.  Now over 35 years old, Animal House is still beloved by college campuses everywhere.  Ramis co-wrote the film's screenplay with Douglas Kenny and Chris Miller.  Well ahead of its time, Animal House will forever rank in the highest echelon of comedy films.

Caddyshack

Ramis wrote the screenplay and made his directorial debut for 1980’s Caddyshack; turning a gentleman’s game into a zany and hilarious farce.  No other film features four comedic performances as great as the ones in Caddyshack.  Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Ted Knight combine to make every second a highlight.  Murray’s mission to rid the golf course of a pesky gopher is as unforgettable as Dangerfield’s eccentric millionaire persona.

National Lampoon’s Vacation

Ramis paired up with Chevy Chase again in 1983, using John Hughes’s screenplay to create National Lampoon’s Vacation.  A comedic portrait of the American family, there's something everyone can relate to in Vacation.  Chase is perfect casting for Clark Griswold, a wholesome father and loving husband who will do anything in his power to get his family to Wally World.  The film led to a number of sequels while solidifying Clark Griswold as the prototypical family man.

Ghostbusters

Grossing nearly $300 million worldwide, 1984’s Ghostbusters paved the way for modern comedy blockbusters.  Ramis co-wrote wrote and had a starring role in the film.  With an all-time great theme song and an outstanding lead performance from Bill Murray, Ghostbusters capitalized on its popularity with clothing, video games, and a sequel.  The production of a Ghostbusters 3 has been rumored for years, but looks less and less likely.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day’s high-concept story has been universally praised since the film hit was released in 1993.  Ramis co-wrote the screenplay and directed the film.  Bill Murray knocks it out of the park as weatherman Phil Connors, who experiences the same day over and over.  The premise is a perfect match for Bill Murray's dry and cynical sense of humor.  Ramis’s most thought-provoking effort, the film spurs moviegoers to examine their own lives and how they spend their days. 

Honorable Mentions: Meatballs (1979), Stripes (1981), Back To School (1984), Analyze This (1999), and this scene from Orange County (2002)