For those of us natural-born slackers of a certain age, Harold Ramis – comic, writer, actor and director – gloriously chronicled the path of least resistance that we follow so compulsively.
Ramis, of course, had a tremendously successful career, but he never lost touch with slobs, ne’er-do-wells, goof-offs and underachievers of all kinds, and he made them loveable, sympathetic characters – often played by co-conspirator Bill Murray – in his hugely popular movies.
So what more could we could offer in honor of his passing – one last really futile and stupid gesture – except to feature a collection of his most absurd movie vehicles here on a Fun Trucks Friday.
The movie: Stripes (1981)
Harold’s contribution: Writer, actor
The vehicle: The EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle
The truth: Mid-70s GMC motorhome
Slacker mantra: “There is one thing that we all have in common. We were all stupid enough to enlist in the army.”
This clip: The EM-50 is unveiled to snickers from the troops. That’s Harold as Russell Ziskey reading the instruction manual at the end of the clip.
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The movie: Animal House (1978)
Harold’s contribution: Writer
The vehicle: Delta Tau Chi Deathmobile
The truth: 1964 Lincoln Continental. Movie/auto nerds might recall that the movie is set in in 1962. Though a model year ’63 might have gotten a pass, the ’64 got caught because of the chrome rocker panel, apparently.
Slacker mantra: “Seven years of college down the drain.”
This clip: The Deathmobile pops out of a cake and goes on a rampage during the Faber College Homecoming Parade. (You might turn down the computer speaker if you’re work, or off, if certain language offends you.)
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The movie: Ghostbusters (1984)
Harold’s contribution: Writer, actor
The vehicle: Ecto-1 Ectomobile
The truth: 1959 Cadillac professional chassis, ambulance/hearse combination
Slacker mantra: “I make it a rule never to get involved with possessed people. … Actually, it’s more of a guideline than a rule.”
This clip: Dan Akroyd delivers the Caddy, pre-conversion, and goes over “a few little things” it needs to have repaired.
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The movie: National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983)
Harold’s contribution: Director, actor
The vehicle: Wagon Queen Family Truckster
The truth: Ford LTD Country Squire Wagon, with over-the-top restyling touches by George Barris of Batmobile fame. (Although, really, the trim is only slightly more outrageous than a stock showroom model station wagon from the 70s.)
Slacker mantra: “Clark, what are you doing?”
This clip: Clark misses a turn and tests the Truckster’s off-road capabilities.
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The movie: Groundhog Day (1993)
Harold’s contribution: Writer, producer, director, actor
The vehicle: 1971 Chevrolet C-10 Cheyenne with a groundhog at the wheel
The truth: 1971 Chevrolet C-10 Cheyenne
Slacker mantra: “La fille que j’aimera. Sera comme bon vin. Qui se bonifiera. Un peu chaque matin.”
This clip: Hoping that taking out the groundhog might prevent another Groundhog Day repeat, Phil (Murray) the trapped weatherman tests the hypothesis. Can a groundhog fly? Yes! Briefly. Don’t drive angry.
