We’re back inside the Rose Main Reading Room of the New York Public Library as Ray Stantz and Peter Venkman enter the busy hall, continuing their conversation from outside. In response to Venkman’s question, Stantz responds…
Stantz: “Of course you forget, Peter, I was present at an undersea, unexplained, mass sponge migration.”
The mind boggles. It’s another line of joyfully quirky dialogue from Ray. Dan Ackroyd’s delivery has a childlike quality to it. He’s like an excited kid at Christmas – perfect breeding ground for Bill Murray’s sarcastic cynicism.
Venkman: “Ooh, Ray, those sponges migrated about a foot and a half.”
In the foreground, sitting cross-legged on the library floor next to a table, we see the bespectacled figure of Dr. Egon Spengler at work with some kind of listening device. Venkman notices Spengler and quickly creeps up behind to where he’s sat. Venkman grabs a heavy book and starts making moaning-groaning noises that sound likes he’s saying “Egon“. At the same time, he drums with his knuckles on the wooden table. We cut to a close-up of Spengler’s (Harold Ramis) face looking alarmed, tricked into thinking he’s made a discovery. Then suddenly, Venkman slams the book down hard on the table top, causing a jump-scare for Spengler as the noise overloads his ears. Venkman enjoys taunting people. It’s his only amusement amid the ridiculous pursuits he finds himself caught up in.
There’s a quick cut to a shot of the library administrator (John Rothman) and another man, who are distracted by Venkman’s noise. Of course, the library administrator will be part-responsible for the continued observation of quiet inside the study area of the library. Venkman’s disruption will be bothersome.
The camera cuts back to Egon Spengler as he quickly gathers himself. Standing up, joined by Ray Stantz the three men begin to walk and talk. Spengler says to Venkman…
Spengler: “Oh, you’re here.”
Venkman: “Yeah, what have you got?”
Spengler: “This is big, Peter. This is very big. There is definitely something here.”
It’s hard to see why Stantz and Spengler would be so anxious for Venkman to be present. Are they so caught up in their work that they’ve failed to notice his utter apathy? Maybe his apathy is why they want him present? Maybe, they’re so convinced of a paranormal encounter, that they want the most hardened sceptic present, to confirm the reality of what they think they will find. This is their chance to finally win him over.
It’s immediately noticeable that Spengler’s character is vastly different to Ray Stantz. He’s much more focused and matter-of-fact, to the point that he’s seemingly oblivious to Venkman’s practical joke. He just stands up and starts talking without the faintest recognition of anger or amusement at Venkman’s trick. Venkman’s mocking continues…
Venkman: “Egon, this reminds me of the time you tried to drill a hole through your head. You remember that?”
As he speaks, Venkman touches his temple in recollection, amused by the memory. Spengler responds in a straight tone, pointing a finger toward Venkman…
Spengler: “That would have worked if you hadn’t stopped me.”
It’s a very funny exchange between the two, and quickly establishes Spengler as the serious thinker of the group. He’s seemingly impervious the Venkman’s jibes, or possibly, he’s so used to them, that he’s stopped acknowledging them. From a comedy angle, it plays as dry-on-dry banter, which makes for another fun nuance between the three men.
Words by Gareth Rhodes.
Ghostbusters: Scene by Scene 