Dr. Raymond
Stantz
"It's always useful to have a mechanic
-- a nuts and bolts person" Said Harold Ramis.
"(Someone who is) honest, straight-ahead, enthusiastic. And
that really worked for Dan."
The
shooting script describes Ray: "He is Venkman's colleague
and best friend. A hard scientist with a good academic
background, Stantz is a maverick who genuinely loves a
challenge."
We get to
see a good side of Ray's personality throughout the film. He is
the balance between Venkman and Spengler that gives the movie an
edge. Stantz is the guy who explains things to us in the film so
we don't get lost. He is also a child at heart. We learn of Camp
Waconda, what Mr. Stay Puft means to him, his religious beliefs,
and the childhood home that his parents left him.