The Violinist[1] (also called The Stiff by Peter) is a violinist who plays in the orchestra with Dana Barrett. He happens to be one of the finest musicians in the world, according to Dana, and doesn't like guest conductors.
History[]
Primary Canon[]
After a rehearsal at the Lincoln Center, the Violinist and Dana discussed their reservations about the guest conductor as they walked by the fountains outside. The Violinist commented he was not competent to conduct a major symphony orchestra. Dana saw Peter and asked the Violinist to wait. He agreed and sat down by the center fountain. The Violinist inserted some nasal spray in each nostril. Peter asked who the stiff was. She pressed him for information on her case Once the discussion was over, he asked who Peter was. Peter acknowledged him.
Dana replied he was just a friend. The Violinist wasn't buying it. Dana clarified he was an old friend. As the Violinist and Dana walked away, Peter jokingly shouted after them that he was sorry he didn't get to meet the Violinist, and that was glad he was feeling better in spite of looking pale (the Violinist appeared to have a cold, as he was using a nasal inhaler as he talked with Dana). He turned to Dana and asked who Peter was and she only replied he was a scientist.
Secondary Canon[]
The Violinist was seen walking past Delgado's Gym just as Egon Spengler exited the establishment. During the end of the summer, he attended the charity performance of "Don Giovanni" at the Lincoln Center.
Personality[]
He is often referred as The Stiff due to Dr. Venkman calling him that to Dana. While he does give off an air of stuffy pretentiousness, his part was so brief no personality traits could really be observed. Dana does seem to respect him, at least as a professional musician.
Trivia[]
- In the October 7, 1983 draft of the first movie, pages 45-47, the Lincoln Center scene and the Violinist appears for the first time in a draft. Dana tells the Violinist that Peter is an old professor of hers and is smarter than he looks whereas in the movie, she tells him Peter is an old friend and a scientist
- In the Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular, the Violinist's name is Andre Wallance. [2]
- At around the 51:10 mark of the Preview Cut, included first in the 2022 Ghostbusters Ultimate Edition, after Dana calls the Violinist of the finest musicians in the world, Peter asks if he is dying or something. She refers to the Violinist as a close friend. After Peter remarks the Violinist looks pale, he suggests a vacation to someplace nice like the Sandwich Islands.
- It has been speculated that the Violinist is the father of Oscar:
- Sigourney Weaver, on the June 14, 1989 episode of "The Arsenio Hall Show" recalled she thought the father was the Violinist.[3]
- Joe Medjuck and Ivan Reitman, on the 1999 Ghostbusters DVD commentary track, both state that Oscar's father is the Violinist.[4][5]
- However, in July 2016, Ivan Reitman changed his opinion to Oscar's father probably being Peter.[6]
Appearances[]
Primary Canon[]
- Ghostbusters
- Ghostbusters II
- Chapter 05: "Investigating Oscar"
- Implicitly Mentioned
- Chapter 05: "Investigating Oscar"
Secondary Canon[]
References[]
- ↑ End Credits - Cast
- ↑ Mueller, Richard (August 1985). Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular, p. 125. Tor Books, New York NY USA, ISBN 0812585984. Paragraph reads: "Dana Barrett had that pleasantly weary lightness that comes with having put in a good rehearsal, and was only half-listening as Andre Wallance walked her out to the plaza. Wallance, a world-renowned violinist, was doing a series of guest performances with the orchestra and had taken an interest in her career, though Dana suspected that his interest was not entirely musical."
- ↑ Recording of The Arsenio Hall Show 6/14/1989, Sigourney Weaver, 2:04-2:18Sigourney Weaver says: "And I've, um, actually all the characters five years later have sort of been down and out a little bit and, um, I've gotten married, I think, to the guy who used the nose spray in the first Ghostbusters and it didn't work out and so I got a divorce but I have this little baby."
- ↑ Joe Medjuck (2005). Ghostbusters- Commentary (2005) (DVD ts. 43:10-43:19). Columbia TriStar Home Video. Joe Medjuck says: "I've always presumed this is who Sigourney married - when she has a child in the second one. The Violinist. "
- ↑ Ivan Reitman (2005). Ghostbusters- Commentary (2005) (DVD ts. 43:15-43:19). Columbia TriStar Home Video. Ivan Reitman says: "Yes, yes, the Violinist. "
- ↑ Rolling Stone "Ivan Reitman: Why We're Still Talking About 'Ghostbusters' 30 Years Later" 7/6/16 "Ivan Reitman says: "I loved the sequences between Sigourney Weaver and Bill Murray and what's probably their baby, Oscar, although it's not made clear in the screenplay."
Gallery[]
Overall[]
Primary Canon[]
Secondary Canon[]
