Encore’s Greatest Voices: #20-#11

I was supposed to get this up weeks ago, but apparently I'm flaky and not to be trusted. This is the penultimate post so I'm really interested in what you folks think of my top choices. Obviously, I think a lot of them...

#20: Scott Weinger in Aladdin
as Aladdin

“I'm not worthless! And I don't have fleas!”

He doesn’t have many big moments, and true – Aladdin may not be the most layered character (though by Disney standards he is quite nuanced), but Weinger’s affable charm, voice-wise, is a big reason for the easiness with which the film flows.

        
#19: Kathleen Turner in Who Framed Roger Robbit
as Jessica Rabbit

“I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.”

I think I need to rewatch this because I don’t LOVE it as much as I think I should…but either way Kathleen Turner’s Jessica Rabbit is too good for words. She was popping up everywhere in the eighties (one solitary Oscar nomination be damned, boo) and this was a brilliant way to the end the decade…even if it was animated.

        
#18: Richard White in Beauty & the Beast
as Gaston

“Lefou, I'm afraid I've been thinking...”

His Gaston is one of Disney’s most interesting villains, but it’s fun to sit back and just enjoy him being a cad. His “let me through” in the opening number never fails to amuse. He’s just completely into the bravura and simultaneous stupidity of his character you can’t help but be interested. Even if you’re loathing him.

          
#17: Bernadette Peters in Anastasia
as Sophie

“Forget where your from; You're in France, Children Come”

This probably seems like a surprise. Anastasia is a fairly good animated film, but Bernadette’s almost cameo of the unbearably French (compliment) Sophie and her rendition of “Paris Holds the Key” is the film’s secret weapon. She’s always had a memorable voice (a normal sized, older Kristin Chenoweth) and she delivers the peppy character and essentially steals the show.

                           
#16: Paige O’Hara in Beauty & the Beast
as Belle

“Gaston, you are positively primeval.”

She has the perfect voice for the almost feminist Belle (a la Susan Egan). She’s soft and emotive but she’s also strong and hard as nails. She also gets extra points for being (probably) the best Disney heroine/princess.

             
#15: James Woods in Hercules
as Hades

“It's a small underworld, after all, huh?”

Another Disney villain, he is, but one that is often forgotten (just like his character). Hercules doesn’t get the credit it deserves for someone who’s essentially just a major asshole (as much as possible in a Disney film) Woods manages to make Hades ridiculously enjoyable. From the snappy one-liners to the deadpan line readings he sells it, completely.

                   
#14: Simon Callow in James & the Giant Peach
as The Grasshopper

“YOU, sir, are an ASS!”

Perfect in every way. He's a little uppity, but that's really his appeal and he just works so well with the dialogue.

         
#13: Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid
as Sebastian

“Who said anything about humans?”

Sebastian’s “Kiss the Girl” is the most scintillating number from the score, but Wright’s talent is in selling his dialogue. He’s the perfect (if reluctant) sidekick to our heroine and his relationship with Ariel and Triton present constant hilarity that is always well played.

                      
#12: Jennifer Saunders in Shrek II
as The Fairy Godmother

“C Minor; put it in C Minor.”

I consider Shree II to be just a smidgen worse than its predecessor (alas the same cannot be said for further instalments). Jennifer Saunders lascivious Godmother was an important part of that. From her wicked scheming ways to her occasional moment of odd hilarity she was the best in show – and what a show…

              
#11: Jason Schwartzman in The Fantastic Mr. Fox
as Ash

“There's a lot of attitudes going on around here... don't let me get one.”

In the larger scale he ends up becoming forgotten – because George Clooney is playing his father. But Schwartzman does something brilliant with Ash in The Fantastic Mr. Fox. It holds up as one of the funnier performances from the last year and definitely one of the most memorable voices for me.

             

Which of these ten was the surprising inclusion for you? Which was your favourite?

                  

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#21-#30

#31-#40

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