Encore's Greatest Voices: The Top Ten (Shamelessly Overdue)

Further proof that I’m especially unreliable; I posted the last entry of Encore’s Greatest Voices in August. It’s now December and I’ve yet to give you the top 10 – until now. Excuse my general capriciousness, but here are the top 10 – finally.

#10: Susan Sarandon in James & Giant Peach
as Miss Spider

“Centipede I do not know whether to kill you or kiss you.”

There was something a little off about Susan Sarandon in Enchanted, and I still can’t put my house on it. She has a silky voice that has the potential to be unsettling, so perhaps it was the obvious villainy of her character that didn’t quite work. However, in James & the Giant Peach she uses her voice to create a character that may be evil, and then again might not be. There something especially exotic about her Miss Spider and she emerges from a varied cast of hilarious misfits as the most interesting.

                                            

#9: George Sanders in The Jungle Book
as Shere Khan

“Is it possible that you don't know who I am?”

If Addison DeWitt is proof of anything it’s that George Sanders can be unctuous and still appealing, and that’s essentially what Shere Khan is. There’s something chilling and yet alluring about his baritone voice, and his penchant for elongating vowels is just hilarious (but still disturbing). Shere Khan is not exactly the most rounded character, and he’s probably not the most interesting character in The Jungle Book, but Sanders voicework is still amazing.

                             

#8: Meryl Streep in The Fantastic Mr. Fox
as Mrs. Fox

“If what I think is happening is happening – it better not me.”

Ah, Streep. Yeah, I don’t go crazy over her every move like this guy (or this one) – or anyone really, but when she lands it – she’s phenomenal. Really, if I used to count animated performances eligible she’d have made my top 3 last year for Best Actress. There’s just something especially charming, witty and downright irresistible.

                          

#7: Eleanor Audley in Sleeping Beauty
as Maleficent

“Well, quite a glittering assemblage King Stefan. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and... oh, how quaint - even the rabble.”

In the face of Disney’s numerous villains I’m always surprised that Audley’s Maleficent is not remembered more often. Visually, she’s the most memorable to me and I have a slight hunch that every female animated villain uses her voice-work as a paradigm for their performances.

                               

#6: Pat Carroll in The Little Mermaid
as Ursula

“Come in. Come in, my child. We mustn't lurk in doorways. It's rude. One might question your upbringing.”

Ursula is especially quotable, and especially frightening too; but she’s still also much fun. She’s still sort of pathetic in her own way, and Carroll milks it for all the delicious campiness it’s worth. A few call it their favourite, and I can’t fault them – she’s phenomenal.

                                 

#5: Robin Williams in Aladdin
as Genie

“You ain't never had a friend like me!”

Williams’ over-the-top, bipolar craziness works perfectly for the role. His name is not the in the film’s title, but the Genie’s hilarious nature is one of the most significant things about Aladdin. It takes the role of the chatty sidekick to another level and gives Williams a chance to use his voice-impersonations without being gratuitous.

                           

#4: Ellen DeGeneres in Finding Nemo
as Dory

“I don't know where I am... I don't know what's going on. I think I lost somebody but I, I can't remember... and I can't remember... ”

I always wish that Ellen would do more movies. Her off-kilter humorousness is a specific charm of hers, and like most comedians it’s found in her voice. Is Finding Nemo Pixar’s masterpiece? Maybe, though I don’t especially go crazy over it. But DeGeneres’ charm is irresistible, and she easily emerges as not only the greatest Pixar creation, character wise, but the greatest Pixar actor, voice wise.

                                

#3: Susan Egan in Hercules
as Megara

“I'm a big tough girl. I tie my own sandals and everything.”

I really can’t account for how often Hercules is forgotten when one remembers Disney’s animation from the nineties and beyond. Perhaps, it’s the fact that the story has been told so often – but really, that logic seems a bit flawed – so I can’t be certain. Still, Egan’s Megan – a damsel in distress, who’s not quite a damsel but certainly is in distress, is a joy to watch/listen to. Her voice is just an octave lower than the typical Disney heroine, and with her questionable past she’s not a typical one really. It’s a shame she only gets one number, but she sells the dialogue just as wonderfully to.

#2: Helena Bonham Carter in Corpse Bride
as The Corpse Bride

“Isn't the view beautiful? It takes my breath away. Well, it would if I had any.”

I shall forever champion the brilliance that is Corpse Bride, it’s remembered for its visual brilliance, sometimes for its music but rarely for its acting which is top notch. It also happens to be my favourite HBC performance in a Burton film, which is not quite the backhanded compliment it sounds like considering some of the good things they’ve done together.

#1: Jeremy Irons in The Lion King
as Scar

“I’m surrounded by idiots.”

Predictable? Perhaps, but can you really blame me? Scar is the ultimate bad-guy, and perhaps it’s because I’m a stealth baddie myself (possible), but I find him too be – arguably – the most sympathetic character of the film. There’s just something poignant (even if in a clichéd way) about being the forgotten child, the eternal bridesmaid, and what not. And I’m damned if he doesn’t make even the most rote of lines resonate. (“I killed Mufasa, anyone?) So, Irons takes the crown for Encore’s Greatest Voice.

                              

So, now that I've finally revealed the list, which voices would rank at the top of your imaginary list of Greatest Voices?

PREVIOUSLY

#11-#20

#21-#30

#31-40

#41-#50

Films with Multiple Mentions:

Aladdin (4): Linda Larkin (#32), Jonathan Freeman (#21), Scott Weinger (#20), Robin Williams (#5)

Beauty & the Beast (4): Angela Lansbury (#33), Robby Benson (#25), Richard White (#18), Paige O'Hara (#16)

The Lion King (3): James Earle Jones (#31), Robert Guillame (#23), Jeremy Irons (#1)

The Little Mermaid (3): Jodi Benson (#37), Samuel E. Wright (#13), Pat Carroll (#6) 

Hercules (3): Lilias White &co. (#22), James Woods (#15), Susan Egan (#3)

James & the Giant Peach (3): Richard Dreyfuss (#24), Simon Callow (#14), Susan Sarandon (#10)

Corpse Bride (2): Johnny Depp (#27), Helena Bonham Carter (#2)

The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2): Jason Schwartzman (#11), Meryl Streep (#8)

The Jungle Book (2): Phil Harris (#39), George Sanders (#9)

Sleeping Beauty (2): Barbara Luddy (#40), Eleanor Audley (#7)

Wallace & Grommit: Curse of the Were Rabbit (2): Ralph Fiennes (#46), Helena Bonham Carter (#35)

                         

Actors with Multiple Mentions:

Eleanor Audley: Cinderella (#42), Sleeping Beauty (#7)

Helena Bonham Carter: Wallace & Grommit: Curse of the Were Rabbit (#35), Corpse Bride (#2)

Glenn Close: Tarzan (#47), Hoodwinked (#34)

Robin Williams: Happy Feet (#44), Aladdin (#5)

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?

                  

PREVIOUSLY

#21-#30

#31-#40

#41#50 

Encore’s Greatest Voices: #30-#21

The countdown continues as we near the top, I feel slightly bad that so many films have repeat entries. Then again, I can't blame myself because they're that good.

#30: Chris Sarandon in The Nightmare Before Christmas

as Jack Skellington

“Forgive me, Mr. Claus. I'm afraid I've made a terrible mess of your holiday. ”

Though I wouldn’t swear that The Nightmare Before Christmas is unparalleled excellence, it is a thoroughly enjoyable film and Sarandon’s protagonist is a significant portion of that. He is funny and endearing, yet maintaining his oddball status.

         

#29: Teri Hatcher in Coraline

as The Other Mother (and the Real Mother)

“Don't leave me! Don't leave me! I'll die without you! ”

Teri Hatch…loved her in Lois & Clark, liked her on Desperate Housewives until she turned into the hot mess that is now Susan. She’s not given credit (we don’t really get to see her stretch her legs), but her incarnation of Coraline’s mother and the Other Mother (a.k.a The Beldam) was a brilliant take on a potentially stereotypical villain. Coraline was my favourite animated film last year, and though Fanning’s work as the eponymous heroine was on point it was Hatcher’s layered and terrifying work that stuck with me for weeks after.

#28: Miriam Margolyes in Babe

as Fly

“But you're treating them like equals. They're sheep, they're inferior. ”

I’m sorry I couldn’t get a spot for Babe, but consider this a tribute to all the actors there. Babe is just too sweet for words, and Margolyes no-nonsense Fly is an excellent surrogate mother to the orphan pig. She’s stern, but not unloving and she does so well weighing her dedication to her husband against her that of her husband.

        

#27: Johnny Depp in Corpse Bride

as Victor Van Dort

“Please, there's been a mistake. I'm not dead. ”

At the moment people seem less than enthused about Depp and Burton, no point in dredging up that argument – but I do love Depp’s work as the reticent would-be groom of the eponymous corpse. It’s voicework that’s sometimes forgotten (very subtle) but I think it’s excellent, nonetheless.

       

#26: Joan Cusack in Toy Story II

as Jessie

“Well aren't you just the sweetest space toy I ever did meet! ”

Cusack always was the best thing about the Toy Story franchise, for me. Always a brilliant character actress, her take on the spirited cowgirl in the series was a thing of delight. She knew just how to get on our nerves without being overbearing.

     

#25: Robby Benson in Beauty & the Beast

as The Beast

“I thought I told you to come down to dinner!”

This is one that’s often forgotten. Beneath the animalistic growl Benson is doing excellent work portraying emotions in the Beast that are bubbling below the surface. His petulance, his nervousness, his ferocity – it’s all done as much through the animation as through the voicework making him just as interesting and as rounded a character as Belle.

     

#24: Richard Dreyfuss in James & the Giant Peach

as The Centipede

“Why don't skeletons play music in church? Because they got no organs.”

James & the Giant Peach features one of the strongest animated ensembles, and Dreyfuss' corny centipede is a big part of that.

      

#23: Robert Guillaume as The Lion King

as Rafiki

“Correction: I *know* your father..”

The Lion King is such an excellent film, when it’s time for laughs talk often turns to Timon and Pumba (admittedly good), but for me it’s always Guillaume’s hilarious Rafiki that does all the heavy lifting. He pops in and out (and in again) for a few short moments, but his voicework takes the film to another level. He is simultaneously annoying, perverse, wise and exasperating. Yes, we know these are animals, but we fee like we know this strange monkey.

    

#22: Lillias White, La Chanze, Vaneese Y. Thomas, Cheryl Freeman and Roz Ryan in Hercules

As The Muses (Calliope, Terpsichore, Clio, Melpomene and Thalia

“…And that’s the Gospel Truth.”

I debated whether or not to single them out, but it didn’t make sense. The Muses are all part of the same entity. Voice by a quintet of Broadway voices they’re responsible for the narration of this underrated piece. From Ryan’s spunky soul sister to White's sophisticated headliner they all work in tandem to create some of the most entertaining Disney characters.

#21: Jonathan Freeman in Aladdin

as Jafar

“You're speechless, I see. A fine quality in a wife.”

It’s probably difficult to craft a villain unlike anything we’ve seen, and all Disney villains do have that sombre voice in common. But Freeman does his own things with Jafar. He's slimy and he's almost offensive, but he sure is fun to watch.

      

Only two more rounds left? Do you have particular fondness for any of these?

PREVIOUSLY:

#50 - #41
#40 - #31

Encore’s Greatest Voices: #40-#31

So many of you made guesses as to who you expect to see in the countdown to my favourite voice performances when I listed the first batch of ten. I will say, a number of you were on point, but I'm not giving away any. Here are the next ten voice performers that stick in my memory. Even though I love making lists I do find it difficult ranking them though, really sometimes I think voice acting is more difficult. You really have to sell it, or else you're forgettable.

            

#40: Barbara Luddy in Sleeping Beauty

as Merryweather

“I'd like to turn her into a fat ol' hop toad.”

She will always be the best of the godmothers, and though they do come in three she stands out from the rest. Her voice is the only one I remember without rewatching, and she’s just so fun and funny with those line readings. It's nice performances like these that make me a little sad, voice actors don't have faces so unless they're NAMES we forget them.

               

#39: Phil Harris in The Jungle Book

as Baloo

 

“You better believe it.”

The Jungle Book doesn’t exactly thrill me (I have a soft spot for the live action version, oddly) but who can resist the jovial singing bear? Mowgli is an unassuming (dare I say, boring) hero but his sidekicks are amusing.

          

#38: Catherine O’Hara in Where the Wild Things Are

as Judith

 

“Happiness isn't always the best way to be happy.”

She singlehandedly makes the movie hers and she becomes the wild thing that’s not only wildest but most interesting. I did not love the film, but it was beautifully rendered and the wild things were a deligh - Catherine more than any.

          

#37: Jodi Benson in The Little Mermaid

as Ariel

“I love you, Daddy.”

She’s easy to forget…the supporting players are quite fun, but Benson is doing a good job here. The naïveté, the subtle bits of innocence and bravery; she’s doing her very best to make this animated caricature into a full blooded character and she succeeds…on so many counts.

                      

#36: Janet Gabor in The Aristocrats

as Duchess

“Oh, c'est très jolie, monsieur. Very poetic. But it is not quite Shakespeare.”

This is a forgotten Disney gem which I grew up with, so I have soft spot for it. Harris puts up a good showing as the tomcat in the show, but it’s Gabor’s sultry Queenie who leaves the mark. It’s a slight film, and the anamorphic characters don’t have anything new to tell us but Gabor is like Grace Kelly, as a cat.

         

#35: Helena Bonham Carter in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit

as Lady Campanula Tottington

“Please, Wallace, call me 'Totty'.”

The more I think of it, the more I wonder why I don’t like this film. Perhaps, claymation just doesn’t do it for me. Still, the voicework is on par and among her many assets I’ve always love HBC’s voice the most, so expressive.

             

#34: Glenn Close in Hoodwinked

as Granny

“Bring it honey!”

You probably didn’t see this one coming. I can’t blame you. I liked Hoodwinked; a well intentioned and oddly smart animated flick that was poorly received. Glenn doesn’t get enough credit for her voice, but when you can’t see her you realise just how much she uses. This take on the “new” grandmother is inspired and hilarious and extraordinarily nuanced.

         

#33: Angela Lansbury in Beauty & the Beast

as Mrs. Potts

 

“Well, that didn't go very well at all, did it?”

Few voices are as diffidently calming and yet surprisingly funny as Lansbury here. :umiere and Cogsworth are the utensils most remembered (no, they are not on the list) but it’s Angela’s voice that shines through – heartfelt, sincere and yet irresolute when necessary.

        

#32: Linda Larkin in Aladdin

as Jasmine

“I am not a prize to be won!”

My, oh my. Can anyone resist Jasmine? I have a thing for Disney’s sultry voiced characters (you shall see later) and Jasmine is an excellent characterisation by [ ]. Sure, the film is not centred on her – but she’ll make you forget with every voice inflection and every subtle line reading (remember Evil Jasmine?)

#31: James Earle Jones in The Lion King

as Mufasa

“Simba, I'm very disappointed in you!”

Oh man, this man has a VOICE!!! Who doesn’t shudder when they hear him? Jones is an icon – plain and simple, and his work as Mufasa is just superb. With just a voice he embodies all we could hope for in the steadfast and devoted father.

         

Aha, and there goes round two. How are you liking the choices so far?

Encore’s Greatest Voices: #50 - #41

The title may be a bit misleading, so I’ll explain. A few weeks ago Heather of Movie Mobsters wrapped up her excellent feature counting down the fifty screen villains she considered most dastardly. She did them in bouts of them until the final leg. The blogosphere is the only place where unoriginality isn’t reviled so I’m making my own list of 50, but not of villains and not exactly the best voices actors. I always wonder if voice-work alone will ever be able to constitute an Academy Award nomination…probably not. Herein I’ll be counting down the fifty voice performances that have impressed me the most over the years. Essentially it’s all animated (save for three live-action films, which we’ll get to). Now obviously this list is as subjective as can be, so I’ll depending on you to weigh in and tell me how off the beam some of my choices are.

                  

#50: Sacha Baron Cohen in Madagascar

as King Julian

“I like to move it, move it.”

I can’t confess any significant appreciation for Madagascar which is one of those implausibly successful children’s films that does little for me. In the midst of the most uninspired voice work and a turgid story Cohen’s insane King Julian was a delight. Cohen is known for his physical humour but he knows something about using his voice to full effect (see Pirelli) and his voice-work is easily the standout of the film.

              

#49: Joanne Woodward in The Age of Innocence

as The Narrator

“It invariably happened, as everything happened in those days, in the same way.”

Unlike many narrators, Joanne Woodward’s “character” is not a part of the film. She uses her voice only to give us little musings on New York society at the turn of the century. She is wry, she is affable and she is charming...really, she's almost a character herself.

              

#48: Woody Allen in Antz

as Z

 

“Actually, I generally just make belittling comments and snicker behind death's back.”

Woody Allen isn't noted for his voice and Antz is one of those animated films that has become easily forgotten. Still, Allen's dubious protagonist who (surprise, surprise) is just the slightest bit of a neurotic is an interesting change of pace for the icon.

                        

#47: Glenn Close in Tarzan

as Kala

“And you will always be in my heart."

I'm not overly fond of Tarzan, it's really all been-there-done-that (and better), but Glenn Close's performance as the maternal Kala is a brilliant piece of voicework. Yes, she's given a number of overly sentimental lines (see above), but she makes them work and finds the sincerity in this slightly convoluted (albeit, diverting) film.

                           

#46: Ralph Fiennes in Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were Rabbit

as Lord Victor Quartermaine

 

“You can hop, but you can't hide!”

When it comes to Ralph Fiennes talents, I remember him for his ability to act without using his voice. In that way he seems like an unlikely candidate for voicework, and I don't even like Wallace & Gromit. Yet, Fiennes carves a delightful stodgy villain (or should that be moulds) and provides the film with a good deal of laughs.

                 

#45: Eddie Murphy in Mulan

As Mushu

 

“Hey! Dragon. *Dragon*, not lizard. I don't do that tongue thing.”

Eddie Murphy’s brand of, usually, broad humour is hit-and-miss for me, but like so many great comedians his knack for using his voice proved invaluable to success of Mulan. Mulan is another Disney flick of the late nineties that’s become somewhat forgotten, but it was an entertaining (if inaccurate) romp through history. As Mishu Murphy was the perfect sidekick.

           

#44: Robin Williams in Happy Feet

As Ramón

“Just a moment. I hear people wanting something... ME!”

Really...what is there to be said? Williams has a talent for adept voicework and Ramón in Happy Feet is over the top, he is theatrical and he is everything that Williams can do, excellently. It's ridiculous, but it is still enticing. And those line readings!

                    

#43: Mike Myers in Shrek

as Shrek

“Donkey, two things okay? Shut... up.”
Shrek has reached a dismal end, and many forget the slice of delight it was back in 2001. I’ll admit, after the sequel, things headed down but Myers’ ogre was an amusing hero and Myers was able to bring the funny without going overboard. With an accent like that, it could not have been difficult but he kept Shrek realistic, but unbelievable at the same time.

#42:Eleanor Audley in Cinderella

as Lady Tremaine

 

“Above all, self-control.”

Incidentally Cinderella is often forgotten - part of that must be attributed to its mostly forgettable score. Still, within everything Audley gives a thoroughly chilling performance as the Step Mother. She's so scary because she's always so calm and her voice is just scary.

                 

#41: Peter Ustinov in Robin Hood

as King John (and King Richard)

“Mother... Mother always did like Richard best.”

Sure, this version is not Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland classic (or Men In Tights) but it's a diverting Disney romp and Ustinov's double role is a big part of that. Of course, it's the villianous John who gets those delicious one-liners and is responsible for showcasing Ustinov's talent. What is with villains?

              

There! The first round on the count to the top of memorable voice performances. What do you think of the first ten?