But another entertainer can’t impersonate Robin Williams impersonating other entertainers. There’s an interesting gossipy story elsewhere about why he didn’t return for the first sequel, but the bottom line is Robin Williams can be immensely amusing impersonating other entertainers. The choice of voice was superb, brought a plant to (larger than) life and is hard to imagine bettered. Once the puny sprout grows to a massive man-eater, an expansive sound was needed and those responsible for finding it went outside the usual casting arena to Motown R&B group, the Four Tops.īaritone Levi Stubbs belts out the songs and the stinging nettle lines in one of the very few musicals I can watch and enjoy any time. When the 1960 Roger Corman B-for-barmy-movie was remade as a stage musical and later filmed, casting of Audrey II, the Mean Green Mother From Outer Space, must have been a challenge, to say the least. Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) Levi Stubbs as Audrey II These vocal qualities made him the ideal pick for unpredictable and deceptive Kaa the snake, as the raspy lisp sung “Trussst in me, jusssst in me.” It was a perfect pairing, far, far apart from Pooh. Holloway’s voice like a purring motor gave him a distinctive sound that was injected with squeaks and squeals like skidding tires when you least expected it. You will, however, certainly know the voice, as he was Winnie The Pooh for millions of visitors to Hundred Acre Wood. Sterling Holloway probably isn’t a household name in many parts, but you’d most likely know him if you saw him on late night repeats of Gilligan’s Island or F Troop. The Jungle Book (1967) Sterling Holloway as Kaa He doesn’t say more than a few words and exclamations, but as Don Knotts passed away the following year, it’s a poignant and fitting final big screen effort that will, hopefully, immortalise the great Don Knotts for this generation’s children and theirs.Īnd if it hasn’t, seek out his work for a bit of absolute pure fun on film to share with them. The actor’s willowy stature and shaky, unsure demeanour was honoured in a cartoon reflection of the man in his previous roles as Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show and film appearances as The Incredible Mr. I feel similarly (and, admittedly, sentimental) about Don Knotts in the small but perfectly tailored role of the nervous Mayor Turkey Lurkey. I only recently learned that Annie was Aniston and, credit to her, there’s not a sniff of Friends‘ Rachel in a single line.Ĭhicken Little (2005) Don Knotts as Mayor Turkey Lurkey The Iron Giant is not only a fantastic animated film for all ages, but it’s unusual in that there are no opening credits except the film’s title.įor this reason I had no idea who voiced the characters, even after numerous viewings. This is liable to be a controversial pick, but even non-fans of the former Friend should give Jennifer the kudos due her. The Iron Giant (1999) Jennifer Aniston as Annie Hughes It’s a well respected fact that the man can laugh at himself, and that makes it easier for audiences to do the same. Shatner’s style is a matchless pairing with Ozzie’s ‘playin’ possum’ death scenes where his overly dramatic and overtly emphatic acting style, established decades earlier, is playfully employed to perfection. William Shatner is responsible for some memorable voice-over work, notably a large part in Osmosis Jones, but it’s his characterisation of Ozzie the opossum in Over The Hedge that merits a mention here.
Here are ten great voice characterisations in films – those that seem inspired beyond the checklist and ticked boxes of casting sheets. But if it were, say, Chris Rock in the role from the first round, would we have been just as happy to hear him clip clop and quip alongside our favourite ogre? But, if equally competent actors voiced those characters, would we enjoy them just the same? Eddie Murphy does do a great Donkey, granted. Mike Myers makes a fine Shrek, Michael J Fox an admirable Stuart Little. Not after five seasons, he’s not.Īll that brouhaha made us think about voice casting, and how pivotal those choices are to the success and acceptance of characters. During the revving and false starts fans were, understandably, waving their remotes in a furore – because Bender’s not Bender without Bender’s voice. Early last month, we reported that the game of chicken between the pocketbooks and vocal chords of TV’s Futurama was concluded, with the original cast agreeing to return in further episodes.
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