Robie Lester, Paul Frees, Ron Howard and the Haunted Mansion Mystery

Last night I was watching, "Santa Clause is Comin' to Town," the 1970 animated classic. You can't beat the clay animated movies around this time of year. As I was listening to the movie I couldn't help but notice that the voices sounded familiar.

Paul Frees in the movie is the voice of Burgermeister Meisterburger. I know him from many attractions and movies he did for Disney.

Frees voiced Disney's Professor Ludwig Von Drake in eighteen episodes of the Disney anthology television series. Frees also provided voices for numerous characters at Disney parks, including the unseen "Ghost Host" in the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and several audio-animatronic pirates, including the Auctioneer, in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  Frees also provided narration for the Tomorrowland attraction Adventure Thru Inner Space (1967–1985). In addition, he provided the voice of Captain Nemo for Disney World's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage in Orlando Florida doing a good impression of actor James Mason.

Mrs. Claus' voice had me stummed. Where could I have heard that voice? Then is dawned on me. The Story of the Haunted Mansion CD. Mrs. Claus was voiced by Robie Lester, who played Karen on the Disney CD. This CD was produced to advertise and hype up the new Haunted Mansion attraction before it open in 1969.

Disneyland Records released The Story and Song From The Haunted Mansion as a record album in 1969. It featured the story of two teenagers, Mike (Ron Howard) and Karen (Robie Lester), who get trapped inside the Haunted Mansion, with Thurl Ravenscroft as the Narrator, Pete Reneday as the Ghost Host, and Eleanor Audley as Madame Leota. Some of the effects and ideas that were planned but never permanently made it to the attraction are mentioned here: the Raven speaks in the Stretching Room, and the Hatbox Ghost is mentioned during the Attic scene.

Not to many people know that Ron Howard record this album for Disney.  I feel this is a must have CD for any Disney fan. The soundtrack is very interesting and humorous. It sounds like it was recorded in someone's garage. It's pure awesomeness! The Raven talks like a cranky old woman. Robie Lester's performance is priceless. Of course Opie is a great actor on this CD.