41. Voices of the Haunted Mansion featuring Special Guest Andy Mack

Episode 41: Voices of the Mansion with Andy Mack

Welcome, foolish mortals, to another episode of The Swinging Wake Podcast!

This week, Alex and Kris are joined once again by friend, former Disney Cast Member, and voice actor Andy Mack for a journey into the voices that bring Disney’s Haunted Mansion—and its happy haunts—to life.

Before stepping into the Mansion, Alex and Kris catch up on some spooky Disney news, including after-dark tours of Walt Disney’s former Los Feliz home, new Halloween character bag charms at Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion x Stoney Clover Lane collection, Flotsam and Jetsam shoulder plushes from Tokyo Disney Resort, and the Haunted Mansion-inspired Halloween decorations appearing around the Disneyland Hotel.

Then it’s time to lower the safety bar and climb aboard our Doom Buggies as we explore some of the most iconic voices in Haunted Mansion history.

In This Episode

👻 Paul Frees – The Ghost HostWe explore the incredible career of the “Man of a Thousand Voices,” from the Ghost Host and Pirates of the Caribbean to Ludwig Von Drake, the Pillsbury Doughboy, and beyond.

🔮 Eleanor Audley – Madame LeotaThe legendary voice behind Madame Leota—as well as Lady Tremaine and Maleficent—and how her commanding performance became one of the defining sounds of the Mansion.

🕯️ Leota Toombs – Little LeotaThe Imagineer whose face inspired Madame Leota and whose sweet, eerie voice still encourages foolish mortals to “hurry back” at the end of their journey.

🎶 Thurl Ravenscroft & The MellomenWe head into the graveyard to meet the voices—and faces—behind the Singing Busts and discuss Ravenscroft’s enormous Disney legacy.

🎼 Buddy Baker & X AtencioThe creative team responsible for giving the Haunted Mansion its unforgettable musical identity, including the creation of “Grim Grinning Ghosts.”

🎃 Haunted Mansion HolidayWe discuss Kim Irvine carrying on her mother Leota Toombs’ legacy, Suzanne Blakeslee stepping into the role of Madame Leota, Corey Burton taking over Ghost Host duties, and Danny Elfman’s connection to both The Nightmare Before Christmas and Disney Parks.

🎙️ The Art of Voice MatchingAndy gives us a voice actor’s perspective on why iconic characters sometimes have multiple performers and how voice matching allows familiar characters to remain consistent across films, attractions, commercials, and other projects.

🌎 Voices Around the WorldOur Doom Buggies travel beyond the original Mansion as we discuss Vincent Price and Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, Teichiro Hori at Tokyo Disneyland, and Stephen Stanton and Frank Welker bringing Lord Henry Mystic and Albert to life in Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor.

🎭 Honorable MentionsWe also shine a light on Loulie Jean Norman and Betty Taylor, two performers whose voices helped make the Haunted Mansion graveyard the swinging wake we know and love.

Listener Question

Do you have a favorite graveyard ghost?

Maybe it’s one of the Singing Busts, the opera singers, or another happy haunt lurking among the tombstones. We want to hear from you!

📧 Email: feedback@swingingwakepodcast.com📱 Facebook & Instagram: @SwingingWakePodcast

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Until next time, we hope you have a delightfully unlivable time.

Hurry back…

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Links & Sources Disney News & Merchandise

• Walt Disney Mansion After Dark Tour
• Disneyland Halloween Costume Bag Charms
• Tokyo Disney Resort Flotsam & Jetsam Shoulder Plush
• Haunted Mansion x Stoney Clover Lane Collection
• Halloween at the Disneyland Hotel

The Voices & Creators of the Mansion

• Paul Frees — Wikipedia
• Paul Frees — D23
• Paul Frees — Disney Wiki
• Eleanor Audley — Disney Wiki
• Leota Toombs — D23
• The Singing Busts — Disney Wiki
• Thurl Ravenscroft — Disney Wiki
• Thurl Ravenscroft — D23
• Buddy Baker — D23
• X Atencio & The Haunted Mansion — Laughing Place
• Kim Irvine — D23
• Suzanne Blakeslee — Disney Wiki
• Corey Burton — Disney Theme Parks Wiki
• The Nightmare Before Christmas — D23
• Danny Elfman — D23
• Vincent Price — Disney Wiki
• Stephen Stanton — Disney Wiki
• Frank Welker — Disney Wiki
• Loulie Jean Norman — Disney Wiki
• Betty Taylor — Disney Wiki
• Disneyland Audio Tour / Haunted Mansion Audio — DisneyChris.com