Bob Welbaum
Page 1 of 1
A Souvenir from Eddie
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Previewing the 1st Annual NFFC WORLD Convention with Jiminy Cricket
If you are a member of the NFFC, the club for Disneyana enthusiasts, you should already have information about the 1st Annual WORLD Convention, to be held Sep 29 – Oct 1 at the Walt Disney World Swan Resort. Highlights include seminars, a Show & Sale, the traditional Luncheon with Disney Legends, a private dessert viewing of EPCOT’s Illuminations, “Part of Your World�? dinner with a Disney VIP at every table, and an optional EPCOT Around the World Segway tour.
One announced seminar speaker who caught my attention is Eddie Carroll, the official voice of Jiminy Cricket. Eddie had been a featured guest at the NFFC Kick-Off event, held in Garden Grove, CA on January 17-18, 2004. He delivered a very informative presentation, ably MC’ed by NFFC member and Disneyland expert (and LaughingPlace.com contributor) Doug Marsh. So I decided to go to my video collection and refresh my memory about Eddie Carroll.
According to his website (www.eddiecarroll.com), Eddie is a native of Edmonton, Alberta. He got his start in Canadian theater and working as a writer in radio and television.
Like many voice artists, he is a talented and versatile performer:
- Appearing in such classic TV shows as “Mary Tyler Moore,�? “All in the Family,�? and “Fantasy Island.�?
- Starring on a comedy record album, writing songs that both led to his recording contract and recordings by other artists.
- Appearing in over two hundred commercials and a hundred-plus voice-over spots.
- Playing leading roles in more than two dozen theatrical productions from coast to coast.
Speaking of the theater, Eddie is probably best known for his dead-on portrayal of the legendary entertainer Jack Benny. This actually grew out of an impromptu impression on a tense Hollywood set that he thought might break the tension. It did, so well that he was encouraged to develop his impression into a role. A strong visual resemblance to the classic Benny makes his portrayal very convincing.
At the Kick-Off, Eddie stressed that the finished product is not an impression because impressions are really caricatures. Rather, Eddie actually plays Benny in a one-man show “Jack Benny – Laughter in Bloom.�?
This role led to an amazing show-business production: an adaptation of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple�? starring Jack Benny and Groucho Marx! In other words, Eddie played Jack Benny playing Felix Ungar, and fellow actor Frank Ferrante played Groucho Marx playing Oscar Madison. The result? A sold-out run, with critics saying “…Carroll plays it just right… a superior performance marked by nuance and sharp timing.�?
Eddie also explained at the Kick-Off how he became the voice of Jiminy Cricket in 1973, and his approach to this unique role. It’s quite a story. But since his appearance at the WDW Convention is upcoming, I think it best to save this so Eddie can describe it himself.
However, I can’t resist repeating one quick anecdote: once during a Disney recording session he inadvertently had the crew practically rolling with laughter, because although he was speaking in Jiminy’s voice, he was subconsciously using all of Jack Benny’s poses and mannerisms. Try that for a mental image!
I will also repeat the following story, because it will both serve as good background and a springboard for further discussion for those of you who will be attending the Convention:
In response to Doug’s request for final thoughts about Jiminy Cricket and the effect he’s had on Eddie Carroll, Eddie had a quick reply.
“Yes, I’d like to share a story with you folks, and this is absolutely true.
“When I was five years old, the first movie I ever saw in my entire life was Pinocchio. The first movie. Now today, a five-year-old has been watching movies from the time somebody can prop him in front of the TV. We all know that. Kids are very visually oriented today. But back then, there was no video. You either listened to the radio or you went to the movies….
“But I’d never seen a movie before, let alone an animated film. Now can you imagine for a five-year-old for the first time visually, to see an animated feature film? It just blew me away, my imagination just went absolutely wild. And after the movie, for months after that, I drove my folks crazy because I fell in love with the character Jiminy Cricket.
“Now for a five-year-old, the ideal buddy, a fantasy friend, would be a little friend this big [holds fingers about three inches apart] you can carry in your pocket. I mean, it was just wonderful. And I couldn’t stop talking.
“My mother finally said ‘Will you stop with Jiminy Cricket, you’re driving me nuts!’
“And I said ‘Well, one day I’ll meet Jiminy Cricket and he’ll be my friend.’�?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie Carroll again.
Related Links
Discuss It
-- Bob Welbaum
Bob Welbaum is a longtime Disneyana fan and NFFC member from the Dayton, Ohio area.
-- September 21, 2006