Dallas McKennon in "Daniel Boone." Photo: 20th Century Fox
Voice actor Dallas McKennon has passed away at 89, just shy of his 90th birthday, which would have been July 19. While best known for his extensive work as a voice for various animated features (including Sleeping Beauty, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations, The Jungle Book, and Mary Poppins), McKennon also voiced numerous voice tracks used in the Disney theme parks - most notably his warning for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, in which he exclaimed "Hold on to your hats and glasses... this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!" In Epcot, McKennon's voice gives life to an Audio-Animatronic Ben Franklin - another notable role.
Haunted Mansion afficienados might note that McKennon also voiced the deaf old man in the Haunted Mansion's graveyard, who, unable to decipher the mummy muttering through his bandages, has been doomed to an eternity of croaking out "What's that? Louder!" Additionally, McKennon claimed that he was also the voice behind the whimpering dog outside the graveyard gates, as well as a few assorted moans, groans and wails from inside the attraction - including the famously horrifying scream inside of the stretching gallery.
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Since he does some of the Haunted Mansion screams, his fans may be interested to know that he can be seen doing that on-screen in the schlocky Vincent Price movie "The Tingler," if they remember that one," recalled Tim Hollis, author of Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records. "Toward the end of the picture, Dal appears as a projectionist in a movie theater, with a giant rubber grubworm locked around his throat. Dal then lets loose with practically the same scream you hear in the Haunted Mansion stretch room."
Having had the pleasure of corresponding with McKennon many years ago, this writer recalls his wit and the pleasure he took in acknowleding his fans. In speaking with his daughter, she expressed delight in the number of fans that admired his work for Disney, as she wasn't sure the company had fully recognized his contributions to the theme parks.
Beyond the parks and films, McKennon was also a prolific contributor to Disneyland Records, appearing on numerous recordings over a period of nearly 15 years, beginning with 1957's "Stories of Uncle Remus." Outside of Disney, McKennon voiced many famous cartoon characters (including Gumby and Archie), and he also was featured in many live-action films and shows. Many people may remember McKennon as Cincinnatus the shopkeeper in the television series "Daniel Boone."
Comments
Thank you Jeff for your tribute to our father. He had a good life and truly enjoyed adding everyone he met into his 'family'. He was able to do so many things in his life, especially loved his Disney years.
As a former Big Thunder employee, I often heard Dallas' voice in my sleep! In fact at my wedding (to another Thunder person) we playerd his "Sorry for the hold up folks" spiel before the bride walked down the aisle.
He will be missed.
Peace be with you Dallas...you will be missed so much. Thank you for all the special things that you did and the memories you gave me growing up in that house in front (or back) of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. You made my childhood and many others a very happy time. Thank you so much....
I second that mom.
My thoughts are with you all, McKennons. Thank you for sharing your memories. We'll be doing a special segment on next Monday's episode of the Mousetalgia.com podcast honoring Dallas' amazing work for Disney, with some audio interviews he gave a few years back that were never published. What a wonderful legacy of work he has left for future generations to enjoy.
My thoughts and prayers go to his family, we lost a great entertainer and man, but no he is entertaining the Good Lord and all the Angels with music and stories. Watching him in Daniel Boone on dvd everyday, I feel like he will live on forever in our hearts, and the hearts of his family
I met Dal in Kentucky while he was there promoting Daniel Boone and I was painting the official portrait. We began a friendship of music and production that kept going and is a long story, but I surely know he is one of the most talented individuals I have ever know.
God Bless you, Dallas. I miss hearing you sing Happiness is the Family Tree. You were such a great gentleman to know and work with. Your Kentucky friends will miss you.
I was in Dals Vox Box Class and was able to bark like a real dog. So I and a group of ther people were over at his home studio and I sead lets fool the prfeser I will bark and you give me help. Bow wow Bark Bark (Wher is the Dog You know the Rules No dogs allowed in my Studio,Ok who is the dog Dal said). Aprox 20 Years went by dallas was in the car with Me and I asked him did You ever know of who the dog was?. Dallas I have a confesion to tell You I was the dog. (You get an A+ Dal Said)
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