Tuesday, December 12, 2017

The Grinch And Tony The Tiger...!

With Christmas right around the corner, I figured you might enjoy a little yuletide trivia.

This is one of those almost useless facts I have found when searching sites like Listverse, which can always be counted on to have some fun facts about all kinds of stuff.

Tony The Tiger Sang ‘You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch’



Boris Karloff famously narrated the Dr. Seuss classic, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. But the horror film veteran had a little secret—he couldn’t sing. Instead, the production team called on voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft to handle the musical numbers. Ravenscroft’s singing was unknown for years, because he did not receive a credit on the telecast, leading many to believe it was Karloff who knocked the song out of the park.

Ravenscroft might not be a famous name to you, but you surely know his voice. He voiced characters on Disney rides and shows (including Buff from the Country Bears Jamboree) but is best recalled for his TV work. He played “Tony The Tiger” for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes TV commercials. You’ll never hear “they’re grrrrrrreat!” again without thinking of the Grinch.

There are actually two versions of “Mr. Grinch”, both of which get air play today. The original TV version features sound effects of crashes and booms (as the Grinch moves through the homes and liberates Christmas gifts). If you hear the sound effects version, that’s the version lifted from the show. The clean version was intended for radio play.

Some things are best left unknown, I reckon. I never would have known if I had not found the article.

Coffee in the kitchen again. Another cold front on the way.

6 comments:

linda m said...

I knew Ravenscroft did Tony the Tiger, but had no idea he filled in for Boris Karloff as The Grinch. Wow, I learned something new today. Thanks.

Momlady said...

Loved the voice. Mike Rowe did a good job of it also. Deep voices are my favorite.

Rob said...

I never ever thought of the voices behind any cartoon advertisement.

HermitJim said...

Hey Linda...
Glad I could teach ya something new.
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Momlady...
Deeper voices are always more soothing than others to me also.
Thanks for coming by this morning!


Hey Rob...
I don't think most of us give them any thought. Guess that's how it is supposed to be.
Thanks for the visit today!

JO said...

I've always said come to Mr. Hermit for coffee and learn something new. And I don't think I even knew Boris Karloff did the voice of the Grinch. And I don't remember hearing the name of
Ravenscroft before. I think today they make everyone aware of the voices behind the scenes.

I haven't seen anything about us having another cold front yet but I'm happy with what we are having now.

Dizzy-Dick said...

I do not have a deep voice. I always sang the tenor parts in choirs. In the quartets I sang in, barber shop and gospel, I sang the lead. Now, I don't know if I can even sing a note. Since I have a high voice I could never do Tony the Tiger's Grrrrrat...