As They Wish
October 9th, 2017, will mark 30 years since Rob Reiner’s Oscar-nominated, cult-classic film, The Princess Bride was released. There a great deal of reasons of why “The Princess Bride,” is a special film. It features a heartwarming story-and for its fans-a great deal of quotable dialogue from screenwriter William Goldman, (who also wrote the original book). Plus each of the characters within the story are brought to life by the wonderful talents of a star-studded. Did you happen to know that many of the film’s stars went on to lend their voices to Disney Animation?
Wallace Shawn, who played Vizzini in “Princess Bride,” provided the voice of Rex the Dinosaur in the Toy Story Trilogy, Principal Mazur in A Goofy Movie (1995), and Principal Crosby Strickler in Teacher’s Pet the television series (2000-2005) and the movie (2004). He also voiced Bob’s irritating boss, Mr. Gilbert Huph, in The Incredibles (2004), and Billy in the direct-to-video sequel to Air Bud (1997), Air Buddies (2006). Shawn also had a small part in The Haunted Mansion (2003), based on the Disney Park attraction of the same name. Shawn had one of “Princess Bride’s” most quotable lines with “Inconceivable!” Due to a fear of heights, he was very scared to shoot the “Cliffs of Insanity” scene in the film, but Andre the Giant assured him that he would take care of him, and his fear lessened as a result.
Billy Crystal, who played Miracle Max in the film, voiced Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. (2001) and its prequel, Monsters University (2013). Crystal was reunited with Rob Reiner for his next film after “Princess Bride,” released 2 years later, When Harry Met Sally (1989). During the filming of the “Miracle Max” scene in the film, Crystal was so hilarious and made everyone laugh so hard, that Reiner had to leave the set and co-star Mandy Patinkin, (who played Inigo Montoya) bruised a rib, trying to withhold his laughter.
Carol Kane, who played Miracle Max’s wife Valerie, lent her voice to many Disney Channel television shows. She provided the voices of Brawnhilda in Aladdin (1994-1995), Nana Shapiro in Phineas and Ferb (2007-2015), and the Sea Witch in Jake and the Neverland Pirates (2011-present). She also had small parts in the live-action Disney films, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004) and The Pacifier (2005). Aside from her film career, in 2006, she permanently took over the role of Madame Morrible in the musical Wicked on Broadway, succeeding Rue McClanahan who reprised the show’s original, Carole Shelley. Prior to that, she originated the role in Wicked’s 1st National Tour (which I got to see in Dallas!)
Chris Sarandon, who portrayed Prince Humperdink in “Princess Bride,” provided the speaking voice of Jack Skellington in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). He shared the role with Danny Elfman, who provided Jack’s singing voice. (Elfman also scored and wrote the songs “Nightmare Before Christmas,” and has written material for the majority of all of Tim Burton’s movies). Chris Sarandon brought his children to the set of the film because they had heard that their father was starring opposite a large giant, and when his son took one look at Andre the Giant he screamed at the top of his lungs and ran away as a result. Cary Elwes who played Westley and Fred Savage who played the Grandson in the film have also done voice work for Disney.
We might remember each of these people as their characters from “Princess Bride,” better than as the cartoon characters they voiced for Disney, though their roles for Disney did give more versatility to their careers. Some of them were even fortunate enough to receive Oscar nominations in their careers, including Carol Kane, Chris Sarandon and Peter Falk. (Kane: Best Actress in Hester Street (1975), Sarandon: Best Supporting Actor in Dog Day Afternoon (1975) and Falk: Best Supporting Actor in Murder, Inc. (1960) and Best Supporting Actor in Pocketful of Miracles (1961)). But it was thanks to their acting, William Goldman’s beautiful words, and Rob Reiner’s direction (and co-production with Andrew Schienman) that “The Princess Bride,” became the classic that it remains to this day!
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