Thursday, July 29, 2010

June Foray: Queen of Voice

What does Chatty Cathy, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Smurfs, Tom & Jerry, Tiny Toons and Rugrats all have in common?  They all have the voice/voices of the amazing June Foray!  When you look at her credits, she has been the go to voice for a number of character that we, our children and even our children's children have grow up with.
I wanted to let all my fans know that June's voice (the original Jokey) will NOT be part of the upcoming Sony movie, Smurfs and a bunch of us think that is just plain WRONG.  It's wrong on a couple of levels and it has been something that I wanted to share. In filmmaking, the star is often the vehicle for a films appeal at the box office.  I'll admit, I will sometimes go see a movie just because I want to see my favorite star, despite the film being bad.  HOWEVER, this is not the case in animation.  Animation is about story.  It doesn't matter what the style, actors, writer, but it does depend on endearing or compelling characters.  Does it matter to you that Ed Asner's voice was the old man in UP?  Or did you just fall in love with the movie because of the first 10 minutes or so of the opening.
What about Princess and the Frog?  Did you or your kids care that Oprah was  the voice of Eudora (did you even know that)? The expertise of voice actors is that they are trained and experienced in working behind the camera.  Their energy IS their voice.
So that brings me back to the Queen of Voice, June Foray.  A campaign has begun to get her into the cast of the new Smurf movie.  I think the studios owe it to her.  Even at 93, she has the stamina and voice to play a role. AND for someone that is still healthy at 93, we owe it to her.  Let's quit looking at someone's age and look at their abilities!  THAT goes for artists of all types!  

So, join me in supporting June.  Afterall, if a campaign can get Betty White on SNL, then we should be able to get something done for June!

Facebook-Justice for June Foray

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