The Next Best Haunting

 In last week's comments, JB pointed out that I don't have the "holy grail" Disney album (which he is lucky enough to own!) Well, the truth is I do have it...sort of. 

Probably the coolest Disney album ever released is The Story and Song From the Haunted Mansion. Why, here it is...

That's a fantastic cover, isn't it? This is my copy, but all is not what it seems. Here, let's get a little perspective...

You see, my version isn't the original 1969 vinyl version, but rather the 40 year anniversary released on CD! Although not nearly as cool as the original, this version has a couple of "extras." First, "Grim Grinning Ghosts" is presented as a complete separate track here. Ans second, when inserted into a computer, you can view Collin Campbell's original illustrations in high def. 

Let's look a bit more...

Here is the back of the CD case...

And when you open it, you see the CD and the booklet with the story!

You have to pull the disc out to see the credits (Ron Howard!,  Thurl Ravenscroft!!, Eleanor Audley!!!, Robie Lester!!!! and the great Pete Renoudet!!!!!) Ok, you might not know Robie or Pete right off since "Karen" isn't actually part of the ride and Pete didn't make the cut as Ghost Host for the actual attraction. Robie actually voiced a lot of Disneyland Records (including Piglett, who's voice you can hear sneak by just a bit when she says, "But I'm scared!" on this album.)

Now, I didn't know it (but y'all probably did) that Pete is actually a pretty big Disneyland (the park) star! Here are his credits (not including movies)

Henry the MC bear and Max the deer in Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom and variations)

Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarine voyage (Walt Disney World)

Abraham Lincoln in The Hall of Presidents (1994–2008)

Narrator for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Disneyland version)

Narrator for The Walt Disney Story

Voices for Tomorrowland Transit Authority (PeopleMover), Adventure Thru Inner Space, Mark Twain Riverboat, Flight to the Moon / Mission to Mars, and others

So losing out to Paul Frees as Ghost Host wasn't exactly a huge blow to his career. 

And here is the booklet...

And now we'll take a quick look at the Campbell gallery. This is the menu page. The candles float around a bit, but don't really do anything. You click on the "paintings" to see the art.

Like this! One of the great renderings of our beloved mansion!

And this! Ah, it looks like home, eh?

I don't have to tell you how interesting the story itself is. Having been written and recorded late in the Mansion's development, it shows how much was still in flux right up until opening day! I think of it as "The Mansion that almost was...but kind of is..." 

So there you have it! If I ever do stumble across a reasonably priced vintage vinyl copy, you can be sure I'll snap it up before you can say, "BOO!" Until then, this serves as a pretty good placeholder!

Until next time, keep searching for treasure....And don't forget your Death Certificate...