FROM 2007
KATHRYN BEAUMONT
talks about her work after the films and about Walt Disney

by Scott Wolf

As a child, Kathryn Beaumont, came to America with her mother after fleeing from the war where they were forced to move around and live in air raid shelters. Kathryn soon found success as a child actress in movies and not only provided the voice of Alice in "Alice in Wonderland" and Wendy in "Peter Pan" for Disney, but was also involved in the live action reference for her characters.

While she appreciates her opportunities as an actress, Kathy chose to become a school teacher where she found just as much satisfaction.

Kathy is a warm, wonderful person. A great talent and yet so humble. I'm just thrilled to be able to share this interview with you!

(Pictured, right, Kathy with a young fan.)

Scott Wolf: When you recorded the soundtracks for the films, were you reading with other members of the cast or were they completely separate?

Kathryn Beaumont: A nice feature, in my opinion, was being able to record with the other actors present and huddled around the microphone. There was more collaboration, and it helped me to react more naturally. I understand that today each voice is recorded separately, so you have to react to one interpretation that you hear through the earphones.

SW: Do you have any particular memories of any of your co-stars?

I just remember that I was in awe of the many talented and at that time well-known artists. I remember being so excited to work with Hans Conried. I knew and admired his wonderful voice interpretations on the many radio programs I heard, and I remember him being so helpful and friendly to me. My unique position of being a child meant that when a scene was finished, I was whisked to a quiet corner to do my school work, so I didn't have much opportunity to interact with these wonderful actors. My child's point of view was that these artists were really nice to work with and made me feel very comfortable.

SW: Since doing your film work, what other voices have you recorded, such as the attractions?

KB: Disney Character Voices has from time to time in the past called me in to record Alice or Wendy related lines. The first time was in 1983 when the Alice ride was being re-vamped, and I provided the narrative. Later they asked me to record the instructions given to guests waiting to board the ride.....the English portion (though I probably could have read the Spanish as well, as long as it was just reading)! I also provided a narrative outside the Peter Pan ride. I have returned from time to time to read a line or two for the Electrical Parade and Fantasmic!. There was also an Alice read-along that I did.

SW: What have you been doing in recent years?

KB: After I finished my education I had a teaching credential and began what would turn out to be a very long adult career in the classroom that was both satisfying and gratifying, so that I had no regrets about not pursuing an acting career as an adult. I loved working with the age level, mostly primary grades. It was challenging, and there never was a dull moment! The fact that in Elementary one teaches all the subjects meant that I could enjoy some creativity with the learning process. Enriching the lessons with art, music, literature, and lots of opportunity for student interaction created a dynamic experience. I did, at times, use what I learned about animation, and we had SIMPLE animation projects towards the end of the school year. They would come as an extension of writing skills or a culmination of social studies, etc., concepts.

SW: Did your students ever know that you were those Disney voices?

KB: My students did know about my Disney work. Of course, word got around because of the re-releases. It did not seem a particular issue because they viewed me strictly as their teacher. There would be a flurry of excitement at the time, and then life went back to normal quite quickly!

SW: Did you call Walt, Mr. Disney? What kind of person was he to you?

KB: Yes, I used to call him Mr. Disney, and it started to be rather awkward to say Walt, and I thought, “Oh, this doesn’t sound right” because as a child and even into adulthood I always called him Mr. Disney. But, the fact that I knew him at all, I can say that I did know him, he was a very accessible person, a very creative person, and very easy for me to be with which I didn’t expect.

SW: Why?

KB: Because usually the head of a studio is not that visible and you don’t really get to know them very well. But he was around all the time. I mean, he would come down to the cafeteria and he’d go thru the line with everybody else, and he’d find a place to sit just as the other workers were doing… sit down and talk to anybody. He was really a part of the creative team. He wasn’t basically the head of the studio, and I think that is one of the major memories that I have of who he was.

More from Kathryn:
Working on the Disney films

See other interviews