Meet Lucille LaVerne: The Voice of The EVIL QUEEN in Snow White
Ranked #8,443 in Entertainment, #103,349 overall
Who Was The Voice Of The Evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?
Did you ever wonder who voiced the evil Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?
Do you remember Snow White's story?
That the evil or wicked Queen was wildly jealous of the young and very beautiful girl who was named 'the fairest in the land.' Because she is jealous, the Queen behaves very poorly toward her stepdaughter, Snow White, requiring her to work hard as a scullery maid and hoping that the work will dim her beauty. However, when the Magic Mirror reveals that Snow White continues to become more beautiful, the Queen plots to have her killed.
Walt Disney chose actress Lucille LaVerne to play the parts of the Wicked Queen AND the hag Witch. He knew how crucial it was that the Queen be done perfectly and Ms. LaVerne did an amazing job. Initially, however, she was told that her voice was too polished for the hag so she excused herself from the recording studio and returned with the magnificent and gravelly voice we now recognize as the hag witch.
How did Ms. LaVerne achieve this voice difference? It is no secret but it is a surprise that will make you smile. She REMOVED HER FALSE TEETH and the old hag was born.
Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made in 1937 near the end of Ms. LaVerne's life. She was 65 years old when she became the Wicked Queen for Disney's controversial first full-length animated movie. Work for the Queen and Witch lasted about six months. It seems that Ms. LaVerne is one of the more obscure (and some say nearly forgotten) voices and as such, I have been unable to locate any information about what salary she received from Disney for voicing one of the most unforgettable movie villains in history.
Ms. Laverne, according to the New York Times, "seemed to dote on playing tattered old hags, staggering tosspots, time- and care-worn slum mothers and indomitable frontierswomen."
Do you remember Snow White's story?
That the evil or wicked Queen was wildly jealous of the young and very beautiful girl who was named 'the fairest in the land.' Because she is jealous, the Queen behaves very poorly toward her stepdaughter, Snow White, requiring her to work hard as a scullery maid and hoping that the work will dim her beauty. However, when the Magic Mirror reveals that Snow White continues to become more beautiful, the Queen plots to have her killed.
Walt Disney chose actress Lucille LaVerne to play the parts of the Wicked Queen AND the hag Witch. He knew how crucial it was that the Queen be done perfectly and Ms. LaVerne did an amazing job. Initially, however, she was told that her voice was too polished for the hag so she excused herself from the recording studio and returned with the magnificent and gravelly voice we now recognize as the hag witch.
How did Ms. LaVerne achieve this voice difference? It is no secret but it is a surprise that will make you smile. She REMOVED HER FALSE TEETH and the old hag was born.
Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made in 1937 near the end of Ms. LaVerne's life. She was 65 years old when she became the Wicked Queen for Disney's controversial first full-length animated movie. Work for the Queen and Witch lasted about six months. It seems that Ms. LaVerne is one of the more obscure (and some say nearly forgotten) voices and as such, I have been unable to locate any information about what salary she received from Disney for voicing one of the most unforgettable movie villains in history.
Ms. Laverne, according to the New York Times, "seemed to dote on playing tattered old hags, staggering tosspots, time- and care-worn slum mothers and indomitable frontierswomen."
When Lucille LaVerne removed her false teeth to voice the old hag, it was
Loading poll. Please Wait...
"Magic Mirror, on the wall,
who is the fairest one of all?"
Did Lucille LaVerne do a good job of voicing the Evil Queen in Snow White?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Fast Facts About Lucille La Verne
- BORN: November 1872, "Lucille Mitchum"
- BIRTHPLACE: Memphis, Tennessee
- DIED: March 4, 1945
- CAREER: American actress in silent movies and on the stage from the age of 4.
- BEST KNOWN FOR: A subject for debate. Some might argue that she is better known for her roles in silent movies and on stage because her role in Snow White is nearly forgotten.
More Reading About Lucille LaVerne
- Lucille La Verne Biography
"A legendary stage actress and character player in early films, Lucille La Verne is one of those forgotten legends that seem to fade as the years go on. But at the time, she was one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation."- Lucille LaVerne's Life on Findadeath Forum
"This is the type role she excelled at, witches, old hags and other bedraggled types. Smallish, long-haired, with very intense eyes and a husky, rough voice, she was a sort of female Walter Brennan, sacrificing her looks for her craft."- Lucille Laverne Luedke 1924 - 2009 Obituary
"Born a coal miner's daughter May 11, 1924, Lucille Laverne Freeman lived in the small mining town of Farmington, West Virginia with her father Aubrey, mother Ella, older brother Aulda, older sister Mildred (Freeland), older sister Louise (Dawson) and younger brother Harold."- Evil Queen Villains History From Disney Archives |
"Actress Lucille LaVerne was chosen to voice both the Wicked Queen and the hag Witch because of her versatile voice intonations."
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Experience Lucille Laverne as the evil Queen on a fantastically remastered blu-ray disc or DVD.
When you watch Snow White's intricate, graceful movements of fingers, arms, and head all in one shot, it is not the technical brilliance of Disney's artists that leaps out at you, but the very spirit of her engaging, girl-woman character.
It's a crowning achievement and should not be missed." -Tom Keogh
Click here to order your copy of
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
from Amazon.
More Lucille Laverne Movies
This "vain, wicked stepmother and her alter-ego,the black-hooded, apple-proffering hag" is ranked Number 10 on the American Film Institute's villains list of The Greatest Heroes and Villains of the last 100 years.
Own Your Own Magic Mirror
These ones from the sellers on eBay.
More Snow White
Blu-ray Movie Treasures By Brenda, The Blog
My movies blog is the place where I share my love of great and, sometimes, not-so-great movies and films. I would love it if you joined in the discussions by offering your opinion about the best movies, the movie-of-the-day, the last movie you saw or, if you are the silent type, simply following along! Come on and join the fun! I'll look forward to seeing you at the movies!Find my blog at: Blu-ray Movie Treasures By Brenda. Or visit any of these recent posts:
How do you think Lucille LaVerne did at voicing the evil Queen and old hag witch in Snow White?
-
-
thrivingmom
Jan 28, 2011 @ 9:08 pm | delete
- When I was 6 I had nightmares for 2 weeks after watching Snow White. My mom had to sleep with me for a month! My daughter loved Snow White when she was 3 but always decided to leave the room during the scene where the queen transforms.
-
-
-
23squidoo
Jan 25, 2011 @ 10:01 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens! Beautifully presented information about someone I didn't know anything about until now. Angel Blessings!
-
-
-
Pukeko
Jan 24, 2011 @ 5:44 am | delete
- I love the original snow white movie. This was really interesting. I will have to watch it again and listen for the voice difference more clearly. Fun lens on the evil queen.
-
-
-
crosscreations Jan 21, 2011 @ 1:21 pm | delete
- Mirror Mirror, on the wall ...WHO is the most evil queen of ALL? Excellent review here... my vote for the most evil queen still goes to the Wicked Witch of the West in OZ: "I'll get you, my pretty...and your little dog too!"
-
-
-
wordstock Jan 20, 2011 @ 8:06 pm | delete
- She scared me when I was little. Great job on this lens, enjoyed the clip with my grandson.
-
- Load More
by Treasures-By-Brenda
Meet actress Lucille LaVerne, the woman who voiced the evil Queen and the hag witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. more »
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Meet Marge Champion: The Model For Snow White Meet Marge Champion: The Model For Snow White
- Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Blu-ray Movie Review Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Blu-ray Movie Review
- Five Best Blu-ray Disney Movies For Young Children 2009 Five Best Blu-ray Disney Movies For Young Children 2009
- What is The Disney Vault? What Is Disney Releasing From The Vault in 2012? What is The Disney Vault? What Is Disney Releasing From The Vault in 2012?
- Seven Dwarfs Names Seven Dwarfs Names
- Snow White Figurines Snow White Figurines
