Frees' early radio career was cut short when he was drafted into World War II where he was at Normandy on D-Day. He was wounded in action and was returned to the United States for a year of recuperation. He attended the Chouinard Art Institute under the G.I. Bill. His first wife's failing health forced him to drop out and return to radio work. He appeared frequently on such Hollywood radio series, including Escape, playing lead roles and alternating with William Conrad as the opening voice, Suspense as the opening announcer in the late 1940s, and parts on Gunsmoke and Crime Classics. One of his few starring roles in this medium was as Jethro Dumont in the 1949 series The Green Lama, as well as a syndicated anthology series The Player, in which Frees narrated and played all of the parts.
Frees was often called upon in the 1950s and 1960s to "re-loop" the dialogue of other actors, often to correct for foreign accents, lack of English proficiency, or poor line readings by non-professionals. These dubs extended from a few lines to entire roles. This can be noticed rather clearly in the film Midway where Frees reads for Toshiro Mifune's performance as Admiral Yamamoto. Frees also dubbed the entire role of Eddie in the Disney film The Ugly Dachshund, replacing actor Dick Wessel, who had died of a sudden heart attack after completion of principal photography.
Unlike many voice actors who did most of their work for one studio, Frees spent much of his career working with at least nine of the major animation production companies of the 20th century: Walt Disney Studios, Walter Lantz Studios, UPA, Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, MGM Studios, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, Jay Ward Productions and Rankin/Bass. For example, he voiced John Lennon and George Harrison in The Beatles' Saturday morning cartoon.
Frees was active until his sudden death at 66 from heart failure on November 2, 1986. He was living in Tiburon, California at the time. His ashes were scattered at sea.
There had been homages to him done by voice actor Corey Burton who happened to have matched the voices he used for some characters
Grim Grinning Ghosts
Paul Frees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the tombstones quake
Spooks come out for a singing wake
Happy haunts materialize
And begin to vocalize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
Now don't close your eyes
Or a silly spook may sit by your side
Shrouded in a daft disguise
They pretend to terrorize
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
As the moon climbs high o'er dead oak tree
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes
Start to shriek and harmonize
Grim grinning ghosts come out socialize
When you hear the knell of a requiem bell
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell
Restles bones etherealize
Rise as spooks of every size
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
Grim grinning ghosts come out
Grim grinning ghosts come out
To socialize
The lyrics of Paul Frees's song "Grim Grinning Ghosts" paint a vivid picture of a ghostly gathering in a haunted place. The song sets the scene in a crypt, with creaking doors and shaking tombstones, as various spirits come out for a "singing wake." These spooks, known as "happy haunts," materialize and begin to vocalize, creating an eerie atmosphere. The ghosts, represented by the phrase "grim grinning ghosts," are depicted as social beings who come together to interact and engage with their surroundings.
The lyrics caution the listener not to close their eyes or try to hide, as a mischievous ghost might choose to sit beside them. These spirits, portrayed with a sense of humor, don a silly disguise and pretend to terrify, further emphasizing their playful and social nature.
The song continues by referencing the moonrise and dead oak tree, indicating that as night falls, more spooks arrive for a midnight spree. These creepy creatures, with their eerie eyes, start shrieking and harmonizing, adding an extra layer of haunting charm to the gathering.
The lyrics also mention the tolling of a requiem bell, indicating a sense of mourning and the presence of spirits dwelling in the space. Weird glows are described as spirits materialize, and restless bones rise as ghosts of various sizes.
Overall, "Grim Grinning Ghosts" is an enjoyable and whimsical depiction of ghostly beings coming together for a social event in a haunted location. The lyrics create an enchanting atmosphere, blending elements of mystery, humor, and the supernatural.
Line by Line Meaning
When the crypt doors creak
When the doors of the ancient tombs make a creaking sound
And the tombstones quake
And the tombstones tremble and shake
Spooks come out for a singing wake
Ghosts emerge to participate in a musical gathering
Happy haunts materialize
Joyful spirits appear
And begin to vocalize
And start to express themselves through singing
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
Sinister yet playful ghosts emerge to interact with others
Now don't close your eyes
Now, do not shut your eyes
And don't try to hide
And do not attempt to conceal yourself
Or a silly spook may sit by your side
Otherwise, a foolish ghost might come and sit next to you
Shrouded in a daft disguise
Concealed beneath a foolish and ridiculous appearance
They pretend to terrorize
They feign and pretend to frighten
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
Sinister yet playful ghosts emerge to interact with others
As the moon climbs high o'er dead oak tree
As the moon rises above a lifeless oak tree
Spooks arrive for the midnight spree
Ghosts arrive for a lively gathering at midnight
Creepy creeps with eerie eyes
Disturbing individuals with unsettling eyes
Start to shriek and harmonize
Begin to scream and create a harmonious sound
Grim grinning ghosts come out socialize
Sinister yet playful ghosts emerge to interact with others
When you hear the knell of a requiem bell
When you hear the tolling sound of a funeral bell
Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell
Strange glows shine in the places where spirits reside
Restless bones etherealize
Agitated bones take on an otherworldly form
Rise as spooks of every size
Emerging as ghosts of all shapes and sizes
Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize
Sinister yet playful ghosts emerge to interact with others
Grim grinning ghosts come out
Sinister yet playful ghosts emerge
Grim grinning ghosts come out
Sinister yet playful ghosts emerge
To socialize
To interact and engage with others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Xavier Atencio, Norman Buddy Baker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
marcsemail75
Thx for keeping the origonal song here... mostly remixes out there. What a song, and what a ride!