At some point in our childhood, we have watched the movie “Bambi” at least once. We all remember Bambi and his friends, Flower and Thumper. They were so adorable. Not too long ago, I had the chance to speak with Peter Behn, who voiced young Thumper in the classic Disney film. Behn, who went on to graduate from college and began working as a real estate agent, told me a bit about his experiences while filming.
What is your favorite memory of working on “Bambi”?
Wow, don’t forget I was four years old, and uh, I don’t know how impressed a four year old gets about things. But the things I remember, perhaps, obviously I remember the recording process, the recording studio and Don of course. But then also there was a little mini zoo onsite with some deer, and rabbits and other animals. It was there primarily for the artists, the animators, to see the animals and their anatomy so it would help them in creating their art. And I remember that I was holding a bunny at one point, so that was memorable. The rest of it, I didn’t get to meet the animators, but as a four year old, how impressed can you be with something like that?
What was the reaction of your children and grandchildren when they learned you voiced Thumper?
Well, we did see the movie with our various children and grandchildren. And it was fun, but it was another movie for them to see. I don’t know how impressed the kids and grandkids are about what their father and grandfather did a thousand years ago, but we had fun with it. My kids know about it but we don’t talk about it very often.
Did you keep in touch with your co-stars after filming ended?
PB: No, I never met anybody while we were recording. It was not done with a group of actors at one time. We were individually recorded and then, of course, put together appropriately by the studio.
I read you met Walt Disney. What was that like for you?
Well, he seemed like a very nice man. Yes, I did meet him and I knew he was sort of in charge of things. But you know, that’s pretty much it. Don’t forget, what can a four year old do when you bring a friend in and the four year old meets that friend and they usually go off and play in a corner somewhere? So it’s very difficult to have a substantial memory of that experience.
Having been a fan of Walt Disney’s animated films, it was so amazing to speak with Mr. Behn and talk with him about his work. If you haven’t seen “Bambi” before, now is the perfect time to go out and get a copy of the DVD. If you already have a copy, sit down with your little ones and introduce them to the beauty and magic that made “Bambi” the memorable classic we all know and love.
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