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Listen to Peter Behn and you would never guess why the 76-year-old Park City man ought to be famous.
He's notable for work he did more than 70 years ago — as the voice of the giddy cartoon rabbit Thumper in the classic Disney animated film "Bambi."
Behn was only 4 when he began recording the voice of the playful bunny in the iconic 1942 coming-of-age film about a lovable fawn's adventures.
It would be the only voice work Behn would perform. Shortly later, he and his family moved away from Los Angeles. As an adult, he worked as a real-estate executive before retiring in Park City.
The Diamond Edition of "Bambi" was released on Blu-ray disc last Tuesday. Amazingly, even after nearly 70 years, Behn still has never met Donnie Dunagan, the voice of Bambi (their voices were recorded separately).
That is, until this week. The two are scheduled to meet for the first time on today's episode of "The View" (KTVX Channel 4) at 11 a.m.
In an interview, Behn talked about his recollection of working on the film and the opportunity of meeting the legendary Walt Disney.
How did you get the job?
My father was a screenwriter, and he heard that Disney was having an audition for "Bambi." He said, "Let's take Peter over and see what goes on when they're doing voice testing for 'Bambi.' " There were 30 kids and my voice was totally wrong for Bambi, so they rejected me for that. A couple of weeks later, the animators were listening to all of the voice auditions to see what would work for other characters in the movie, and one said, "That kid would be great for the rabbit."
Do you remember much of the experience?
I have an overall impression of the studio and the little zoo they had. I remember a little about being in the recording studio with the director, just basically playing games. The whole thing was a game to me.
What was the most memorable memory of that experience?
As a little kid, you don't realize you're being involved in a historic creation. It was just what was happening at the time.
How were you directed?
The director had to butter me up and be my buddy and be fun with me so I was enjoying the experience. We made a game of it. He would say things, and then he would say, "Now you say it."
What was it like first meeting Walt Disney?
To me, he was just a friend of my father's or just another person. Certainly, in retrospect, he was a very creative, dynamic kind of guy.
You never met Donnie Dunagan, ever. How come?
I never went to the premiere. I was in Arizona at the time. He lives in Texas, and he was in the Marines for 20 years, and had his life going, and I had my life going, and there was nothing to bring us together until now.
Over the years, this has become one of the top classic, iconic Disney movies. Why do you think that is?
I feel very good about being a part of that legacy. As to why it is, it's very touching. It's poignant. It certainly touches a chord with children and mothers. When I talk to people and they learn that I was the voice of Thumper, it's the mothers who are thrilled and pleased.
People remember Thumper as much as Bambi. Why do you think that is?
They made Thumper the spokesperson for that movie. Thumper ties it all together. Bambi is the focus, but Thumper is the one who keeps bringing everything together. He teaches Bambi how to handle the ice, teaches him how to talk and introduces him to Flower. Thumper is the one with the sparky personality and sparky voice.