Growing up watching any of the Charlie Brown specials I always just imagined the voices were done by voice actors like many modern movies. In reality, each character’s voice was done by a child, and not necessarily a child actor. Sally Dryer was one of the children who did the voices in the specials, originally cast as Violet – she was the voice behind Lucy and made her the character we know today.
Lucy will probably be known throughout time as the bratty character in any of the Charlie Brown specials. She’s loud, outspoken and gets her way. But even though she seems to be the the character that isn’t always the favorite these are the characteristics we strive for as we get older to be successful in our lives. But what was it like growing up as the voice of Lucy? I found out last week when I had a chance to interview Sally and ask a few questions.
What was it like for you to do this as your first job?
Yes, my first job at age 8! It was unknown at that point, an experiment. Lee Mendelson had approached Charles Schulz for years to do an animated special, and Schulz always said no. Finally, he said, “I’ll do it, but it has to be real kids’ voices.” For me, it was a fun way to get out of school. We didn’t know what it become, for sure!
Can you describe the process of how they recorded your voices?
They’d record us one at a time: Lee Mendelson would say a line to us, and we’d repeat it. We’d try to repeat with inflections he gave us. Sometimes we’d hit it on the first try, and other times we’d have to go over and over and over again.
I remember when we were recording the Great Pumpkin, the girl who played Sally spent hours trying to say “You owe me restitution!”
The miracle was done with editing. They’d use the lines they wanted and assemble it all.
Were you excited to be cast as Lucy?
It was a good thing. I had no idea how bratty my voice was, but all my neighbors were like, “Oh yeah, she’s Lucy all right!” The neighborhood knew before I did!
Lucy was more fun to play. You get to say what you think! She’s such a smart aleck. You get to really embrace that crabby person within you and it’s okay.
What did you get paid?
I got paid a whopping $100 per show! It was the 60s and an unknown thing. My mother’s philosophy was, “Whatever – just have fun.” That’s what it was about. I occasionally get residuals, sometimes 9 dollars and 33 cents, sometimes a couple hundred dollars. I had to put it in a college fund. Fortunately, I went to a state school in California!
Is Lucy your favorite character?
Snoopy’s got to be my favorite character, really. I love Lucy’s frankness and willingness to say anything, but Snoopy’s the most entertaining thing ever.
Do you ever find yourself using the dialogue in your real life?
Oh, absolutely – all the time! I work as a volunteer dog technician in an animal clinic, and I always say “Dog lips are not poison! No iodine! No ‘blecch’!” I’ll find myself saying, “I got a rock!” It’s always right there.
Sally started her career at the age of 8, and will forever be the voice of Lucy we all think of and hear when we watch the Charlie Brown specials. She continued the voice of Lucy through most of the 60’s, and in 1969 did the voice of Patty in A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Today she is the co-owner of Nellie Bly – the largest kaleidoscope store in the world.
DOG KISSES– YUK!!!!!! DOG KISSES non forgetable scene
My favorite one is when Lucy talks about Charlie Brown
When Lucy gets grossed out by dog kisses always makes me laugh.
The Valentine special is really cute with her throb scence
It will always be dog kisses
I love when she is at her therapy stand.
I like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree– It was just a stick–but in the ending it was beautiful and Lucy even commented on it as such
The best scene in any of the movies is of course the dog kisses! I think that stays in everyone’s head!
I also love when she’s grossed out by snoopy kisses.
Her psychiatric stand has got to be my fave part!
I love Lucy with Snoopy and the dog kisses
I love when Lucy gets grossed out by dog kisses, so funny!
I have to agree the scene with Lucy and the psychiatric lounge being the doctor– too funny
my favorite will always be Snoopy kissing Lucy and her grossing out
My favorite will always be Snoopy kissing Lucy and she is so grossed out — that is too funny
Lucy – the therapist is always great.
My favorite Lucy scene is from CharlieBrown’s Christmas.”What has Beethoven got to do with Christmas?”He never got his picture on bubblegum cards, did he? Have you ever seen his picture on a bubblegum card? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who’s never had his picture on bubblegum cards?
love Lucy’s disgust with Snoopy; so funny and Snoopy loves to aggravate her
[…] Schulz. And now we’ve learned a little about what it was like to be the voice of Lucy from Sally Dryer. But there is a lot more that went into every special that we enjoy from Halloween all the way […]