Alternative Nightmare Before Christmas Narration Found on Soundtrack

The voice that introduces the classic 1993 stop-motion animated film The Nightmare Before Christmas is provided by Ed Ivory, who plays Santa Claus in a brief role. However, an alternative version of this opening narration was recorded by Patrick Stewart, the renowned actor known for his iconic portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek.

This longer version of the narration did not make it into the final movie but can be found on the film's soundtrack. Walt Disney Records released the soundtrack on October 12, 1993, featuring 20 tracks that capture the whimsical and eerie atmosphere of the film.

Patrick Stewart is credited as a contributor to two specific tracks: "Opening, which immediately follows the overture, and Closing, the 19th track preceding the end titles. These two bookend pieces were intended to frame the narrative of the film in its original conception.

The inclusion of Stewart's narration on the soundtrack offers an interesting glimpse into the creative process behind The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The soundtrack for The Nightmare Before Christmas, released on October 12, 1993 by Walt Disney Records, features two tracks recorded by Danny Elfman that bookend the record. These are Opening" and "Closing, which respectively precede and follow the film's end titles.

Despite being a key figure in the production of the movie, Tim Burton is not credited with any narration or on-screen role. This absence has led to speculation about his involvement in the story, but it appears that what was unused was his own recorded narration.

According to director Henry Selick, Danny Elfman's voice was originally intended for Santa Claus at the beginning and end of the film. However, filling this role proved more difficult than expected, suggesting that Elfman's distinctive vocals added a unique quality to the character.

Selick explained in a 2013 interview with The Daily Beast that recording Elfman's narration was tied to his involvement as Santa Claus from the outset. This insight highlights the importance of voice acting in bringing characters to life on screen and underscores the challenges faced by filmmakers when casting actors for key roles.

The casting process for the iconic villain in The Nightmare Before Christmas was a challenging one. Initially, Vincent Price was chosen to bring the character to life through his voice acting. However, production had to reassess their decision due to circumstances that made it difficult for Price to continue.

Price's personal struggles at the time likely contributed to his inability to commit to the role. It is reported that he was still grieving the loss of his wife, which may have affected his emotional state and, consequently, his performance. This setback led production to explore alternative options for the character.

The search for a suitable voice actor continued with meetings involving Don Ameche and James Earl Jones. Unfortunately, neither actor seemed to be the right fit for the role. In fact, Jones became agitated when composer Danny Elfman revealed that he had written the part specifically for him.

The epilogue featuring Stewart's voice has been largely absent from discussions about the making of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Selick's account of the film's ending doesn't mention Stewart at all, leaving a significant gap in understanding why his recording went unused or when it was made.

The closest insight into what happened comes from Selick's statement that the original plan for the ending involved Santa Claus finishing the poem, but this idea didn't work out and was ultimately scrapped.

It remains unclear whether that" refers to the performance itself or the closing poem, leaving a degree of uncertainty about the extent of Stewart's involvement in the film's development.

Additionally, fans who claim to have heard Stewart reading Tim Burton's original poem on the movie's DVD are misinformed - that feature is actually Christopher Lee's voice reading the poem.

The soundtracks of various films have often provided a unique glimpse into an actor's versatility beyond their typical roles. This is particularly evident in the case of Patrick Stewart, who lent his voice to the 1993 stop-motion classic The Nightmare Before Christmas.

While fans may be familiar with Christopher Lee reading Tim Burton's original poem on the Collector's Edition DVD, Stewart's actual contribution to the film remains a bit more obscure - it can only be found on the soundtrack album.