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As requested from a twitter follower, I put together this feature of a little known radio show. Most of what I could find centers on the star of the show, Joan Gerber.
On radio, she was the voice of “The Story Lady,” in a 1968 series of two-minute shorts syndicated by Mel Blanc Superfun Productions.
Her career spanned all manner of voice acting, even making frequent stops on, Adventures in Odyssey
This is what their Wiki page had to say:
Joan Gerber was an American voice actress for a variety of cartoons, perhaps being best known as the voice of Mrs. Beeakly on DuckTales.
Gerber showed a faithfulness to Adventures in Odyssey from the very beginning and voiced many minor roles over the course of the program. These include Teresa Rossini (#6: “The Day After Christmas”), Audrey Nelson (#51 – #52: “Connie”), Mrs. Erskine (#300: “Preacher’s Kid”), Vivian Birch (#340 – #341: “Pokenberry Falls, R.F.D.”), and several others.
Interestingly, Gerber often acted in Barclay family episodes as an antagonist (or at least a challenger) to Donna, playing the roles of Grace (#32: “Family Vacation, Part 2”), Mary Hooper (#72: “An Encounter with Mrs. Hooper”), Mrs. Erskine (#300: “Preacher’s Kid”), etc.
Gerber died on August 22, 2011.
From the Disney Wikki
Years active: 1959–2000
Spouse: Frank Dowse (1957-1961) (
divorced)Children: One daughter
Disney Roles Include (visit the Disney page for full information):
- 1978: Christmas at Walt Disney World (TV): Evil Fairy (voice)
- 1982: Tron: Solar Sailer (video game): Bit (voice) (as Joannie Gerber)
- 1987: DuckTales: Treasure of the Golden Suns (TV): Mrs. Beakley / Skittles’ Mother (voice)
- 1987: DuckTales (TV series): Mrs. Beakley, Glittering Goldie, additional voices (voice)
- 1989: Super DuckTales (TV): Mrs. Beakley (voice)
- 1990: DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp: Mrs. Beakley (voice)
- 1990: Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers: Zsa Zsa Labrador (voice)
- 1990: TaleSpin: Helga (voice)
- 1992: Darkwing Duck: Additional voices
- 1992: The Little Mermaid: Babies (voice)
- 1993: Goof Troop: Teacher (voice) (as Joanie Gerber)
Joan’s diverse career even found her working with the Muppets.
The Muppet Wiki had this to add:
Joan Gerber was a veteran voice actress who provided several animated character voices in the early seasons of Sesame Street, notably as Alice Braithwaite Goodyshoes and in such inserts as one in which four people cooperate to build a table.
Active since the 1960s, Gerber was In 1965, a regular on Roger Ramjet, as Dee, Lotta Love, and all other genuine female voices )working with Gary Owens, Bob Arbogast, Jim Thurman, David Ketchum, and Gene Moss).
Episode 1:
Again, working with Gary Owens, Bob Arbogast, Jim Thurman, David Ketchum, and Gene Moss). In 1968, the year after the film was released, she played Bonnie Parker in the comedy album The Funny Side of Bonnie and Clyde.
On her own page on Wikipedia, more of her career appearances can be found.
Among her work, where she provided voices for a variety of cartoons. Her most challenging voice role was “all the children in a Japanese train wreck” for a Godzilla television episode. She voiced Freddy the Flute for H.R. Pufnstuf, which she identified as a favorite role. She was described as talented and possessing a “golden throat” and a “splendid singing voice”.
As found on her Wiki page, here’s more of her roles (visit the page for a full listing):
- 1959: Matty’s Funday Funnies (TV series): Additional Voices
- 1960: The Bugs Bunny Show (TV series): Additional voices
- 1965: Corn on the Cop: Granny, Ghost Trick-or-Treater (voice)
- 1966: The Pique Poquette of Paris: Woman (voice)
- 1969: The Pink Panther Show (TV series): Voices
- 1970: Pufnstuf: Dowager Tree, Granddaughter Clock (voice)
- 1970: Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp (TV series): Mata Hairi (voice)
- 1970: The Bugaloos (TV, various)
- 1971: Lidsville (TV, various)
- 1971: Help!… It’s the Hair Bear Bunch! (TV series, voice)
- 1972: Wait Till Your Father Gets Home (TV series): Sara Whitaker / Irma Boyle (voice)
- 1972: The Barkleys (TV series): Agnes Barkley/ Lulu (voice)
- 1972: The New Scooby-Doo Movies (TV series)
- 1972: The Houndcats (TV series): Various (voice)
- 1973: Charlotte’s Web: Mrs. Zuckerman / Mrs. Fussy (voice)
- 1974: The Badge and the Beautiful (voice)
- 1974: The Magical Mystery Trip Through Little Red’s Head (TV): Mother / Adeline / Diane (voice)
- 1974: The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (voice)
- 1974: These Are the Days (TV series, voice)
- 1974: Partridge Family 2200 A.D. (TV series): Shirley Partridge (voice)
- 1975: The Oddball Couple (TV series): Goldie (voice)
- 1976: The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour (TV series, voice)
- 1976: The Pink Panther Laugh and the Half Hour and Half Show (TV series): Various characters (voice)
- 1977: Fred Flintstone and Friends (TV series, voice)
- 1977: I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali (TV series, voice)
- 1978: Dynomutt, Dog Wonder (TV series): Additional Voices (voice)
- 1978: Fantastic Four (TV series, voice)
- 1978: The All-New Pink Panther Show (TV series, voice)
Featured in the show are these moments with the Story Lady, and her fun, innocent, irreverent, and sometimes adult targeted humor.
- 1968 – (000) – Story Lady with Hangover.
- 1968 – (001) – The Brave Little Tailor.
- 1968 – (002) – Romeo and Juliet.
- 1968 – (003) – The Magic Cloak.
- 1968 – (004) – The Tortoise and the Hare.
- 1968 – (005) – The Lonely Elf.
- 1968 – (006) – The Frog and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
- 1968 – (007) – The Frog Prince.
- 1968 – (008) – Tom Thumb.
- 1968 – (009) – The Princess and the Pea.
- 1968 – (010) – Rumpelstilskin.
- 1968 – (011) – The Poor Shoemaker.
- 1968 – (012) – The Emperors New Clothes.
- 1968 – (013) – Hansel and Gretel.
- 1968 – (014) – Casey at the Bat.
- 1968 – (015) – The Enchanted Tree.
- 1968 – (016) – Johnny Appleseed.
- 1968 – (017) – The Little Tailor.
- 1968 – (018) – The Magic Needle.
- 1968 – (019) – The Prince and the Enchanted Snail.
- 1968 – (020) – The Violin and the Princess.
- 1968 – (021) – The Little Toy Soldier.
- 1968 – (022) – King Midas and the Golden Touch.
- 1968 – (023) – Blackbird Pie.
- 1968 – (024) – Hobgoblin and the Beautiful Lady.
- 1968 – (025) – Beauty and the Beast.
- 1968 – (026) – Princess Edna and the Knight.
- 1968 – (027) – The Giant and the Tadpole.
- 1968 – (028) – Harold and the Magic Chicken Salad.
- 1968 – (029) – Lady Your Sign Fell Down.
- 1968 – (030) – The Fisherman and His Wife.
- 1968 – (031) – The Real King.
- 1968 – (032) – The Magic Suitcase.
- 1968 – (033) – The Princess and the Pig.
- 1968 – (034) – The Genie and the Wine Bottle.
- 1968 – (035) – The Format Change.mp3
