This is a very hard to find framed photo of Cliff Edwards, the original voice of Jiminy Cricket. It is accompanied by a CD of his music, for he was a very successful and talented singer named "Ukelele Ike" prior to being the voice for Jiminy. The CD is out of print and is part of the Disney archive of music. The CD is sealed and numbered edition 02467. How special!
Cliff began his singing career at age14 and he sold more than 74 million records! When he added a ukulele to his singing act, he was dubbed "Ukelele Ike." He also appeared in more than 100 motion pictures as well. During the 1930's and early l940's he was a much sought after actor in Hollywood. His singing and film roles caught Disney's eye and he was cast as the voice of Jiminy Cricket in the Disney film, "Pinocchio." He sang the song "When You Wish Upon A Star" in the film and it won an oscar for best song in 1940. It became the theme of the Disney corporation. Cliff also was the voice of Jim Crow in the animated feature "Dumbo" . Unfortunately, despite his successes, he went bankrupt several times due to a multitude of reasons- income tax trouble, alimony payments, gambling, alcoholism and drug addiction. His stardom faded in the l950's and 60's and he died broke and on welfare in l971. How sad for such a talented man.
