The Haunted Mansion is, in my opinion, the most iconic of all the Disney attractions between Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Stepping into the house and entering the stretching room, then walking towards the doom buggy area and rolling through the hallways and different areas. There is so much to see and so many parts that fans love for many different reasons. Even the differences between the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World versions of the Haunted Mansion always give fans things to discuss about the ride. While there are 999 Happy Haunts in the house, some of these ghosts stand out more than others and have names and even backstories. This week, I’m going to introduce you to The Singing Busts in the graveyard scene.
After “falling” out of the attic, you find yourself in the graveyard of the Haunted Mansion. Upon looking around, you see ghosts everywhere. Some are in a band, some just pop up to try to scare you, there is a mummy drinking tea and even a couple riding bikes. The overlying music you hear in the graveyard is “Grim Grinning Ghosts” which was composed by Buddy Baker and the lyrics were written by X Atencio. Next, you come to a section where you see 5 busts, 5 singing busts. But do you know the names of The Phantom Five?
From left to right…
Rolo Rumkin: (voiced by Verne Rowe) – His name is a tribute to imagineer Rolly Crump who created the never built Museum of the Weird, he is also the only Singing Bust who serves as a tribute to an imagineer.
Uncle Theodore: (voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft) – Theodore is often misidentified of being portrayed by Walt Disney due to the passing resemblance which Thurl Ravenscroft and Walt Disney share. Despite being the lead singer of the busts, he is the only one of the five to have never received a tombstone. Thurl Ravenscroft was the real life lead singer of the Mellomen whom the Singing Busts are semi-officially named after.
Cousin Algernon: (voiced by Chuck Schroeder) – He is the only Singing Bust not to be featured in Phantom Manor. He is also the only singing bust that is wearing a hat.
Ned Nub: (voiced by Jay Meyer) – Ned Nub is the only one of the singing busts to not have carvings of clothing on him.
Phineas P. Pock: (voiced by Bob Ebright) – His name is a popular one throughout the Haunted Mansion Franchise and has been used in radio, tombstones, the author of a real world book and was featured in some deleted concepts.
So now the next time you go through the Haunted Mansion graveyard scene, you’ll be able to put names to the faces—or rather, the busts—that are serenading you. The Singing Busts, or “The Phantom Five,” aren’t just an entertaining detail in the ride; they’re a perfect example of how Imagineering layers personality and hidden tributes into even the smallest parts of an attraction.
They give the graveyard scene more than just music—they add character, humor, and even a bit of lore. Whether it’s Rolo Rumkin nodding to a legendary Imagineer, Uncle Theodore leading with his booming bass voice, or Phineas P. Pock connecting to Haunted Mansion stories beyond the ride itself, each bust has a role that keeps fans talking and theorizing.
It’s little touches like this that make The Haunted Mansion endlessly rewatchable, re-rideable, and re-discussable. Even after all these years, Disney fans are still uncovering fun trivia, hidden connections, and clever details that make the attraction a true classic.
So the next time your doom buggy drifts into the graveyard, listen closely—you’ll know exactly who’s singing “Grim Grinning Ghosts” as the party continues.
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