<Ul> <Li> Chris Sarandon (speaking voice) and Danny Elfman (singing voice) as Jack Skellington, a skeleton known as the "Pumpkin King" of Halloween Town . He owns a ghost dog named Zero, who has a small, glowing jack - o' - lantern nose . Danny Elfman also voices Barrel, one of the trick - or - treaters working for Oogie Boogie . Elfman was initially cast as Jack's singing voice and, after the songs were recorded, Sarandon was cast to match Elfman's voice style . </Li> <Li> Catherine O'Hara as Sally, a rag doll - like creation of Finklestein, and the growing love interest of Jack . She is an amateur toxicologist that uses various types of poison to liberate herself from the captivity of Finklestein . She's also psychic and has premonitions when anything bad is about to happen . O'Hara also voices Shock, one of the trick - or - treaters working for Oogie Boogie . She had previously co-starred in Burton's Beetlejuice (1988). </Li> <Li> William Hickey as Doctor Finklestein, a mad scientist, and the "father" of Sally . He is listed in the credits only as "Evil Scientist" and is only mentioned by name once in the film . </Li> <Li> Glenn Shadix as Mayor of Halloween Town, an enthusiastic leader who conducts town meetings . His wild mood swings from happy to distraught cause his head to spin between a "happy" and "sad" face; where some career politicians are figuratively two - faced, the Mayor is literally so . Burton and Shadix previously worked on Beetlejuice . </Li> <Li> Ken Page as Oogie Boogie, a villainous bogeyman in Halloween Town, who has a passion for gambling . </Li> <Li> Ed Ivory as Santa Claus, the leader of Christmas Town . Santa Claus is responsible for the annual celebration of Christmas, at which time he delivers presents to children around the world . Ivory also does the brief narration at the start of the film . </Li> <Li> Paul Reubens as Lock, one of the trick - or - treaters working for Oogie Boogie . Reubens and Burton previously worked on Pee - wee's Big Adventure (1985) and Batman Returns (1992). </Li> </Ul> <Li> Chris Sarandon (speaking voice) and Danny Elfman (singing voice) as Jack Skellington, a skeleton known as the "Pumpkin King" of Halloween Town . He owns a ghost dog named Zero, who has a small, glowing jack - o' - lantern nose . Danny Elfman also voices Barrel, one of the trick - or - treaters working for Oogie Boogie . Elfman was initially cast as Jack's singing voice and, after the songs were recorded, Sarandon was cast to match Elfman's voice style . </Li> <Li> Catherine O'Hara as Sally, a rag doll - like creation of Finklestein, and the growing love interest of Jack . She is an amateur toxicologist that uses various types of poison to liberate herself from the captivity of Finklestein . She's also psychic and has premonitions when anything bad is about to happen . O'Hara also voices Shock, one of the trick - or - treaters working for Oogie Boogie . She had previously co-starred in Burton's Beetlejuice (1988). </Li> <Li> William Hickey as Doctor Finklestein, a mad scientist, and the "father" of Sally . He is listed in the credits only as "Evil Scientist" and is only mentioned by name once in the film . </Li>

How long did it take to make the movie the nightmare before christmas