[Ready2Go]

Real Full Story here: Despite controversy, Disney could unlock 'Song of the South' - Orlando Sentinel : Business



Walt Disney Co.'s 1946 film "Song of the South" was historic. It was Disney's first big live-action picture and produced one of the company's most famous songs -- the Oscar-winning "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." It also carries the story line of the Splash Mountain rides at its theme parks.

But the movie remains hidden in the Disney archives -- never released on video in the United States and criticized as racist for its depiction of Southern plantation blacks. The film's 60th anniversary passed last year without a whisper of official rerelease, which is unusual for Disney, but President and CEO Bob Iger recently said the company was reconsidering.

The film's reissue would surely spark debate, but it could also sell big. Nearly 115,000 people have signed an online petition urging Disney to make the movie available, and out-of-print international copies routinely sell online for $50-$90, some even more than $100.

Iger was answering a shareholder's inquiry about the movie for the second year in a row at Disney's annual meeting in New Orleans. This month the Disney chief made a rerelease sound more possible.

"The question of 'Song of the South' comes up periodically, in fact it was raised at last year's annual meeting ..." Iger said. "And since that time, we've decided to take a look at it again because we've had numerous requests about bringing it out. Our concern was that a film that was made so many decades ago being brought out today perhaps could be either misinterpreted or that it would be somewhat challenging in terms of providing the appropriate context."

"Song of the South" was re-shown in theaters in 1956, 1972 and 1986. Both animated and live-action, it tells the story of a young white boy, Johnny, who goes to live on his grandparents' Georgia plantation when his parents split up. Johnny is charmed by Uncle Remus -- a popular black servant -- and his fables of Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox, which are actual black folk tales.

[alicefan]

Since Splash Mountain is my favorite ride I always wanted to see SotS. I looked for it over the years and you can get it on places like Ebay for a very hefty price. I guess I wasn't really aware of the fact that it was controversial. I was hoping it was something I could watch with my son but I don't want him to see it if it is racist.......

I even wince at the part in Peter Pan where they have a song about Native Indians.......these movies were made so long ago and some haven't stood the test of time as far as social awareness.

I wonder if they will actually release it.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by alicefan

Since Splash Mountain is my favorite ride I always wanted to see SotS. I looked for it over the years and you can get it on places like Ebay for a very hefty price. I guess I wasn't really aware of the fact that it was controversial. I was hoping it was something I could watch with my son but I don't want him to see it if it is racist.......

I even wince at the part in Peter Pan where they have a song about Native Indians.......these movies were made so long ago and some haven't stood the test of time as far as social awareness.

I wonder if they will actually release it.

I hope they do. It was one of the first films I ever remember seeing. That and Flipper's New Adventure... I don't think it was racist at all. Not anymore than other films at the time. In fact, I thinks Gone With The Wind had more stereotypes portrayed in a negative fashion than Song of the South.. But since an Oscar was won for Best Supporting Acrtress, no one looks askance at Butterfly McQueen's or Hattie McDaniel's lines

I do remember watching Song of the South on T.V. back in '94. "course, it was in Germany. And it was in German. "Lachender Platz".

But times were different then. Looking back, I'm surprised my parent's let me watch H.R. Puff-n-Stuff...

[Erin]

I think it could be an opportunity to teach our children about what some of the social issues we have in our country in a way they could understand.

If they asked our wondered about the 'black servant' thing, I would tell them it is a part of history that is shameful, but true, and tie it into some things they've already learned. They probably wouldn't notice it though.

It shouldn't define the movie. Uncle Remus was loved and his stories are what the movie is about. That shouldn't be ignored. It's not a movie about slavery or one that celebrates slavery.

They are actual stories that were told - it's a PART of history.

[Cynsayshi]

I agree, the movie should be released. I saw it as a child during the 1972 release and haven't seen it since, but if I remember correctly, the most honest and sympathetic character was Uncle Remus. Despite the stereotypical dialect, which was certainly prevalent in many other movies of the day that have been released, and is consistent with the writing in the Uncle Remus stories on which the movie is based, I liked the story of the movie. And frankly, the live-action is just dressing for the animated stories, anyway.

[Screever]

My mom remembers watching it as a little girl, and probably liked it at the time, but she has since shunned it a little and called in politically incorrect...at least that is how today's society would understand it. She's always been sensitive to this sort of thing, though.

I would love to see it out of curiosity, honestly. I thought a friend of mine actually had the VHS, I wish she would bring it back whe she returns from spring break!

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Experiment6-2-6

I hope they do. It was one of the first films I ever remember seeing. That and Flipper's New Adventure... I don't think it was racist at all. Not anymore than other films at the time. In fact, I thinks Gone With The Wind had more stereotypes portrayed in a negative fashion than Song of the South.. But since an Oscar was won for Best Supporting Acrtress, no one looks askance at Butterfly McQueen's or Hattie McDaniel's lines

I do remember watching Song of the South on T.V. back in '94. "course, it was in Germany. And it was in German. "Lachender Platz".

But times were different then. Looking back, I'm surprised my parent's let me watch H.R. Puff-n-Stuff...

H.R. Puff-n-Stuff!!! That was like an acid trip! Not that I would know at all! I just assume that is what it would be like!

[unamadreditre]

My brother has a copy that we watched not too long ago. I could barely remember any of the story line from when I watched it as a kid. It was really cool to be able to see it again. It made riding Splash Mountain even more fun when you're familiar with the characters.

[Ready2Go]

Originally Posted by alicefan

H.R. Puff-n-Stuff!!! That was like an acid trip! Not that I would know at all! I just assume that is what it would be like!

Sure ya do

[dznygrl]

Oh I hope they release it! SotS is such a great movie!!!

[timkelmom]

I would love to see it as I never have. It would make the ride more enjoyable if I had a connection to the characters.

I hope they release it.

[chastmastr]

I do hope they release it -- I think they would be able to do it with relevant commentary and special features dealing with the social context. On the metal-box archives of various old cartoons (Silly Symphonies, the old Mickey shorts, etc.) they have a special section with Leonard Maltin (Malten? Malted??) explaining the historical context of some of them, because some of the things -- blackface characters exclaiming "Mammy!" in imitation of Al Jolson as well as many things with nothing to do with stereotypes and such -- are startling and jarring to modern sensibilities, so I am sure Disney could do it with SotS. (I must honestly say that apart from anything to do with slavery, stereotypes etc. I think the live-action sequences just aren't very interesting compared with the adventures of Brer Rabbit. )

David

[WishUponAStar]

It needs to be released. Just 'cause you throw something into a big black box somewhere doesn't make it go away. It was a film, an important Disney film, and I think people should see it.

[Daisee]

[quote=alicefan I guess I wasn't really aware of the fact that it was controversial. I was hoping it was something I could watch with my son but I don't want him to see it if it is racist....... [/QUOTE]

We have a copy. My husband got a bootleg copy several years ago at a flea market.

I do not think it is controversial or racist. It is a good story that should be shared by all. The African America man befriends 2 little boys and teaches them lessons about life. How can that be wrong or racist. There is no foul, inappropriate, or racist language at all. As with any other movie, song, video, lyric, etc. if it offends you, dont watch it. It was one of Walt's favorite movies.. and we all know how Walt felt.

Just my 2 cents......

[diisneygeek]

I have those old Disney Sing-A-Long tapes, and one of them has the Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah song from SotS. I have never seen the movie, but I want to!! I hope they release it.