Why Disney won't re-release 'Song of the South' - Page 2

Bahimiron · 03-15-2007, 10:14 AM

Brer Rabbit comes from the hare tales of central Africa, which themselves come from the considerably less cuddly stories of Anansi, the trickster spider god. The tarbaby story, in particular, is one of the most well known of Anansi's stories. Then again, if the old stories are to be believed, Anansi's secretly the star of every myth and fable because he's the King of All Stories.

In America, Brother Rabbit's stories also probably came to borrow some from the American Indian stories of Grandfather Coyote who, while as clever as Anansi, is often seen as more of a jokester buffoon character.

As for the racist qualities of the movie, Rochester from the old Jack Benny show has as bad an accent as any character in Song of the South. The only thing that Song of the South does to offend is that it really downplays the tension between whites and blacks at this point in American history. However, it's a kid's movie, not a History Channel documentary.

I agree with the person above that they should just go ahead and release it, but slap on some PC documentaries. Though instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the many positive aspects of the movie. Baskett won an Oscar for the film. The first black actor in history to do so. This in a society which was still so racist that though he won an Oscar, he couldn't attend the ceremony because no hotel in the area would rent a room to a black man. That's pretty amazing. It's like the guy said, for the time that this movie was made (1946, sixty years ago!) it was amazingly progressive.

In any anthropology class, one of the first things they teach you is not to judge the past by the ethos of the present. That needs to apply to things like this. Unfortunately, it can't, cos we live in a society where people get their feelings hurt and feel the need to sue ten times a day.

Oh well.

GoofTroop3 · 03-15-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolbyman

all releases on dvd's out there are illegal pirate bootlegs

Ok, but I have a VHS tape. Is Disney selling the movie outside the U.S.?

snuffieslady626 · 03-22-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firemedic

People read WAY too much into this movie. Disney should re-release it and if someone has a problem with it, they don't have to watch it. Just sit down and shut up!

I agree! There are a lot of "things" that offend me out there. SO I USE MY GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO AVOID THEM!! WOW Imagine that! I actually take the matter into my own hands and avoid it. I don't boycot, scream & **ss & moan! People need to start acting like adults not 2 year olds. Dont like, dont watch it. OR How 'bout this....watch it & explain to your children that this was a different time & era for our country. Explain why & explain that these are just stories. GET A GRIP AMERICA

Timbo · 03-28-2007, 10:16 PM

Disney Could Unlock `Song of the South'

Mar 27, 4:53 PM (ET)
By TRAVIS REED

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - 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 provided the inspiration for the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's 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.
================================================== ========================================

For the full story, click here: http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/200...D8O4O9280.html

Timbo · 03-30-2007, 07:37 PM

More on this story from the HUB at lsj.com:
================================================== =================
Published March 29, 2007
Disney may unlock 'Song of the South'

By Travis Reed | Associated Press

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 provided the inspiration for the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's 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.

================================================== =================
For the full story, click here: http://hub.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/THINGS0107/703290321/1104/HUB

03-28-2007, 10:16 PM	#19
Timbo Fastpass Holder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 398	Disney Could Unlock `Song of the South' Disney Could Unlock `Song of the South' Mar 27, 4:53 PM (ET) By TRAVIS REED ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - 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 provided the inspiration for the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's 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. ================================================== ======================================== For the full story, click here: http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/200...D8O4O9280.html

03-30-2007, 07:37 PM	#20
Timbo Fastpass Holder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 398	More on this from the HUB More on this story from the HUB at lsj.com: ================================================== ================= Published March 29, 2007 Disney may unlock 'Song of the South' By Travis Reed \| Associated Press 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 provided the inspiration for the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's 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. ================================================== ================= For the full story, click here: http://hub.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/THINGS0107/703290321/1104/HUB

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-15-2007, 10:14 AM	#16
Bahimiron A-Ticket holder Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 47	Brer Rabbit comes from the hare tales of central Africa, which themselves come from the considerably less cuddly stories of Anansi, the trickster spider god. The tarbaby story, in particular, is one of the most well known of Anansi's stories. Then again, if the old stories are to be believed, Anansi's secretly the star of every myth and fable because he's the King of All Stories. In America, Brother Rabbit's stories also probably came to borrow some from the American Indian stories of Grandfather Coyote who, while as clever as Anansi, is often seen as more of a jokester buffoon character. As for the racist qualities of the movie, Rochester from the old Jack Benny show has as bad an accent as any character in Song of the South. The only thing that Song of the South does to offend is that it really downplays the tension between whites and blacks at this point in American history. However, it's a kid's movie, not a History Channel documentary. I agree with the person above that they should just go ahead and release it, but slap on some PC documentaries. Though instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the many positive aspects of the movie. Baskett won an Oscar for the film. The first black actor in history to do so. This in a society which was still so racist that though he won an Oscar, he couldn't attend the ceremony because no hotel in the area would rent a room to a black man. That's pretty amazing. It's like the guy said, for the time that this movie was made (1946, sixty years ago!) it was amazingly progressive. In any anthropology class, one of the first things they teach you is not to judge the past by the ethos of the present. That needs to apply to things like this. Unfortunately, it can't, cos we live in a society where people get their feelings hurt and feel the need to sue ten times a day. Oh well.