Have you read the article in Orlando Sentinel that Disney is possibality considering the release of the movie "Song of the South"?
The movie "Song of the South" was made in 1946. 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 was re-shown in theaters in 1956, 1972 and 1986.
Did you know out of print international copies routinely sell online for $50-$90, some even more than $100?
The film's release for theater or dvd/home sales can and may spark debates.
Did you know that nearly 115,000 people have signed an online petition, that urges Disney to make the movie available? Keep in mind this movie would be a big sellar for Disney.
One of my favorite Magic Kingdom attractions "Splash Mountain" is based on this movie. I love the storyline that Disney tells along with the ride. I love the song Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (as a matter of fact it is stuck in my head right now).
James Pappas, associate professor of African-American Studies at the University of New York at Buffalo recently said this (quoted from the Sentinel) "In today's environment, 'Song of the South' probably doesn't have a lot of meaning, especially to the younger audiences. Older audiences probably would have more of a connection with the stereotypes, which were considered harmless at the time."
From the scenes of the movie I have seen, I can certainly understand how it can be interpeted as a rascist movie.
But I honestly do not believe that this movie was made with the intention to be racist. But then that is just my opinion. What do you think?
Disney has never revealed the date that the movie takes place either, we are not sure if it is before or after the Cival War.
When he answered 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 (Bob Iger) made the movie's 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."
I have never seen this movie, as I am sure many of you have not seen it. I for one would like to see it, as since I like Splash Mountain so much, a chance to see this movie for this Disney fan would be cool. Would you like to see this movie?
Here is the link to the Sentinel article, also on the page near the bottom is a link to read comments about the article and the movie.:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disneysouth032407,0,1174004.story?coll=orl-home-promo
Here is a link to Christian Willis "Song of the South" fansite:
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Comments: 22
Ron let us know after you think about it.
Me also Lisa, I have seen a few scenes on TV for a Disney documentary, but that's it.
Part of what I antcipate to be a problem is that they probably portray a lot of things that would never pass in any movie today. They don't do face painting to acheive a black person, but I imagine they do other things to portray what people thought of black American's at the time.
I don't think they did it to poke fun at the time, but to portray them as American saw them, as other films portrayed them.
I'd be very interested in seeing the movie in full, though, which is why I am all for releasing it.
I would love to see this movie released.
I'd like to see this released.
http://www.onlyclassicmovies.com/OnlyClassicFavoritesSongofthesouth.html
Thanks Jody.
Me also Lisa, but what will I do with my VHS?
Thanks for your comment Theresa ;-)
Steve thanks for your comment. I do think this should be released.