Need Song of the South advice!!

[goofyandmore]

I have been looking on ebay and some other ad site for the movie Song of the South for my son for Christmas. I know I need it in the American video format. I have seen 2 different offers at ebay and this other similar site: one where the seller has copied the tape from a lazer disk and claims that this is a very clear copy but there are japanese subtitles at part of the songs and two, some sellers are offering to sell a pal tape that they have converted by video dealers they know and they claim that the price is right and the dealer has done a great job for them.

I know I can also buy it through the UK and get a pal tape and converted tape for a total of $72 but that sounds too expensive.

Also, from what I have heard from local video dealers, the problem is that in the conversion process, sometimes there are light fluctuations that result that can be annoying. So, even if I buy the $72 tapes, I do I know that the conversion they used is clear.

Can anybody give me some guidance here? The prices on ebay are so different, one person is offering to sell the pal for $1 but why would they?

Thanks, Carolyn from NJ aigjr@aol.com

[seashoreCM]

Put it simply, there is no such thing as an original Song of the South home videotape in U.S. (NTSC) format.

It is reported although I am not sure, the regular original Song of the South (PAL, European format) is somewhat copy resistant so converting it is a hit or miss proposition.

Your best bet is to find someone who has a money back guarantee. You can buy the original on E-Bay and find a local video production house (some wedding videographers can do it too) who will offer a money back guarantee for the conversion copy only.

The one dollar E-Bay seller is counting on enough bids so it sells for much more. If he is unlucky and has not set a reserve price, well, the lucky buyer gets it for one dollar plus shipping.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

[goofyandmore]

Thanks Seashore, so you don't like the lazer disk copy idea? Carolyn

[d-r]

I was given a copy of it a couple of years ago, and it works fine. It is a copy of the UK tape, with the clamshell and original UK tape as well.

All I know is, someone continually spams on r.a.d.p. wanting to sell copies of it, and everytime someone called the "Fabulouse disney babe" offers to give free copies of it to anyone who wants it. If you don't use a newsreader, you should go to google.com and search the newsgroups.

DR

[d-r]

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&threadm=AG2D7.494200%248c3.86675230%40typhoon.tamp abay.rr.com&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Dremus%26hl%3Den%26btnG%3DGoogle%2BSea rch%26meta%3Dgroup%253Drec.arts.disney.parks


http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&threadm=skkpat4mktbudha718d3g2v85siftetd5e%404ax.c om&rnum=9&prev=/groups%3Fq%3Dsong%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsouth%26hl%3Den%26b tnG%3DGoogle%2BSearch%26meta%3Dgroup%253Dalt.disne y.disneyland


http://groups.google.com/groups?q=g:thl479540352d&hl=en&selm=20010305185819.02334.00001604%40ng-mq1.aol.com

[Mooobooks]

I recall quite vividly standing in a shop in Tokyo holding the Song of the South laser disc in my hand, wondering if I should buy it (this was around 1990). Nah! I'll always be able to get one later.
Duh.
Anyway, someone making a VHS NTSC taped dub directly from the Japanese laser disc will provide you with a MUCH clearer and MUCH sharper (and better sounding) copy than if it is made from the UK PAL resale videotape. One of the problems in converting PAL to NTSC is that you are going from 600 horizontal scan lines to 400. There are usually odd wiggles in the horizontal scan lines every now and then in dubs because of that. Since the Japanese laser disc is NTSC, and provides a much clearer picture than the PAL videotape, a dub DIRECTLY from the laser disc is the way to go.
Be careful, though, because what you do NOT want is the guy to make you a dub from a VHS copy he's already made from his laser disc, because that will look lousy.
All of this is highly illegal, of course. Disney owns a valid copyright on this film and ANY copies that are made and sold from either the PAL videotape, or the Japanese laser disc, are illegal. Why Disney allows this sort of sale to continue on eBay is a mystery, since it's not even a gray area--it is illegal. Period.
Good luck!

[ozarkbill]

Actually, the theory is that the owner of an original tape can make as many backup copies for personal use as they want to as long as they do not distribute them to other than the orginal owner. Since you are buying an original tape, you are entitled to a backup copy.

Since Disney dosen't see fit to make the movie available to those in the US, I can't see any problem with it personally.

[papagooch]

I recently ordered one of the conversions from
the UK. We haven't noticed any quality problems
in the picture. The only problem was that it was
supposed to be a Christmas gift for my wife and
she knew what it was as soon as the mailman
arrived and said she had to sign for a package
from England.

[goofyandmore]

Thanks for the responses! D-R, I emailed that disney babe and hope to get a reply. I didn't even know about that site. Moobooks, I am still confused about the lazer dis-how do they get it on lazer disc in the first place? Don't they still have to get it from a pal tape since it isn't on the american vhs version? thanks again, Carolyn

[Mooobooks]

Ozark Bill's comment is just the type of thing that can get you in trouble. It doesn't matter whether Disney sees fit to distribute the movie in the US or not--they still own it and it is illegal to make a copy and sell it.
The laser discs from Japan were licensed by Disney, so they are official: they were on the market BEFORE the PAL tapes in the UK. They will make a far superior videotaped copy than the PAL tapes in NTSC

[radiomarlowe]

Mostly a lurker to the board here, but I was in my local Ruby Tuesday's the other night and sat underneath an original movie poster for the film. I mentioned to our waiter that its worth a bit of money and aksed him to get the manager, because I might be willing to take it off their hands, if it ever becomes a burden (yes the "Tar Baby" is on the poster). Afte about 10 minutes waiting for the manager to never show we left. Its is my every intention to own that poster, and hopefully a copy of the flick! Cheers!:D

[goofyandmore]

I hear you Radiomarlowe!! If you find a reliable way to get a the tape in US format at a reasonable price, please let me know. Chistmas is coming too fast!! Carolyn from NJ

[seashoreCM]

Funny that Disney is commemorating the 55'th anniversary of Song of the South (I bought that pin at MGM Studios) yet the average Joe can't go out and buy or rent that flick to enjoy at home.

Could Disney be laying low amidst all those bootleg copies because Disney would like to have people enjoying the movie but not want to be seen as the party up front distributing "racist material"?

I was never into mixed animation and live action (Roger Rabbit, etc.) until I bought Song of the South, the laser disk.

[Sorcerer_Matt]

Hi,
I bought the Tokyo version from a vendor in the Hilton Head Island Mall at Shelter Cove. He wasn't a permanent vendor, but I bought it for $25. It does have Japanese subtitles when songs are being sung, but I can deal with that. The picture is very good, but not regular video quality. Good luck.
-Matt

[goofyandmore]

To Mat and all,

Do you think that the tape you bought was a copy from the lazer disk? I have heard mixed reviews-some say the laser disk is clearer but maybe it wasn't copied from the laser disk but copied from the vcr. Did you like the movie? thanks, Carolyn

[ozarkbill]

Sorry, Mooobooks, not trying to get anyone in trouble. The point I was making is that they are selling an ORIGINAL. Just one you can't use. You are also paying them to make a copy of YOUR original, which you as the owner are entitled to do.

Lots of little legal loopy-holes--so far such use has been upheld.

Bottom line is that Disney got the royalties on the title. No one lost any cash and we get to see a film classic.

Now, if Disney would release the movie here, some people would gripe, but they would make a load of money that they could build us some new E-ticket rides with.

[All Aboard]

I have no idea if these are legal or not. Nor can I give an opinion of my own. I got this link from these boards some time ago and did read some positive comments from people who ordered. I'm posting just for reference:

Try this Link (http://www.confederatesupply.com/Music/Music.htm)

[JeffJewell]

...different VHS copies of Song of the South, both conversions of the PAL format tape. One is nearly unwatchable, one is almost perfect.

The conversion _can_ be done with excellence, but is not always done so. If you're going to pay money for this, try to get a look at the converted tape, first.

Jeff

[goofyandmore]

Jeff and all, where did you get your tapes? How do I distinguish between the bad copy and good one before actually seeing it? Thanks for your help, Carolyn

[goofyandmore]

Does anyone know how much the tape is going for in England in the retail stores? thanks, Carolyn

[Testtrack321]

I don't know if this is normal, but I had a dream that I went to Tokyo Disneyland and *bought* Song of the South on video/DVD/LaserDisk. And many of you guys almost did or did! OOOHHH! Scary....

[Sorcerer_Matt]

Carolyn,

Mine was copied from a laser disc, because half way through the movie it pauses and switches to a blue screen which says "End of Side One." Then continues with the movie.
But it is still a really good quality tape. Hope this helps.
-Matt

[mrgoofy]

I remember hearing somewhere that SOTS would be available this winter in Japan. Has anyone else heard this?? I've searched through the amazon.com sites for the UK, and Japan and all I can find is the PAL VHS in the UK.

[goofyandmore]

Hi all, I finally got the Song of the South tape in its' disney blue case with a hologram from a client's mom who lives in England and she found it for me and sent it by mail. It was about $20-25 American dollars. But listen to this- I went to that site on the net I think it's called song of the south.net and it had been selling the pal tape and conversion copy for $72 but now it's about $144 because they wrote that disney has deleted the title (tape) and now the tape is much more rare. So, anybody who is on the fence should get it now. Maybe the amazon.com uk site is cheaper. I needed it for Christmas so I couldn't get it through them. I may not have it converted because I found out that there are vcr's that are universal and not all are expensive. Also, there is something you can do to the machine to make it play pal tapes. Merry Christmas! Carolyn from NJ

[seashoreCM]

A plain NTSC VCR will not play PAL tapes period.

When shopping for a universal VCR, note that some of them will play PAL tapes only into a PAL TV (you will have to buy a new, PAL, TV as well) and NTSC tapes only into a NTSC TV. Some will play both kinds of tapes into both kinds of TV's (you can use your existing TV for both kinds' of tape playback).

[goofyandmore]

Thanks for the info, but I wasn't talking about a plain vcr. I hope everyone out there who is interested in getting the original song of the south tape with the blue case with hologram and mickey imprint do it soon since according to that song of the south.net site, disney has deleted that tape even in England so the tapes are getting scarce. Good luck all and Merry Christmas!

[year2late]

We got our PAL SOS (new) from EBAY for around $20 (plus postage). It cost $20 to convert. The person who converted it from PAL to VHS told me they were allowed to legally copy it once.

The copy was great!

[goofyandmore]

Year2late, thanks for the post and congratulations on your video. Buying it from a store such as I did in England, or from ebay where you are guaranteed satisfaction is the safe way to do it. With all due respect to the dis poster who emailed me direct, I did not feel comfortable buying the video from an individual who I do not know and sending the money to them first when they are not backed up by any store or other service such as ebay. I really really appreciate the help I received from this board. One person told me about a store in Florida that sells the tapes and others let me know other places that sold them. Those people were not looking to make a profit on me just to help. THanks, Carolyn

[illuminations25]

Word has it that Song Of The South may finally be released here in the US. Disney has added the title to it's online catalog of videos and has assigned it a UPC and ISBN number. I haven't been able to find out if the UPC and ISBN numbers are from international releases or perhaps for a future US release.

If anyone has an internationl release perhaps you could compare the ISBN numbers and UPC numbers and see if they are indeed the same as listed on the website, or if this is a hint that the movie may be released here in the US at last. :)

Here's a link: Song Of The South Disney Video Catalog (http://psc.disney.go.com/disneyvideos/moviefinder/products/0153103.html)

[hopemax]

Everyone who has any interest in Song of the South should click on that link. There is a link on the page where it says "If you would like to see Disney release this in the future on video and DVD, click here to let us know. "

Send those requests, and maybe if demand is large enough they will release it.

[goofyandmore]

Wow, illuminations25 and hopemax, thanks for that site and your posts. I checked it out and the upc number is not the same as the UPC number on my pal video of Song of the South that I received from England. I had previously called Disney entertainment and they have been getting alot of requests for this movie. I just mentioned in my vote for the release of the movie at that site, that it makes no sense not to. Gone with the Wind is a great movie but it too had a character(s) who was an African American slave. I don't think that either movie suggests that slavery was a good thing. I for one, detest the notion of slavery, but that's not what Song of the South or Gone with the Wind is primarily about, nor do the films promote it.

I wrote to disney stating that the only people they are helping by not releasing the film in the USA are those people making a bundle off of unfortunate disney fans.

Thanks again for the site and your posts. Carolyn