Why no Song??

[churchmouselady]

When I was growing up one of my favorite movies was Disney's Song of the South. I still love the songs and the Uncle Remus stories (as well as Splash Mountain)! I have been trying to find out for years why there is no release date for this movie in any format. At one time it could be purchased from Ebay (though usually with Japanese subtitles) but I have not been able to find anything lately - I'm looking for a DVD version of the movie. What is the real story and why, why, why??? I'd love to hear if anyone knows and if it is the "politically incorrect" answer, is there anything that can be done to change that. Any other Song of the South fans out there???

[jimh13432]

because the so called "poticially correct" world we live in has scared the Disney suits to the point that release of this classic movie will not be coming any time soon.

[daber]

There have been many discussions on how to present this movie and defuse the politically incorrectness of it, but none really seem to have been given the nod. This has also been brought up in the Q&A at the Shareholders meeting and Iger did a quick two-step and said they may consider releasing it sometime soon. (But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting)

[PatMcDuck]

churchmouselady, I sent you a PM on this subject.

[tzolkin]

i don't remember any of the specifics of this movie, but there is offensive material in many other disney movies. they are released and watched by children without a second thought. obviously adults understand the context/time when the story was written, but often kids watch these movies without anyone to explain it to them. (how many people do you know that think they should supervise their child while watching disney movies?) sometimes you spend so much time explaining that you just realize there is no way to justify it. the disturbing aspects outweigh the entertainment value. try watching peter pan with your american indian kids and see their little hearts crushed.

[kykatt2]

Song of the South .. IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE. We own it. It does have the subtitles on it for the music... but I would not part with it.

I can not for the life of me understand the problem with this movie. If it has to do with "slavery" then why do we still see "Gone with the Wind" ??
It is a precious story.. how a little boy who has seemingingly every thing
( luxury) except his parents are splitting up. He meets a poor little girl and she becomes his friend and her lack does not bother him... Neither does the color of "Uncle Remus's Skin.

It is a shame that this story has been locked up. There are things in our world that should have never happened. We can close our eyes and pretend they did not... but it does not change the fact that they did.

"Song of the South" shows a different time in America's History... and it shows that Race's and those from poverty and those that have wealth.. can live together, and love one another.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Ask the question to the PC Department.
2) it used to be called the PR Department.
3) But, they change so often due to political correctness.

[Rora]

I love the Song of the South.. it is considered to be "racist" . Don't expect it to be released anytime soon. :( For a quick fix, you can check Youtube. They probably have clips or possibly the entire movie there.

[mitros]

The state of Florida just apologized for slavery today, joining about a half dozen other states. Need I say any:confused3 more?

[1hero2princesses]

I new I had this. I found it last night the VHS version. I mentioned I liked it about 10 years ago and somehow my husbands uncle found it for me. I haven't watched it since I was I kid. I think this might be the first movie I saw in a theater? I would have to check the release date or re-release dates as it would have been the 70's. Anyway I want to watch it but was not sure if it is appropriate for my kids 4 and 2 based on the "banning" of the movie?

[kykatt2]

I new I had this. I found it last night the VHS version. I mentioned I liked it about 10 years ago and somehow my husbands uncle found it for me. I haven't watched it since I was I kid. I think this might be the first movie I saw in a theater? I would have to check the release date or re-release dates as it would have been the 70's. Anyway I want to watch it but was not sure if it is appropriate for my kids 4 and 2 based on the "banning" of the movie?

I do not think so. You can of course whatch it first.. but there is no talking down to anyone. ( You actually get that in "Gone with the wind".. but it's on TV all the time)

There is NOTHING Racistist there. It actually shows poor and Rich Black and White LOVING EACH OTHER. Yes there are "Slaves" ... But that is part of our American History.. like it or not. It happened. Sorry I am that it happened.
It is actually In my opinion a great way of showing that we are just people and $$ nor Skin Color makes no Difference. GOD loves us ALL THE SAME.

[Horace Horsecollar]

"Song of the South" shows a different time in America's History... and it shows that Race's and those from poverty and those that have wealth.. can live together, and love one another.
The problem is that "Song of the South" really doesn't show the period in which it took place. To some extent, that makes sense because it is not a documentary or docudrama. But if the movie had been made with more historic accuracy, there would be less criticism.

"Song of the South" doesn't make it clear when the story takes place. The often-cited criticism that "Song of the South" shows "an idyllic master-slave relationship" is a valid criticism, because that's how the movie comes across to many people. Even if a viewer figures out that Uncle Remus is not a slave (because he is free to leave the plantation), there are still issues with how plantation life is shown.


There is NOTHING Racistist there. It actually shows poor and Rich Black and White LOVING EACH OTHER. Yes there are "Slaves" ... But that is part of our American History.. like it or not. It happened. Sorry I am that it happened.
It is actually In my opinion a great way of showing that we are just people and $$ nor Skin Color makes no Difference. GOD loves us ALL THE SAME.
There are no slaves in the "Song of the South." The story takes place during Reconstruction, after the Civil War. But the movie never makes this clear, and that's one of the problems.

As far as "showing poor and Rich Black and White LOVING EACH OTHER," I understand the point being made here. The young children play together and get along, without consideration of economic status or skin color. Uncle Remus, although not an educated man, is the wisest, nicest, and most positive adult character in the movie. The gentry class and the poor whites are rather negative characters.

There is no overt racism, but there are "messages" about the relationship between the black characters and the white characters that reasonable people can find objectionable.

People tend to plop Disney DVD and VHS tapes in players and plop their young children in front of the TV to watch them. Perhaps it makes sense that "Song of the South" should not be used in this way.

It seems to me that the Disney Treasures series would be the perfect way to release "Song of the South" on DVD. Add some insightful introductory material and bonus material that allows 21st century viewers to understand the time period in which the story takes place and the time period in which the movie was made. Examine the reasons for criticism. Also examine the artistic achievements and brilliant animation.

Some people find the live action scenes of "Song of the South" quite objectionable, while others see absolutely nothing wrong with them. Perhaps a well-executed DVD could bring people together.

[jimmytammy]

This movie has been my all time favorite Disney movie(with The Absent Minded Professor close behind). I saw it twice in the theater as a kid when it was re-released in the early 70s. A lot of your questions have been answered so I can only add that there are things on TV IMO that are far more offensive than this movie by todays standard. But what one finds offensive, others are tolerable of.

Slavery, in any terms, is intolerable. I am a white Southern man. I am proud of my American heritage. I am not proud of America as a whole of being a slave nation at one time in our history. This movie was based on slavery no longer being a part of America, but instead was based post Civil War. Uncle Remus was a black man who told charming tales. I would have loved to have had an Uncle Remus of any color in my life as a kid. His character would appeal to most anyone who needs a friend.

Stereotypes abound on TV, all colors included. I would much rather Uncle Remus be an example of kindness and goodness in the world to my kids than the videos of gangsta rappers we get bombarded with on TV.

I hope someday you get the opportunity to see this movie and make the call for yourself. Hopefully Disney will one day open up and let the world see this charming movie.

[TomD]

ebay usually has copies since it was released overseas.

[barreloflaughs]

I would much rather Uncle Remus be an example of kindness and goodness in the world to my kids than the videos of gangsta rappers we get bombarded with on TV.

Please tell me those aren't the only two choices!

barrel

[mickeymommy3]

Right or wrong I think Disney is afraid of the backlash it would incure by releasing it. You know the groups stating that it is supporting the views of racism, Disney as a whole is in a bad postion. The world as changed so much since the movie was filmed, But some can't just see it as a movie, not a political agenda.

[EltonJohn]

I love the Song of the South.. it is considered to be "racist" . Don't expect it to be released anytime soon. :( For a quick fix, you can check Youtube. They probably have clips or possibly the entire movie there.

I love YouTube.

Though publicaly, Disney will give a different reason, it is because Disney is afraid of offending blacks. *rolleyes*

[BTown]

That movie will never see the light of day on an official DVD release. Which is a shame, because it's possibly one of the greatest Disney movies ever made. If you do a little searching, you can find DVD copies all over the net. I own 3 versions, one of which is two discs with some interesting features. You might check out sell dot com or ioffer. Don't pay too much though, because they all come from the same source, and the quality just isn't great no matter who you get it from.

[jimmytammy]

Please tell me those aren't the only two choices!

barrel

Lord, I hope not!

[poeticdiabetic]

Yeah, Song of the South was racially insensitive. It's just one of those movies that are relics of an older generation that just won't work with how society has evolved. I still cringe a little while riding Splash Mountain, but there's a historical relevance as to how those outside of the African-American heritage saw that culture.

See, the Song of the South was released in 1946. It debuted in Atlanta Georgia, but James Baskett, the actor that played Uncle Remus, couldn't attend because of the Jim Crow laws of that time. Also, even back in 1946, the NAACP thought the film was controversial in the idyllic "Master-Slave" relationship supposedly depicted during the film.

But this film was one of the first films starring a black actor. It was also the very first film that had live action along with animation. And Walt Disney and James Baskett were great friends. Disney even petitioned the Academy to give Mr. Baskett an honorary award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus. Mr. Disney commented that Mr. Baskett acted almost wholly without direction. It was a breakthrough for Disney, and to those writers depicted the "happy-go-lucky" nature that the film had in their depictions as the typical Disney fare, IMO.

But the world has changed a great deal after 1946.

[wannabef]

There's also some bad feeling about the original stories upon which the film was based. Many accused Joel Chandler Harris of robbing poor Southern blacks of their heritage (the Br'er Rabbit stories) and passing them off as his own. The idealized view of race relations it presents, the dialect used by "black" characters (both human and anthropomorphic animals,) the term Uncle which was largely considered to be pejorative in its day and the sort of mush-mouthed characterization of black characters which was typical of Hollywood in the 30s and 40s all add up to make the film offensive to those of African-American heritage.

That doesn't mean that there aren't some thoroughly entertaining moments in the film. It's Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah for crying out loud!

But what do I know? I'm a white Southern guy.

Anyone of color on here who could comment on your feelings about the film?

[poeticdiabetic]

I'm of African-American heritage, and it can be jarring when you first ride it. In 2006, I rode it for the first time and wasn't happy one bit. Especially when Brer Fox was saying to Brer Rabbit "I'll Roast ya! I'll hang ya!" And Brer Rabbit said something about "Just don't throw me into that Briar Patch!" For a history buff like me, it just brought back the imagery of black people being roasted and hung (it was called "Lynching") in the South around the same time that the film was released. Hundreds of black people were roasted and hung in the South, especially in Georgia. I can spare you the pictures.


That was why I studied the history of the Song of the South movie. I gave my kids a nice little historical lesson on black/white relations at that time. They appreciated it.

Now we ride the ride, watch the imagery, and try to scream as we plunge to the bottom and make a big splash.

[mel&me]

I have this on dvd. I converted it from a vhs to dvd a while back.
I also have some rare old wartime propaganda stuff that was made by disney dealing with the germans.
You will never see any of it officially released.
It is a time gone by it will never ever be PC enough again to be released.

[DancingBear]

I'm of African-American heritage, and it can be jarring when you first ride it. In 2006, I rode it for the first time and wasn't happy one bit. Especially when Brer Fox was saying to Brer Rabbit "I'll Roast ya! I'll hang ya!" And Brer Rabbit said something about "Just don't throw me into that Briar Patch!" For a history buff like me, it just brought back the imagery of black people being roasted and hung (it was called "Lynching") in the South around the same time that the film was released. Hundreds of black people were roasted and hung in the South, especially in Georgia. I can spare you the pictures.I understand what you are saying, but in Splash Mountain the stories are taken out of the Uncle Remus context, and so presumably pretty much follow the traditional African-American (apparently Brer' Rabbit has Cherokee roots as well) stories. As others have mentioned above, the complaints about Song of the South generally relate to Joel Chandler Harris' having appropriated the stories, and the idealized relationship between Uncle Remus and the white boy (which are set during Reconstruction so are not strictly speaking slave/master relationships, but which depict a happy black man working on a plantation and taking care of the white boy that lives in the big house).

[dsanner106]

I have owned this on Laser disc for many years from it's original US release, and although racism is often quoted as the reason for no further releases, I know it was scheduled and cancelled because Disney does not own the rights to the songs. As I recall, they could not acquire them and because of the additional problem with protests have not pushed really hard for the rights more recently.

Drew

[tinkerbell 766]

If Disney does not own the rights to the songs, how come we can still buy this film off the shelf here in the UK. Also 'Zip a dee doo dar' is still widely used on Disney CDs. I'm sure you're right but it seems odd.:confused3

[tinkerbell 766]

I love YouTube.

Though publicaly, Disney will give a different reason, it is because Disney is afraid of offending blacks. *rolleyes*

I think I am glad that Disney does it's best not to offend anybody. I am British and admit that I maybe do not understand the issues involved completely, but as I said, if I thought that a film (especially one from my beloved Disney!!) could potentially offend any race, creed, colour or religion, I would be happy to have it confined to history and call it a lesson learnt. Remember, times change and Disney is in the business of bringing joy to everyone. Perhaps shelving it is the correct decision for now? That said, I personally love the film on a basic level and we can learn a lot from the Brer Rabbit stories. It is (I think) still available to buy in the UK. As I said I do not wish to offend anyone but is it a coincidence that this comment came from a Texan!

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Song of the South is my sister's favorite movie! I remember her reading it to me when I was a child too. I found a dvd copy of it online for her a few years ago, it is a really good copy too!

[skater]

I think I am glad that Disney does it's best not to offend anybody. I am British and admit that I maybe do not understand the issues involved completely, but as I said, if I thought that a film (especially one from my beloved Disney!!) could potentially offend any race, creed, colour or religion, I would be happy to have it confined to history and call it a lesson learnt. Remember, times change and Disney is in the business of bringing joy to everyone. Perhaps shelving it is the correct decision for now? That said, I personally love the film on a basic level and we can learn a lot from the Brer Rabbit stories. It is (I think) still available to buy in the UK. As I said I do not wish to offend anyone but is it a coincidence that this comment came from a Texan!


I don't understand the Texan comment. Can you explain?

[skater]

Is Texas a hotbead of racism :goodvibes ?

[skater]

I happen to have some very good friends who are Texans :rotfl: !

[Jenvenza]

You can buy it on VHS on ebay.

[Jenvenza]

I think I am glad that Disney does it's best not to offend anybody. I am British and admit that I maybe do not understand the issues involved completely, but as I said, if I thought that a film (especially one from my beloved Disney!!) could potentially offend any race, creed, colour or religion, I would be happy to have it confined to history and call it a lesson learnt. Remember, times change and Disney is in the business of bringing joy to everyone. Perhaps shelving it is the correct decision for now? That said, I personally love the film on a basic level and we can learn a lot from the Brer Rabbit stories. It is (I think) still available to buy in the UK. As I said I do not wish to offend anyone but is it a coincidence that this comment came from a Texan!


What an ignorant comment on your part. You obviously base your knowledge of Texans on stereotypes. That makes me sad for you.

[Mozart]

It is (I think) still available to buy in the UK. As I said I do not wish to offend anyone but is it a coincidence that this comment came from a Texan!

Even though I'm not from Texas, on behalf of all Southerners who are tired of being stereotyped as racist, I have to ask...

WHAT THE ****?

[skater]

Even though I'm not from Texas, on behalf of all Southerners who are tired of being stereotyped as racist, I have to ask...

WHAT THE ****?

Don't you know? Some people are oh so much smarter than you bible totin', gun clingin' racists down there ;) . But you sure make good sweet tea!

Seriously, I do get so tired of some people especially politicians (on both sides) acting smugly superior to the rest of us.

[tinkerbell 766]

Yes Yes, I apologise for generlizing about Texans. Very wrong of me. However, the poster who did rolleyeyes about Disney being scared of 'offending blacks' made me cross. Two wrongs, though, don't make a right and as I said before, I wish to offend nobody.
To answer the question as to whether Texan's have a reputation for being racist and gunslinging, well, in Britain they seem to have a little. There have been documentries here (I think to coincide with the abolision of slavery anniversary), which seemed to suggest that racism is commonplace and the KKK still very active (and not with good deed doing!!). I am aware that these people are in the minority and my comment was a kneejerk reaction to my irritation toward the poster I mentioned above.
As far as generalization is concerned and just as a side note, my daughter participated in the International College Programme last summer at WDW. She started to get mildly annoyed at the number of people from the USA who asked her if she drank tea all the time, rode around in horses and carriages, or 'knew the Queen'. Yes my comment was ignorant and ill advised but I am obviously not alone in generalizing or believing things I see on TV:lmao:

[tinkerbell 766]

Yes Yes, I apologise for generlizing about Texans. Very wrong of me. However, the poster who did rolleyeyes about Disney being scared of 'offending blacks' made me cross. Two wrongs, though, don't make a right and as I said before, I wish to offend nobody.
To answer the question as to whether Texan's have a reputation for being racist and gunslinging, well, in Britain they seem to have a little. There have been documentries here (I think to coincide with the abolision of slavery anniversary), which seemed to suggest that racism is commonplace and the KKK still very active (and not with good deed doing!!). I am aware that these people are in the minority and my comment was a kneejerk reaction to my irritation I felt at the above mentioed post.
As far as generalization is concerned and just as a side note, my daughter participated in the International College Programme last summer at WDW. She started to get mildly annoyed at the number of people from the USA who asked her if she drank tea all the time, rode around in horses and carriages, or 'knew the Queen'. Yes my comment was ignorant and ill advised but I am obviously not alone in generalizing or believing things I see on TV:lmao:

[tinkerbell 766]

Sorry this seems to have posted twice. I promise I am not just labouring my point!!!

[skater]

OK Tinkerbell - I'm sure everyone will leave you alone now :) . Its really normal for people to generalize though and sometimes there are overreactions. I have general feelings and I'm sure misconceptions about people in different countries and different regions of the world. Of course there's some truth in some of those feelings. You definately don't mess with Texas :rotfl: . Seriously, the Texans I've known have been fierecely loyal to to their state - this is a generalization with some truth to it (I don't see that same loyalty in Maryland :goodvibes ).

Back to the topic. I really do love this movie, but who knows if I'd feel the same if I was an African American? I truly see it as harmless, but haven't walked a mile in the shoes of someone who deals with racism on a daily basis. I would love to have a good copy of this movie, but I don't want to see anybody hurt. Its a complicated world!

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you. You know if you have a DVD player which is able to play UK DVDs, I could try to get you a copy here (if it is still available and hasn't gone back in the vault) and mail it to you. Let me know. I too love the movie but like you can see why it may not sit right with some and maybe that's why this particular decision has been made in the US. It would seem a sensible option for a company whose products should make people happy and not uncomfortable.

[skater]

:goodvibes I have no idea if my DVD player would work or not! I noticed you have 3 kids. So do we, but our oldest is 13 and our youngest is 6.

[Jenvenza]

Yes Yes, I apologise for generlizing about Texans. Very wrong of me. However, the poster who did rolleyeyes about Disney being scared of 'offending blacks' made me cross. Two wrongs, though, don't make a right and as I said before, I wish to offend nobody.
To answer the question as to whether Texan's have a reputation for being racist and gunslinging, well, in Britain they seem to have a little. There have been documentries here (I think to coincide with the abolision of slavery anniversary), which seemed to suggest that racism is commonplace and the KKK still very active (and not with good deed doing!!). I am aware that these people are in the minority and my comment was a kneejerk reaction to my irritation I felt at the above mentioed post.
As far as generalization is concerned and just as a side note, my daughter participated in the International College Programme last summer at WDW. She started to get mildly annoyed at the number of people from the USA who asked her if she drank tea all the time, rode around in horses and carriages, or 'knew the Queen'. Yes my comment was ignorant and ill advised but I am obviously not alone in generalizing or believing things I see on TV:lmao:


Well, then I must say Britain seems to be behind a bit when it comes to Texas. You will find racism where ever you go. As for the gunslinging, I am a Texan, and have never fired a gun, nor has anyone on my family. I actually dont think I know of one person who actually owns a gun.

Ignorance is ignorance, and it comes from all places. Please dont group all Texans together, when your knowledge of us, is solely based on dated documentries and streotypes.

I, as a Texan, accpet your apology, but please dont do that again. :hippie:

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you for accepting m apology. I assure you that I am not in the habit of apologising and then going out and doing the same thing again!! As I said it was a kneejerk reaction and as I also said I am not alone in making generalizations. We all do it at times and as long as we learn something, well thats the good that can come out of it. I know it is annoying when we are the people who are being 'generalized' about, as my daughter found out!!
Indeed, Britain may be behind Texas, but I think that may be a generalization.