Cool News
Lasseter updates the world on TOY STORY 3, SONG OF THE SOUTH on DVD (?) and THE FROG PRINCESS!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. John Lasseter recently met with shareholders and cemented some interesting tidbits on Disney's upcoming slate. TOY STORY 3... nothing really new here, but he confirmed a 2010 release, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE's Michael Arndt is scripting and both Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are confirmed to return.
THE FROG PRINCESS is where most of the news hit. It'll be a traditionally hand-drawn Disney flick set in New Orleans, with the "very first African-American Disney Princess," a soul-singing alligator and Randy Newman doing the music.
Another interesting tidbit is that Robert Iger, who was strongly against releasing SONG OF THE SOUTH on DVD this time last year (for fear of a negative reaction) says he's now been persuaded to consider it again... Good. The movie's fantastic and anybody who has really seen it knows the message is strongly in favor of living in peace with people of any skin color. The hero of the movie is Uncle Remus and the closest things to villains in the flick are the ignorant parents!
Plus, it's a little bullshit that Disney will still sell CDs with SONG OF THE SOUTH music on it, make money off of it that way, but no... they're profiteering if they release the actual movie?
Of course Iger reconsidering a release doesn't mean jack or shit, but there's a little hope now.
-
+ Expand All
-
WooHoo!!
-
But I just can't. I'd still rather see a sequel to the Incredibles or just something original instead of putting the time and effort into TS3.
-
at least for another 50 years or so. coz you know they will try to make more sequel. they did two sequels for cinderella.
-
Toy Story 4 will be a redundant prequel set in the 50s with Woody popping fresh off the production line so we can literally see what he's made of and how he came to be. Toy Story 5 will be a reimagining for the kids who, by that time, will proclaim Toy Story 1's animation primitive and unwatchable and it's story "gay".
-
screw Randy Newmans Pixar sounds, hell if you go for New Orleans then put Woody Allen on the music.
-
contact me on this soon, before it's too late.
-
I'm not saying they shouldn't be releasing it on DVD, but there are a lot of images in Song of the South that are not just outdated, they are pretty patently offensive (terrible alliteration there, but I'll leave it). the message is certainly not racist, but a lot of the imagery is a very ignorant representation of an idyllic happy slaves in the field type of situation.again, not sayinbg it shouldn't be seen, or that it deserves huge protests. I just take issue with the idea that there's no shenanigans there. just like the crows in Dumbo. is it intentional racist propoganda? maybe not. is it indicative of the stereotypes and subtle bigotry of the times? yes. do I ask myself questions a lot? yes. am I done? yes.
-
Disney, welcome to the 21st century. Honestly, does any intelligent person actually care what racial background a movie character (especially a cartoon one) has these days (unless it's in an anthropological context)?
-
Excellent point. They just have to worry about putting out an entertaining movie.
-
Seriously. Enough already.
As for TOY STORY 3, bring it on!! -
lol...that's a stretch. And Song of the South was a magical film when I saw it as a kid. I downloaded it as an adult recently and it was unwatchable, but it is a kiddie movie and nothing wrong with that.
-
Fat guy eating an apple
-
was one of my favorite storybooks when I was a young child, and I never NEVER considered it in a negative way. Nor do I to this day. Any time I have gotten into a conversation about this film and the person I'm discussing it with starts talking about what a racist film it was, I just stare at the person in disbelief. Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Bear will always be a memorable part of my childhood.
-
Because it is mentioned. I was actually trying to remember an actual non-ethnic American princess, and can not think of a single one. Sure, we have all of the European ones, but any American? But, great news America, we will have our very own American Princess to stand next to Pochahontas as Disneyworld.
-
Can't wait to finally see this again! We had the soundtrack to "Song of the South" as a kid and we danced around to "Zip-pe-dee-doo-dah" and "Laughing Place." I'm real anxious to see it again!
-
For one thing, SONG OF THE SOUTH isn't about slaves. It's not set during slavery. It's about the Reconstruction era, which is the point. Uncle Remus is a free man, and so are the other blacks in the film. There's real racial tension between the whites and blacks because slavery is still a recent memory, and the film is ultimately about healing between the two cultures.
I love SONG OF THE SOUTH, and I pray Disney does the right thing and finally puts it out. People who call it racist don't know the movie. Uncle Remus is presented as a character of great dignity and wisdom, and the original Br'er Rabbit stories are genuine American mythology, worth preserving and studying because of the era in which they were written. -
Agreeing with Quint, they sell the CD and make money, and they have a freaking ride at DISNEY WORLD with that theme!! Every time we go on Splash Mountain, I have to explain to my kids and my wife about the movie and how Uncle Walt was a racist and he hated black people...oh, wait, I mean how the world has gotten too politically correct and everyone who is not an Anglo Saxon white Protestant male will not get the jokes in the movie and... you know what? Why don't we have this movie on DVD yet? All joking aside(and that was all jokes folks) I think that maybe Lasseter realizes if they release the film on DVD, he will be crushing a hugely successful pirated market out there. Every time you go to a comics show or flea market, there is about 6 guys there selling the thing...all that money, and Mickey can never get enough cheese...... I gotta quit posting when I'm on the cough syrup.
-
"Yes suh… Dey’s udder ways O’learnin’ bout de behind feel of a mule den getting’ kicked by ‘em"
-
This is just another example of reverse discrimination. I mean, you will see that Wally Gator was made for the part, but he was pick over in order for Disney to make amends for Song of the South. I tell you once this outrage hits the fan, it won't be safe in New Orleans.
-
The Whoopi Goldberg introduction summed it up nicely: you can't pretend racism never happened.
Here's how to solve the prob for Song of the South, too: donate all profits to the NAACP, and get them in on the marketing/awareness. It could be a positive for everyone. -
First of all, being upset by dialects of the 1860s South is hardly conducive to a level-headed review/opinion of "Song." DM/RM hit the nail on the head, with his comments above. I was a kid, in 69 or 70, when I saw a rerelease of the film in theaters. I absolutely loved it. The main trauma for me, was that child star Bobby Driscoll had recently died of drug-related hepatitis at age 31, and it was splashed all over the papers at the time. Read the IMDb biography. Very sad. This was about the same time Judy Garland died, so watching the classics films was scary for a kid in 1969. (Newspaper headline: "Dorothy Kills Self" - NICE! I grabbed some Tang, and a Space Stick, and hid behind the sofa.)
-
From Aladdin? Though she did seem pretty "white" ...
-
As some pointed out above, WB did on okay job putting cartoons with some outdated and potentially offensive material into the context under which they were originally created. Things that are created solely to offend should not be given that kind of privilege, but SOS was not one of those things. Put this thing out on DVD already. You've had a ride with all its animated characters in the parks for years now! Plus once TS3 comes out in a few years, no one will care anymore b/c the masses eat that shite up even more.
-
As some pointed out above, WB did on okay job putting cartoons with some outdated and potentially offensive material into the context under which they were originally created. Things that are created solely to offend should not be given that kind of privilege, but SOS was not one of those things. Put this thing out on DVD already. You've had a ride with all its animated characters in the parks for years now! Plus once TS3 comes out in a few years, no one will care anymore b/c the masses eat that shite up even more.
-
...gonna take a bite...er, nope, nope...she gonna breathe on in foist, wipe it on her blouse...she takes a bite, chews it once, twice, three times, four times...stops."
-
One of the benefits of living in Britain.
-
may not be African-American. If she's from New Orleans, the odds are just as good that her family came from the Caribbean. That's the problem with being PC - sometimes you just end up being WRONG.
-
"...Negroes are inferior in every way, Whites are much cleaner, that's what I say."
Uncle Reamus, is the biggest example of the "Magical Negro" I'v ever seen. Anyway, of course they'll sell it. They can make a boatload of cash while claiming to make a point about racism. -
Disney put out a compilation of their World War 2 cartoons, which included ones like Der Fuhrers Face, where Donald is a Nazi building shells and giving the heil Hitler! They had one where he was fighting snaggletoothed, pidgin-speaking, bespectacled, bowl-cut Japs! Granted, I believe they had intros explaining the mindset of the day, but if that's not too offensive, I don't think Song of the South will be.
-
Walt Disney World has the ride Splash Mountain, that is themed from the Song of the South. My kids kept asking me why they haven't seen those characters in a movie. I finally was able to get a hold of a 'copy' made from a DVD that someone bought overseas...Japan I think.
-
... it's not about reality, but perception. Stop arguing the merits of SOTS, or the inconsistencies of a PC corporate America. It's about perception, unfortunately ...... and SOTS's Uncle Remus = Uncle Tom to a racially sensitive culture. Too bad, but accept the truth. Disney actually gets this right - leave it in the vault.
-
If we've had Arabic, Native American, and Chinese (Mulan) heroines in Disney films, what's the big deal about a black princess?
-
Mar 09, 2007 11:21:07 AM CST
Love Song of the South, but don't say it's not racist.
by jimfromthefuture
I have a lot of respect for Moriarty, but saying that Song isn't racist is a very naive white point of view. There's no outright bigotry, but there rarely is in mainstream media. The racism comes out of choices in representation. Yes, it's reconstructionist south, but where's this black/white tension? I didn't notice any. I did notice all the "free" blacks living in shacks and humbly submitting to the rich white folks, but the running conflict throughout the movie is that the rich white boy's rich white parents are splitting up. Boo hoo. His dad is supposed to be some kind of activist, but they won't even say what he's fighting for. The Br'er Rabbit segments are classic folk tales with unfortunate voice acting. It's the live-action parts that are really offensive. The representation of plantation life as happy and lazy is an image Hollywood consistently served throughout the first half of the century with few, if any, exceptions. Dragging it out again here was a conscious decision by Disney. They brought in a consultant to correct racist undercurrents in the screenplay, but threw out most of his suggestions. I don't believe in censorship and think the film SHOULD be available, but denying the inherent racism in ignorant to say the least.
-
And here follows a true story: I remember taking my oldest daughter (she was three or four) to see SOTS when it last showed in theatres about 1983-84. A rather large (about fifteen folks) group of African Americans sat in the rows right in front of us. There were a mix of moms, aunties and grandma's along with the ten or so kids. Two of the adults sat right in front of us and I tought, "Oh man, are they going to get up and walk out?" as I was wondering if they were familiar with the content. Sure enough, about the time we see the opening shot of the plantation, etc. one of the older women leaned in to the other and said "I don't think I like this...you want to leave?" They stuck it out in complete frowning silence UNTIL the first Brer' Rabbit sequence came up. yep, they all, along with the rest of the patrons, were instantly transported to their "laughing place" and stayed there throughout the rest of the flick. Upon leaving the theatre, I asked one of the older ladies how she liked it and she replied that she was going to bring her other gran-kids to see it again tomorrow. She absloutely loved it along with the rest of her family. So, get off your stereotype wagon people and remember that it's a great story that centers on Uncle Remus's stories...NOT slavery and racial stereotypes. It's a period piece for Heavens sake. Should the picture be re-made in Harlem with a hip-hop theme or something? Get over your politically correct selves, get the stick out yer ass and just enjoy it for what it is...great story telling that's enjoyed by every race and age group.
-
Seriously, the love for this 'lost treasure' has always baffled me. The movie is just not very good. It's become very 'hip' to claim a greater understanding of the film in it's 'context' and blah blah blah. And no, the actual intent of the film is not racist, but it certainly has enough racist imagery to raise an eyebrow multiple times, and I've never been crazy about the voicework. Brer Rabbit sounds a little too much like a Jar Jar Binks ancestor for my tastes. (Speaking of which...honestly. What's more offensive? Brer Rabbit or Jar Jar? Can anybody honestly not cringe watching Jar Jar?) Not to mention, it's ultimately a bit of a snore. But I completely agree that it's reprehensible Disney mentality to profit off the songs and images while hiding behind some sort of veil of 'sensititity' to offending people by releasing the film. That's just ludicrous. It absolutely should be on DVD, and include a brutally honest documentary about the time period and all of discussions that went into whether or not to reissue the film. That would be the best way to go.
-
"Sensititity" is a side effect of what happens to many women once a month and during pregnancy.
-
morGoth, ALL art is political, whether consciously or not. Art and entertainment reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the creators and their society. You can choose to ingore it, but that doesn't mean it's not there for those that are sensitive to what's going on. The most telling part of your story is the women sitting in "frowning silence" until the Br'er Rabbit cartoon. It's the live action sequences that are most problematic. Disney could have come up with any number of settings and stories to frame the cartoons. No one made them surround the cartoons in subversively racist pap. By setting the film on a plantation while ignoring all the problems that come with that, they're advancing what by then was a 30-year-long Hollywood movement to rewrite history. Disney may not have thought about it that way, but he wasn't totally ingnorant of what he was doing either. It's not just about politcal correctness, it's about 100 years of skewed/biased/racist representation in the media. We can go through all of Hollywood's racist movies and pass many of them as harmless entertainment, while ignoring the cultural image they paint as a whole. That kind of complacency is how racism survives in the mass media. In 1986 the NAACP drew a line with SONG. I don't think it should have been banned, but I understand why. They were trying to protect the uninformed and impressionable from this kind of subversive racism. There's a lot to like about SONG OF THE SOUTH, but this insistance by fans on ingnoring the problems with this and other "banned" films is part of why some people feel they should remain so. It's okay to love the film, but don't be dismissive of its very serious faults. Any African American AICNers want to defend this film?
-
Here's a pitch. They could go the Little Miss Sunshine Route and have Andy go on a trip to the Grand Canyon with his mom and sis leaving certain toys like Slinky dog behind at home (RIP). The toys end up being forgotten after leaving the Hotel room for a night of fun and in their confusion return to another hotel with the same name/brand and room. They must now make their way to the Grand Canyon riding Bullseye. Very John Ford. And meet up with Andy.
-
As for the film... I certainly can understand people finding some of the content questionable and/or objectionable by modern standards. But by the standards of 1946, when it was made, it was downright progressive. Suppress SONG OF THE SOUTH and you suppress a key piece of African-American Hollywood history - not a lot of other acting gigs of comparable quality, dignity or prestige were available for non-whites at the time, particularly in major studio pictures. This aspect of SONG OF THE SOUTH completely overwhelms any potentially offensive content in the film. It seems far more offensive to sweep the at-the-time groundbreaking work of the film's black actors and actresses under the rug because of the nature of the times in which the film was made. There's nothing in here that even approaches the level of stomach-turning offensiveness found in D. W. Griffith's KKK propaganda piece BIRTH OF A NATION, or in Mickey Rooney's repulsive performance in BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - both of which are readily available on DVD.
-
C'mon, this was a part of the American background.
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Stop turning a blind eye toward the past. Use it as a lesson in our history. -
Of coures,when I think of New Orleans, I always think Randy Newman. I hate that old hack bastard. He could record the sounds of his own bowel movements and he would get an Oscar nomination. His shiity songs are the reason I can't stand to watch James and the Giant Peach. Disney is playing it safe again. This will only put traditional animation (in America) back in the ground. At least I have Paprika to look forward to.
-
Folks, do a bit of research. A large number of former slaves chose to stay in the plantation setting and work for their former "owners." These people had limited financial support, and being declared free from slavery did not automatically create independence. The failure of Reconstruction has been a hot topic ever since. In addition, there were a variety of distinct African American dialects in the mid-to-late 1800s, and just because we are uncomfortable with them now, does not mean they never existed. This debate is just about as arrogant and misleading, as that presented by the jackass doing the commentary on the DVD of "Cabin in the Sky" (1943).
-
I think the film SHOULD be released to be enjoyed and studied. It's this "it's not racist, it's just entertainment, it's period, blah blah" attitude that gets me going. I sat down with a good friend of mine whose black and showed him Bob Clampett's "Coal Black" and some of SONG OF THE SOUTH just to get his impressions. He's very intelligent, but not a film guy. He thought "Coal Black" was fine as a loving caricature done through the lens of the times. The live action stuff in SONG he found much more offensive. Sure they gave work to black actors. James Baskett got an honorary Academy Award and all that, but it's in a highly problematic film. Most of classic Hollywood's "progressive" films do this stuff. Even the ones that attempt to deal with racism directly water things down and subvert their own "message." It's not like they didn't know any better. Like I mentioned earlier, Walt brought in a consultant at the script stage to make sure the film was okay, then ignored his suggestions. I'd love to see a DVD feature that explores all of this in depth.
-
Mar 09, 2007 3:46:50 PM CST
Ythe 1st black princess've to be a motherfucking frog!
by iamnicksaicnsn
Trying to channel my best "Delirious" Eddie Murphy. "WHY MOTHERFUCKER??? A BLACK MAN CAN'T HAVE A SUITCASE???"
-
I’m not being dismissive or “ingoring” of anything. I was merely relating true life and passing on a tidbit of empirical data…y’know, real life. Are you saying the reaction and comment of the woman I spoke to is to be dismissed out of hand just because it doesn’t fit some pre-conceived notion of racism, perceived or otherwise, by you? My take was that the lady put the focus where it belonged and that was the stories of Uncle Remus. As for what Walt may or may not have thought about it, how the heck do you or I know? You’re just projecting your own bias. In fact, it’s been my observation that people bring their own baggage with them when it comes to racism and perceptions of art in general. Explain to me how it was that every single one of those kids had the biggest shit-eating grin on their faces (adults too) and were obviously jazzed by what they had just seen…they weren’t angry or depressed and they certainly weren’t offended. In fact, I made it a point to ask the woman about the live action parts and she said she completely understood the context of the movie as it was simply “those times.” Now, my personal take was, as a Caucasian, I was uncomfortable. Why? Because I thought THEY were going to be uncomfortable and it turns out, after the movie was over, I was more uncomfortable about any sense of racial insensitivity…that was my baggage. Bottom line…the movie was released in 19 freakin’ 46. If it wasn’t as racially sensitive as movies made today (um…’Black Snake Moan’ anyone?) then is that really surprising? Maybe they should just release the animation and be done with it and a full up version for those of us who don’t see the Klan behind every black oak tree on the side of the road. Perhaps banning a movie is the antitheses of protecting uninformed and impressionable people by keeping them that way.
-
I didn't think SOTS was ever available on video...was it? Of course, if Walt Disnay actually did ignore a writers suggestion to remove the plantation setting, then I take back what I said about neither of us knowing what he thought and I stand corrected.
-
morGoth, I shouldn't have singled you out and I apologize. That was inappropriate. I was trying to get at the dominant point-of-view here that it's not racist. The point I was so heavy-handedly trying to make is that ignoring those elements or refusing to understand why people see them is dangerous thinking. That's all. I'm glad you shared your story and that people of all races can enjoy the movie. There's a great chapter in FORBIDDEN ANIMATION by Karl F. Cohen that talks about Disney and the suggested revisions, etc. Also, I don't believe that just because it was 1946 people didn't know any better. People tolerated a lot more, but that doesn't mean educated folks like those in Hollywood were ignorant. I think all the censored cartoons and films should be brought out and re-examined. Bob Clampett's "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarves" is a great example of a well intentioned piece was later percieved to be misguided. This dialogue needs to be reopened, but we have to do it with understanding. I've been trying to do so with my friends. Sorry I came on so strong. (I think there's a soap box stuck to my shoe!) PS - there is a bootleg Japanese video of SOTS that you can find. It has Japanese subtitles, but only when there's singing(?).
-
I didnt have an opinion until I read your posts, and I'm convinced. It should be released, but with a disclaimer of some sort. Nicely argueed. Makes a change in a Talkback lol
-
what really gets my goat is the sentence, which you've written twice now, in your review and your response to me, that says: "People who call it racist don't know the movie."first of all, I just graduated from film school, and I spent a good 3 weeks on this and a couple other old films, where we analyzed and debated their merits as films vs. the subtle racism of the times that they represented. I do know this film. but that is where the disconnect is. this is not an argument of a goof or a factual mistake in the film that you can point to and settle the argument definitively. it's a matter of opinion. surely you would agree if this film came out now, people would and should, have a problem with it. again, not because it has an overarching racist agenda, but because of the insensitivity with which the field workers are portrayed. perhaps they are freed slaves at the point the film takes place, but man, they sho is happy! again, I don't think the film should be banned, I just think it's unfair to say, "anyone that thinks it's racist has no clue." I got a clue, brother. and I think it's a shame that the first Disney film to feature a black leading character, and one that aims so high in terms of its message of tolerance, is mired in the same stereotypes that so many other films of the period were. and kids that watch it now should be aware of that. I mean come on, the little black boy brings him water to wash with. there is NO indication that the non-slaves are free except for an offhand remark by Remus. the songs the slaves...oops..."free plantation workers" are singing have nothing to do with real spirituals of the times. all the Blacks sublimate their lives to be better servants to the white family. it's not something that a very impressionable little kid should see without being made aware of the problems.you can excuse it as an old film, like you let your grandpa get away with saying "colored" still. but that doesn't mean you shouldn't explain to your kids that they can't go to school and say "colored" like grandpa does. that's all I'm saying.
-
YES!!!
-
For me Monsters Inc was better than Toy Story or Shrek or Incredibles or any others that may have happened.C'mon Hollywood give me what I want and make it good
-
should still be read,so should films like "Song of the South" be released so we can experience the attitudes toward race over the years. Just as some of the portrayals of blacks seem horribly stereotypical and comically insulting, it should be remembered that many black performers worked within those stereotypes so they could get work. While I can appreciate the motivation behind Bill Cosby's removal of the "Our Gang" films, I disagree with any attempts to white-wash or tuck away from view the way people behaved and thought "way back then." When you consider that it was only 83 years between the Emancipation Proclamation and the release of "Song of the South," and it's been 61 years since "Song" was released, I'd imagine there's a lot in that movie that'll be a little uncomfortable to watch. Hell, until the Voting Rights Act of 1965, there was no guarantee that a black citizen of the US could even vote, especially in the south.
We shouldn't hide from our racist past, we should keep it right out there as a reminder of how easy it was for reasonable people to ignore the inherent dignity of a fellow human being, only because of the color of his or her skin. And I say reasonable because it is the reasonable ones who allowed it to persist. Some unreasonable people would rather we go back to the those days before the Union defeated the Confederacy. -
Mar 09, 2007 8:37:51 PM CST
A black Disney Princess. Will she be from the ghetto??
by performingmonkey
Because they have to sell this movie to middle America and they think all black people live in da ghetto so they'd better not challenge their prejudice or they'll have a bomb on their hands. Whoever said Jasmine from Aladdin was African-American needs to die right now, or at least suffer at the hands of that bastard Roland Deschain, gunslinger of Gilead.
-
Mar 09, 2007 8:53:45 PM CST
Chef-'You ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?'
by performingmonkey
'I don't listen to hip-hop' Classic, just classic moments from the South Park movie. I think the main reason they don't like the idea of a Song Of The South DVD is that they don't want little kids watching it. We can watch it now and accept it for what it is (I mean, we have to accept the reality of that period, so why not a movie?) but it's obviously difficult to get through to a kid that this movie was made 60 years ago and set in a time when black people yadda yadda yadda. You can't stop people seeing color (don't you just hate it when people say they're not racist because they don't see color? The fact is you DO see color, your color is part of who you are just like any other feature of you and to say that you don't consider someone to be black or white is fucking stupid.), kids see color but because they're innocent they're not prejudiced, but they could easily become prejudiced if influenced by others, usually their parents but it could also be through watching a movie, the idea that black people should serve white people should NOT be planted in any young kid's head.
-
"We're living ins a country where using the word 'niggardly' can get you sacked from your job." -- As it should.
-
And while I think it was ridiculous that that fellow had to step down, it was a naive move on his part. You have to be careful about what you say when you love in Oceania.
-
down. You have to make a stand, and ignorance is a good place to start. Buy the offended a dictionary, open the book to the page, point to the word, and then read it aloud to them just to make sure they get it. And then say, "Excuse me, I have a job to do."
-
I was a child when I saw SOTS, and I had no negative notion of blacks planted in my head at all. The only thing I recall was thinking the parents were jerks and Uncle Remus was the good guy in the picture. The film is no more racist than "Gone with the Wind" or any other film of the period. By locking it away in a vault, you are WITHHOLDING THE FIRST OSCAR WON BY A BLACK MALE ACTOR, EVER. How is that constructive?
-
Seriously-its wrong for Disney or ANYBODY to ignore this film or pretend it doesnt exist. The film has its good parts and yes,some parts might seem "offensive" by todays hyper-p.c. standards,but this and future generations should have the opportunity to decide how they feel about the film for themselves. Besides, Triumph of the Will is available on DVD and it doesnt have ANY funny rabbits or bears AT ALL (although it could have used some).
-
leaning on Disney to release the film from the prison vault it was locked up in. Consider the case of "Birth of a Nation." It's part of the art form's history.
Date of Birth
16 February 1904, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Date of Death
9 September 1948, Los Angeles, California, USA. (heart ailment)
Trivia
Was the first live actor to be hired by Disney (Song of The South).
Won a special Academy Award for his performance as Uncle Remus in Disney's Song of the South (1946).
First African-American male actor to be awarded an Academy Award.
Well known old-time radio performer, especially for role of "Gabby Gibson" on Amos N Andy Show.
His portrayal of Uncle Remus in "Song of the South" was the crowning achievement of his career, for which he won an honorary Academy Award. Ironically, his performance cannot be seen in the United States as Wat Disney Co. will not release the film on the home video market due to the controversial nature of the film, which was denounced as racist by the NAACP when it was premiered in 1946. a further irony is that the NAACP currently has no public stance on the film.
He was reportedly unable to attend the premiere of "Song of the South" in Atlanta because no hotel would give him a room.
-
pressuring Disney to release this film because of its historical significance. While I'm hardly a big fan of "Birth of a Nation," I'm the first in line to say that this film has to be made available to future generations. Art is a powerful mirror of the times.
superbu, thanks for pointing out the Oscar presented to James Baskett. Here's what IMDB has to say about him:
"Date of Birth
16 February 1904, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Date of Death
9 September 1948, Los Angeles, California, USA. (heart ailment)
Trivia
Was the first live actor to be hired by Disney (Song of The South).
Won a special Academy Award for his performance as Uncle Remus in Disney's Song of the South (1946).
First African-American male actor to be awarded an Academy Award.
Well known old-time radio performer, especially for role of "Gabby Gibson" on Amos N Andy Show.
His portrayal of Uncle Remus in "Song of the South" was the crowning achievement of his career, for which he won an honorary Academy Award. Ironically, his performance cannot be seen in the United States as Wat Disney Co. will not release the film on the home video market due to the controversial nature of the film, which was denounced as racist by the NAACP when it was premiered in 1946. a further irony is that the NAACP currently has no public stance on the film.
He was reportedly unable to attend the premiere of "Song of the South" in Atlanta because no hotel would give him a room."
I have not verified whether the last line is true, but it's certainly believable considering the times. When you take into account that "Song of the South" was released five months prior to Jackie Robinson's debut as a Brooklyn Dodger, it demonstrates what a volatile period this was in the country's history.
For those concerned about the way kids might interpret the movie, I saw the film as a child and grew up to be a bleeding heart liberal. It takes more than one film to mold a mind. I'd be more concerned about the message sent by modern media, such as music videos and video games.>
A DVD release of the film offers Disney the opportunity to pack a number of short films into the Special Features. Historical, biographical, and social commentaries can help illuminate the controversy that has surrounded this film for decades, and if Disney ever sought the time for a grand-scale mea culpa, I'd say this would be it.
-
Disney has no room to take the moral high ground on anything. The studio that released Bambi 2 deserves nothing but scorn.
-
We'll know that political correctness is really and truly dead when the film sees the light of day again. And that will be a great day in this culture.
-
That's not an example of completely unconscious racism? My apologies in advance if you happen to be black, but if you're not, then you're a fool -- no matter how much time you've spent in school, film or otherwise.
-
I was being sarcastic. and be the way, "unconscious racism"? I think you mean subconscious, if I were unconscious, I couldn't type, could I?and subconscious racism, would be where you are subtly racist without realizing it, right? how could I have typed "they sho is happy" without realizing that I was using a stereotypical voice of a slave at that time? I accidentally hit the keys in that order? come on man, wise up. I was being sarcastic. get a clue.
-
......not knowing or perceiving : not aware b: free from self-awareness2 a: not possessing mind or consciousness b (1): not marked by conscious thought, sensation, or feeling (2): of or relating to the unconscious c: having lost consciousness 3: not consciously held or deliberately planned or carried out
-
......world-destroying energy of immense force (1)usually emanating from the Silver Surfer, who will kick Spider-fellow's ass all across the vast expanse of the universe(2)any powers unleashed by DHAMAKA2007 AND I'M NOT JOKING FF42 AND FRIED GREEN TOMATOES ARE THE GREATEST MOTION PICTURES OF ALL TIME, AND KRRISH WILL POUND SPIDER-GUY INTO CLOSE-BY OBLIVION. DON'T MAKE HIM ANGRY!!1!
-
I went to see this in the theater as a child. One of my favorite moments with my dad. We saw it at a classic theater located in Pikesville MD which is no longer open. Think The Senator in Baltimore but not as classy. Anyway I have longed to see this wonderful movie once more to recapture that day with my Dad. I truly hope this is true and that FINALLY this movie will make it to DVD and be given the treatment it deserves with a nice restore. After all they have been releasing those Looney Tunes now on DVD that were considered off color so I don't see why they can't release this movie which was anything but a good kids movie. A classic piece of Americana that would be a welcomed addition to my DVD collection.
-
you still can't unconsciously type something...the unconscious mind may be the reservoir of transcendent truths, but it can't type a sarcastic comment, brother.
-
Mar 10, 2007 8:23:09 PM CST
Can I nominate JimFromTheFuture for the AICN Mark Twain
by alonzo mosely
Award...
-
His phrase was appropriate. Also, many of us have gone to film school. I, personally, for six years (undergrad, grad), with a concentration on film history, and a second degree in American History, specifically the Civil War and Reconstruction. Personally, I do not find the film "racist." I look forward to seeing it, again. On a totally separate matter...has anyone encountered what just happened to me...I put "The Departed" DVD in my player, and found myself sidetracked for two-and-a-half hours. The player had gone on "save" mode, and when I hit "play," I had the misfortune of finding out that the movie had automatically been playing, and I saw the exact second I didn't need (or want) to see. It's the first DVD I've ever rented, that didn't stop at the menu screen, when inserted in the player. The Universe was evil tonight - I couldn't have hit that play button 60 seconds later? Damn.
-
be that they're doing the 'post-modern' take on Frog Prince and contriving the whole story just so that they can fill out their 'Disney Princesses' marketing lineup with more content and cross-promotion? Fuck! Must be a forest for the trees thing.
Has Disney done Frog Prince before to justify doing a twist on it now? It doesn't matter if she's black or white (snigger), this stinks. -
I never said the film was out and out racist, I just said it suffers from the stereotypes of the time. if a kid nowadays sees it, he or she should be made understand the differences. that's all! I don't think it's part of a racist consipiracy, it's just insensitive, and kids are impressionable.and if you think someone can unconsciously type a specifically sarcastic comment, than I can't help you, sir. his comment implied that I just wrote that out thinking it was normal, not realizing it was a mimicry of the speech of a slave in those times. and that is silly, I obviously intended it to be sarcastic. and there is no way to write out a pointed sarcastic comment "unconsciously".
-
I only mentioned going to film school and studying this because Mori implied that anyone that think the film is remotely racist, simply doesn't know the film. I wasn't trying to be pretentious.
-
i have seen this film and i would concur that it has racsist elements. they should merely release the animated sections under a new name- i suggest "Tales of Brere rabbit" and render the live action horrors to the history bin.
Alternatively they could release the film in its entirity with a half hour leonard Maltin Monolog under the Disney Treasures label.
Thats my word from the council estates -
t i think you're wrong pal about censorship. Things are obviously different over there in the states but here in Blighty they have "Birth of a nation" freely available at hmv. bang out of order my son! i nearly punched the clerk in the face.
they should ban that shit. it corrupts our kids and they'll be future racsists too. thats my word from the council estates
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts