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Song of the South?
- Thread starter Sir Hiss527
- Start date
FairytaleMagic
New Member
I was actually making general references to anything that kids watch on tv because happy snapper asked if kids were too stupid to assess a movie. I applied that question to any movie or tv show and not necesarily SOTS. I actually liked it as a kid.
And I agree that kids do take things at face value. But I don't think it's appropriate for a kid to call someone Tarbaby after watching the movie just because it's a cool new nickname for someone. For example my little sister used to call me a Guppie after she watched the Little Mermaid. It was funny but if she called me tarbaby instead I'd be upset.
WDWspider
New Member
OK I see. But isn't the name only negative because of preconceptions? I mean, if it holds no more value than one kid being Brer Rabbit another being Brer Bear and another the Tar Baby (which under the circumstances is an inanimate object made of tar) then is it really a bad thing? I think the phrase is dead and the times that it even made sense are gone, don't you. I know culture and heritage make it tough to let go sometimes, and I am glad that you enjoy the film, but to take offense (especially when true meaning is unknown to most) is kinda stretching it in my opinion. I do see your points, I just don't think they hold the same context today. Now if a kid watches a current movie where someone is called a bad name, and then they do so in the same matter (mimicing) I feel this better justifies your argument.
I suppose this is why the film will never be released. It's too risky. Tis a shame I say. Even the bad parts of History make us who we are, Our past is our past, both the good and the bad. Taken in proper context, I don't think it should be forgotten or overlooked.
Katherine
Well-Known Member
I stumbled onto this site when I was trying to find more info on Splash Mountain www.songofthesouth.net. It has some great info on the movie ride and everything inbetween.
I have never seen the movie but I don't really care either way if I see it or not. I love Spl. Mnt. and I would love to see the movie that it came from.
Does anyone else think it's kinda strange that one of the best loved rides comes from a movie that's been banned? Just something to think about.:animwink:
I have never seen the movie but I don't really care either way if I see it or not. I love Spl. Mnt. and I would love to see the movie that it came from.
Does anyone else think it's kinda strange that one of the best loved rides comes from a movie that's been banned? Just something to think about.:animwink:
FairytaleMagic
New Member
I didn't say it would be wrong to let children watch it, because I watched it when I was a child. And I remembered liking it.
ALSO If anyone wants to see it and can't find it, then check large universities in your state. I found a list of schools in the US that has the movie that you can check out. You don't have to be a college student to check out college library materials
MKCustodial
Well-Known Member
As I said before, I have SotS taped from TV, dubbed in Portuguese. But I decided to download the original version from Kazaa to watch it as should be! :sohappy: It's not that great, but it's totally watchable! 
figmentmom
Well-Known Member
I remember seeing "Song of the South" years ago when I was little; I remember liking it, too. The racial overtones went over my head, I'm sure. The only place I've seen any part of SOTS in years was a clip of "How Do You Do?" on one of Disney's sing-along videotapes. (Uncle Remus' portrayal was, indeed, quite a stereotype.) Great music in that movie!
wdwforus
Member
I havent seen all of it but think if parents want to let their kids watch it and they ask questions then the parent is responsible to teach that child about the context of the movie. I know I wouldnt want to get a call from my daughters school saying she was calling other kids tar babies or something of that nature. I think the only way to break racial stereotypes is to educate not ignore or beat around the bush about problems in our society. I think Disney should let people be the judge of what is appropriate or not by whether or not they purchase the film. They put all kinds of labels on music nowadays why cant they do it to a movie if they need to. THEY did make the movie after all in the first place. My kids had all kinds of questions after we did the ride about where Brer Rabbitt and the gang came from. The other option I think would be to remake the movie to go along with the ride. Just make it all animated and the next generation for the most part probably will never care.
If they're going to all together prevent this movie from seeing the light of day here in the US b/c of "racial undertones," why dont they do the same with all of their other movies that feature the same sort of undertones. The song, "What Made the Red Man Red," from Peter Pan can definitely be seen as a discriminatory. Why wasn't this movie banned or that song edited out of the movie??? Same is true with the crows from Dumbo.
Maerj
Well-Known Member
Good point there Mic Bat...
I saw SotS, which is widely available on "unofficial" DVDs and videos and I found it to be a good film. The time period in which the story takes place is why some may say that some of the characters are portrayed in a stereotypical manner. But that is a bit of history there. If we are going to ban this, lets ban Gone With the Wind then too and a number of other movies from that era where blacks may have been portrayed in stereotypical roles.
I think Disney is doing a great disservice to this film. James Baskett (Uncle Remus) won an Honorary Academy Award for his performance. He was also the first African-American actor hired by Disney for a full length live action film. Also the film won for Best Song (Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Daa) and was nominated Best Music.
There is nothing wrong with this film and I don't think that children would be adversely affected by it. That is just plain silly. In fact, Uncle Remus was cool and a lot more likeable than the white characters in the film!
Disney needs to release it in one of those Disney Treasures sets, have Leonard Maltin do an intro for it and be done with it!
I saw SotS, which is widely available on "unofficial" DVDs and videos and I found it to be a good film. The time period in which the story takes place is why some may say that some of the characters are portrayed in a stereotypical manner. But that is a bit of history there. If we are going to ban this, lets ban Gone With the Wind then too and a number of other movies from that era where blacks may have been portrayed in stereotypical roles.
I think Disney is doing a great disservice to this film. James Baskett (Uncle Remus) won an Honorary Academy Award for his performance. He was also the first African-American actor hired by Disney for a full length live action film. Also the film won for Best Song (Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Daa) and was nominated Best Music.
There is nothing wrong with this film and I don't think that children would be adversely affected by it. That is just plain silly. In fact, Uncle Remus was cool and a lot more likeable than the white characters in the film!
Disney needs to release it in one of those Disney Treasures sets, have Leonard Maltin do an intro for it and be done with it!
Great points, Maerj! The release of SOtS would be a smart thing for Disney to do. Who doesn't know the song, "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"?! Splash mountain is one of WDW's most popular rides. These factors alone would bring massive sales of the DVD/video. That and the fact that us Disney fans have been awaiting the release (well, not really awaiting, but hoping for).
Maerj
Well-Known Member
Thanks Mic Bat!
Also of note... most of the Uncle Remus stories actually originated in Africa and were handed down over the years by word-of-mouth storytellers. The character of Uncle Remus was a composite of many of these storytellers, created by writer Joel Chandler Harris for the newspaper the Atlanta Constitution in 1876. So by hiding this film, they are actual depriving new generations of African American history and a wonderful film.
Also of note... most of the Uncle Remus stories actually originated in Africa and were handed down over the years by word-of-mouth storytellers. The character of Uncle Remus was a composite of many of these storytellers, created by writer Joel Chandler Harris for the newspaper the Atlanta Constitution in 1876. So by hiding this film, they are actual depriving new generations of African American history and a wonderful film.
TacoExistential
New Member
I'm Hispanic and I find nothing offensive at all about Speedy Gonzalez. He is actually one of my favorite cartoon characters.
As a matter of fact, during the time of the contraversy with CN, it was revealed that not even in Latin America, on their version of CN, had Speedy been banned.
Apparently, "we" get the joke.
If you get offended by a cartoon portrayal such as Speedy, and and are of the opinion that it degrades your race, then maybe the problem isn't Speedy, maybe it's you.
MKCustodial
Well-Known Member
It had been a while since I last watched Song of the South, and now that I'm watching it in English is a totally new experience. I just passed the 30 minute mark. I love the accents, the portrayals and the cultural references. You know, if we don't learn from the past, we're destined to repeat it. I really can't see anything offensive in this movie. Slavery? Well, it happened. Not showing this movie ain't gonna change that. Tar baby? I still think it's a baby made of tar, and I don't think a child would see this movie and automatically go out into the world calling every black person he or she sees a tar baby, because the scene never intended it that way.
All in all, I think it's much fuss about nothing. Just like changin Pirates and Jungle Cruise. And I love that I'm finally getting all the references to Splash Mountain, like Briar Patch and the name of Brer Fox's mountain home (which is the "official" name of Splash's mountain).
All in all, I think it's much fuss about nothing. Just like changin Pirates and Jungle Cruise. And I love that I'm finally getting all the references to Splash Mountain, like Briar Patch and the name of Brer Fox's mountain home (which is the "official" name of Splash's mountain).
Maerj
Well-Known Member
I would to see a Treasures Set called the Uncensored Disney. It could contain Song of the South, Fantasia, Make Mine Music, Melody Time and Saludos Amigos, since all of these films have been edited for their DVD releases. If for no other reason than historical preservation, it would be great if all of these got rereleased uncut and unedited.
WDWspider
New Member
Like I was saying to MK the other day. Worst case, why doesn't Disney make a new PC version of the film with a current storyline. Retain the great songs and make new segments with Brer Rabbit and the rest. At least then we could have a film we can buy that contains the songs and shows the world of Splash Mountain on film.
Then of course the double disc set can contain the original movie.
Then of course the double disc set can contain the original movie.