Disney Is Still Struggling With Controversial Cartoon Characters From Its Past..... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-25-2011, 08:47 PM

A buck-toothed, squinty-eyed Chinese cook. A pickaninny centaurette who shines hooves. A tar baby. A red-faced Indian Chief who says "Ugh" and "How."

What do these characters all have in common? They were created by Walt Disney Productions artists for inclusion in feature-length animated films that this Studio released in the 1940s and 1950s. But as America's attitude toward racial stereotypes began changing as the country entered the 1960s, Disney started making trims to the productions that these controversial characters appeared in. And in the case of 1946's Song of the South (i.e. the live-action animated Academy Award-winner which served as a precursor to Disney favorites like Mary Poppins, Bedknobs & Broomsticks and Pete's Dragon), it's been a quarter century since that movie was last shown theatrically in the United States.

And even though stateside animation fans regularly make appearances at Disney's annual meetings and plead for this film to be released on Blu-ray & DVD (At this year's meeting of shareholders in Salt Lake City, when the Song of the South re-release issue once again came up, Bob Iger mentioned that he & the members of Disney's board had been joking backstage. Wondering if they'd actually be able to make it through one of these proceedings without someone then asking about Song of the South), this film remains locked away in the Disney vault and is likely to remain there at least until Iger exits the Walt Disney Company in 2016.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-hi...ent+Inbound%29

born2late · 10-25-2011, 11:33 PM

I think if they release the movie, it should be released in it's entirety. Good grief, it's a Disney movie. There are always going to be thin skinned folks crying about sterotypes, but it was a sign of those times. They don't have to watch it. I would love to see this Disney classic released, uncensored of course.

old grouch · 10-26-2011, 10:40 AM

I have always been a little curious to see 'The Song of the South' simply because of the controversy that surrounds it. I hope that it will be re-released one day so that we can judge it for ourselves.

Vahan · 10-26-2011, 10:47 AM

It can be found on VHS in Europe and in laserdisc format in Japan and Asia if you don't feel like going for bootleg copies. The laserdisc costs a fortune to buy on Ebay.

This film is gonna turn 65 next month, BTW. It had its world premiere at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. I've seen this film a few times and it's anything but racist. The only thing racist about it is that James Baskett, who played Uncle Remus, was unable to attend the premiere, because Atlanta was still a segregated city.

MrCleveland · 10-26-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vahan

It can be found on VHS in Europe and in laserdisc format in Japan and Asia if you don't feel like going for bootleg copies. The laserdisc costs a fortune to buy on Ebay.

This film is gonna turn 65 next month, BTW. It had its world premiere at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. I've seen this film a few times and it's anything but racist. The only thing racist about it is that James Baskett, who played Uncle Remus, was unable to attend the premiere, because Atlanta was still a segregated city.

That was the same problem that Hattie McDaniel had when the debut of "Gone with the Wind" made its debut...and Clark Gable didn't like the scenario (He was VERY good friends with McDaniel, he even played a joke on her in the movie when he was Rhett and poured REAL Whiskey in her glass).

But the Disney Movie that I enjoy is..."The Three Caballeros"! Some people think that it degrades Hispanics, but Brazilians have and will like the character Jose (named Ze in Brazil) Carioca.

Will that film be vaulted and released in the year Two Thousand and Never?

born2late · 10-26-2011, 10:51 PM

There is too much political correctness in the world. They are afraid someone will be offended. Big deal, it didn't use to be this bad. If some people are that easily offended, they need to put on their big girl panties and grow up. Getting down from

now.

comedyfreak · 10-28-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

That was the same problem that Hattie McDaniel had when the debut of "Gone with the Wind" made its debut...and Clark Gable didn't like the scenario (He was VERY good friends with McDaniel, he even played a joke on her in the movie when he was Rhett and poured REAL Whiskey in her glass).

But the Disney Movie that I enjoy is..."The Three Caballeros"! Some people think that it degrades Hispanics, but Brazilians have and will like the character Jose (named Ze in Brazil) Carioca.

Will that film be vaulted and released in the year Two Thousand and Never?

I had Three Caballeros on vhs and I didn't like the movie, to me it was boring kinda slow not for me. I wish they would release Song Of The South.

Vahan · 10-28-2011, 12:23 PM

If you wanna learn more about Song of the South head on over to songofthesouth.net, the largest fansite for the film. It has everything there is to know about the film, including the handful of official home video versions that were released overseas.

Schmoopie · 10-31-2011, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old grouch

I have always been a little curious to see 'The Song of the South' simply because of the controversy that surrounds it. I hope that it will be re-released one day so that we can judge it for ourselves.

A friend of mine copied it for me from his VHS copy and even made a cover for it from his computer. When I first got the DVD I could have sworn that it was a real DVD cover because it amazing.

I've only watched the movie once since I received it but I really liked it. I didn't really see anything controversial in it at all.

Regulus · 10-31-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I've only watched the movie once since I received it but I really liked it. I didn't really see anything controversial in it at all.

Seconded!

BTW I got my Copy from a Garage Sale that a Trailer Park holds each April and October. One Family sells Copies of this Movie for $1.00 each.

I keep wondering how long it will be before the Feds swoop in and put the kibosh on their operation, but it hasn't happened yet!

James · 11-19-2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by born2late

There is too much political correctness in the world. They are afraid someone will be offended. Big deal, it didn't use to be this bad. If some people are that easily offended, they need to put on their big girl panties and grow up. Getting down from

now.

10-25-2011, 08:47 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Disney Is Still Struggling With Controversial Cartoon Characters From Its Past..... A buck-toothed, squinty-eyed Chinese cook. A pickaninny centaurette who shines hooves. A tar baby. A red-faced Indian Chief who says "Ugh" and "How." What do these characters all have in common? They were created by Walt Disney Productions artists for inclusion in feature-length animated films that this Studio released in the 1940s and 1950s. But as America's attitude toward racial stereotypes began changing as the country entered the 1960s, Disney started making trims to the productions that these controversial characters appeared in. And in the case of 1946's Song of the South (i.e. the live-action animated Academy Award-winner which served as a precursor to Disney favorites like Mary Poppins, Bedknobs & Broomsticks and Pete's Dragon), it's been a quarter century since that movie was last shown theatrically in the United States. And even though stateside animation fans regularly make appearances at Disney's annual meetings and plead for this film to be released on Blu-ray & DVD (At this year's meeting of shareholders in Salt Lake City, when the Song of the South re-release issue once again came up, Bob Iger mentioned that he & the members of Disney's board had been joking backstage. Wondering if they'd actually be able to make it through one of these proceedings without someone then asking about Song of the South), this film remains locked away in the Disney vault and is likely to remain there at least until Iger exits the Walt Disney Company in 2016. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-hi...ent+Inbound%29
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

10-25-2011, 11:33 PM	#2
born2late Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2011 Location: Tn Posts: 360	I think if they release the movie, it should be released in it's entirety. Good grief, it's a Disney movie. There are always going to be thin skinned folks crying about sterotypes, but it was a sign of those times. They don't have to watch it. I would love to see this Disney classic released, uncensored of course.

10-26-2011, 10:40 AM	#3
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	I have always been a little curious to see 'The Song of the South' simply because of the controversy that surrounds it. I hope that it will be re-released one day so that we can judge it for ourselves.

10-26-2011, 10:47 AM	#4
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	It can be found on VHS in Europe and in laserdisc format in Japan and Asia if you don't feel like going for bootleg copies. The laserdisc costs a fortune to buy on Ebay. This film is gonna turn 65 next month, BTW. It had its world premiere at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. I've seen this film a few times and it's anything but racist. The only thing racist about it is that James Baskett, who played Uncle Remus, was unable to attend the premiere, because Atlanta was still a segregated city.

10-26-2011, 10:51 PM	#6
born2late Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2011 Location: Tn Posts: 360	There is too much political correctness in the world. They are afraid someone will be offended. Big deal, it didn't use to be this bad. If some people are that easily offended, they need to put on their big girl panties and grow up. Getting down from now.

10-28-2011, 12:23 PM	#8
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	If you wanna learn more about Song of the South head on over to songofthesouth.net, the largest fansite for the film. It has everything there is to know about the film, including the handful of official home video versions that were released overseas.