Want Disney to release Song of the South on VHS and DVD? Read here. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian · 01-10-2004, 12:35 AM

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, I'll explain. Song of the South was a Disney film released in 1946. The film is about a boy named Johnny - played by the late tragic child star Bobby Driscoll (probably best known for the voice of the titular character in Peter Pan) - who learns his parents are separating and that his father is going to be away for a while while Johnny and his mother are at his grandmother's plantation. Depressed, Johnny runs away and meets a popular man in the area named Uncle Remus (played by James Baskett, who won a special Oscar for his performance). During the film, Remus tells Johnny three stories that paralleled his troubles. These animated stories are about Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Bear, and Br'er Fox. The first story is the story where Br'er Rabbit runs away from his troubles at his briar patch, only to run into a new set of them when he is captured in Br'er Fox's trap. Br'er Rabbit tricks a strong but inept Br'er Bear into releasing him. The second story is the tar baby story, which emphasizes the fact that nobody should be meddling in other people's affairs that aren't that person's business. In this case, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear use a figure made out of tar to trap the rabbit. The rabbit gets away using reverse psychology on the pair. The third was the laughing place story, in which Br'er Rabbit fools Br'er Bear into getting attacked by bees.
Meanwhile, Johnny's mother is not pleased with Uncle Remus because his stories are causing trouble. Dejected, Remus leaves because he feels he isn't wanted. After an indident in which Johnny is hit by a bull, Remus and Johnny's father return and, like every Disney movie, everything turns out for the best.
This movie was one of several Disney films (like The Three Caballeros) which combined live actors with animated figures. The popular song, "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", won an Oscar.

Disney has never released this film on DVD or VHS in the US and it hasn't been re-released in the United States since 1986 (the film's 40th anniversary). Right now the only places where you can see these stories are the Splash Mountain rides located at Disneyland in Anaheim, California and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Now down to the nitty gritty. A long while ago, an individual started a Song of the South petition to Disney to get it relased on DVD. It hasn't been updated since November 12, 2003 but as of then 45,314 people have signed it. I am one of the people that have signed it because I feel that going on Splash Mountain isn't enough to enjoy it. The petition is located at this web site:

http://www.uncleremuspages.com/dpp.html

There are other ways to get your message to Disney. Read the first question of the below link for more information.

http://songofthesouth.net/faq/index.html

Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you want to read more on this movie, here is the best site out there dedicated to the subject. It has song lyrics, a plot overview, a critical analysis by the site's administrator, and even the script, plus a lot more stuff. I recommend you check it out.

http://songofthesouth.net/home.html

webuster · 01-10-2004, 12:01 PM

I'll vote- I haven't seen the film in a few years now but it used to be one of my favourite films when I was really young (I loved live action/animation mixed films- when I was like 5 I was addicted to the film Pete's Dragon apparently). I think it's great- and there's nothing at all racist about it. It used to be on every christmas in the UK- this year was probably the first it wasn't. But- definitely, everyone should see this film.

musicradio77 · 01-11-2004, 03:49 PM

I've haven't seen that movie before, but I heard the song on the radio yesterday called "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" by Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans and I saw the clip from the very first "Disneyland" TV show from 1954.

Dean Winchester · 01-11-2004, 04:14 PM

I think they should release it whether people find it offensive or not. I mean, MOST tv shows or movies out there have some group of people who are going to be offended by it. IMO, if you don't like what it's about, don't buy it. It IS a Disney classic, and the movie actually played theaters in 1986 when I was a kid (I remember going to a movie and seeing the trailer for the reissue). If it wasn't "too offensive" in 1986, why would it be now? It's not like it was 40 years ago

Brian · 01-24-2004, 08:55 PM

As of 1/20/2004 the petition has now broke the 50,000 mark. There are now at least 50,131 signatures on the Song of the South Petition.

01-10-2004, 12:35 AM	#1
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Want Disney to release Song of the South on VHS and DVD? Read here. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, I'll explain. Song of the South was a Disney film released in 1946. The film is about a boy named Johnny - played by the late tragic child star Bobby Driscoll (probably best known for the voice of the titular character in Peter Pan) - who learns his parents are separating and that his father is going to be away for a while while Johnny and his mother are at his grandmother's plantation. Depressed, Johnny runs away and meets a popular man in the area named Uncle Remus (played by James Baskett, who won a special Oscar for his performance). During the film, Remus tells Johnny three stories that paralleled his troubles. These animated stories are about Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Bear, and Br'er Fox. The first story is the story where Br'er Rabbit runs away from his troubles at his briar patch, only to run into a new set of them when he is captured in Br'er Fox's trap. Br'er Rabbit tricks a strong but inept Br'er Bear into releasing him. The second story is the tar baby story, which emphasizes the fact that nobody should be meddling in other people's affairs that aren't that person's business. In this case, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear use a figure made out of tar to trap the rabbit. The rabbit gets away using reverse psychology on the pair. The third was the laughing place story, in which Br'er Rabbit fools Br'er Bear into getting attacked by bees. Meanwhile, Johnny's mother is not pleased with Uncle Remus because his stories are causing trouble. Dejected, Remus leaves because he feels he isn't wanted. After an indident in which Johnny is hit by a bull, Remus and Johnny's father return and, like every Disney movie, everything turns out for the best. This movie was one of several Disney films (like The Three Caballeros) which combined live actors with animated figures. The popular song, "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", won an Oscar. Disney has never released this film on DVD or VHS in the US and it hasn't been re-released in the United States since 1986 (the film's 40th anniversary). Right now the only places where you can see these stories are the Splash Mountain rides located at Disneyland in Anaheim, California and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Now down to the nitty gritty. A long while ago, an individual started a Song of the South petition to Disney to get it relased on DVD. It hasn't been updated since November 12, 2003 but as of then 45,314 people have signed it. I am one of the people that have signed it because I feel that going on Splash Mountain isn't enough to enjoy it. The petition is located at this web site: http://www.uncleremuspages.com/dpp.html There are other ways to get your message to Disney. Read the first question of the below link for more information. http://songofthesouth.net/faq/index.html Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you want to read more on this movie, here is the best site out there dedicated to the subject. It has song lyrics, a plot overview, a critical analysis by the site's administrator, and even the script, plus a lot more stuff. I recommend you check it out. http://songofthesouth.net/home.html

01-11-2004, 03:49 PM	#3
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	I've haven't seen that movie before, but I heard the song on the radio yesterday called "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" by Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans and I saw the clip from the very first "Disneyland" TV show from 1954.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

01-10-2004, 12:01 PM	#2
webuster Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 26, 2002 Posts: 2,150	I'll vote- I haven't seen the film in a few years now but it used to be one of my favourite films when I was really young (I loved live action/animation mixed films- when I was like 5 I was addicted to the film Pete's Dragon apparently). I think it's great- and there's nothing at all racist about it. It used to be on every christmas in the UK- this year was probably the first it wasn't. But- definitely, everyone should see this film.

01-11-2004, 04:14 PM	#4
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I think they should release it whether people find it offensive or not. I mean, MOST tv shows or movies out there have some group of people who are going to be offended by it. IMO, if you don't like what it's about, don't buy it. It IS a Disney classic, and the movie actually played theaters in 1986 when I was a kid (I remember going to a movie and seeing the trailer for the reissue). If it wasn't "too offensive" in 1986, why would it be now? It's not like it was 40 years ago

01-24-2004, 08:55 PM	#5
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	As of 1/20/2004 the petition has now broke the 50,000 mark. There are now at least 50,131 signatures on the Song of the South Petition.