Um…Redboss? I don’t know if I’m misreading you, but you do know that the cartoons* are exceptionally faithful reproductions of several stories of one of the best black writers of the 19th century, right? I mean, the dialect in the cartoons is just like it is in the Joel Chandler Harris (Uncle Remus) stories, as is the plots, etc. And I’ve seen analysis that say that Bre’r Rabbit vs Br’er Fox and Bear is supposed to be a slaves vs whites allegory (I don’t see it myself).
I mean, feel free to dislike it all you want, but I don’t see how reproducing black literature can be “shallow, patronising” and stereotypical.
On the other hand, if you’re talking about the live action stuff between the cartoons, well… < coughs > umm…
Well,yes, I was talking about that and the fact that Disney likes to put a movie out in theatres, keep it there for a few months and then when it finally makes it to video/dvd, they only keep it on shelves for a very SHORT period of time (ex."Beauty and the Beast,sp. ed…total time in stores…2 mos)before ‘retiring’ it to the Vault for an absurd length of time. There are a few Disney movies I’d like to own on DVD but I can’t get them because they are in the Vault right now. That or they haven’t released the movies I’d like to get on DVD yet for whatever reason(ex. Lady and the Tramp,Cinderella,The Black Cauldron) and the videos aren’t available either due to being in the Vault.
IDBB: I have definitely seen a DVD copy of The Black Cauldron in stores. It was insanely expensive (just like all other Disney DVDs), so I left it there, but it is certainly possible to find on DVD.
Sooner or later, I will go back there with enough money in my pocket to once again join my old friends Taran and Gurgi . . .
I also found it rather dull. The cute animal cartoon segments are funny but the film itself is flat. The little rich white boy really was very annoying too. It’s kind of a trivial complaint but the kid just got on my nerves so much.
It’s no Mary Poppins (a film I do enjoy, very much), that’s for sure. Of course, that’s just my opinion.
P.S. The Story of Menstruation was a short film Disney did for hire for International Cellucotton Co. in 1946. Disney doesn’t own the film. Disney did a lot of contract work like that over the years, especially in the health sciences field: Hemo the Magnificent (directed by Frank Capra, no less!), Understanding Stresses and Strains, numerous others.
‘Tis a fool indeed that would enter into dispute with Loki’s great wolf, Fenris, but here goes:
Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus stories that Song of the South is derived from, was a white man who lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The fables were written in the 1870’s.
Harris did a great deal of fieldwork to get the stories and dialects of area black persons accurate.
The stories themselves are African-Americanized versions of tales that originated in Africa. Reputable researchers have identified West African precursors for over two thirds of the two hundred “Uncle Remus” tales.
The current (Jan/Feb 2003) issue of Oxford American magazine discusses Joel Chandler Harris, his literary works, and the Song of the South movie at length. Their article also includes discussion about the racial implications of the stories, both past and present, pro and con.
I would recommend that anyone who has a serious interest in this subject check out the magazine story.
As a kid, my mom subscribed to this Disney Storybook thingy for me, and I have TONS of books from Disney-based on the movies and short cartoons.
I had quite a few Bre’er Rabbit books, including one where he jumps in a mess of tar and twigs and stuff and chases after the Fox and the Bear and scares the bejeezus out of them.
They were always my favorite as a kid-was that in the movies?
I saw the movie when I was little, and loved it. I think I must have had the record album and books, too, because I remember the songs and B’rer Rabbit stories. But when I saw it again as a college student, in the 1980’s, I remember feeling a little shocked and offended at the blatant stereotyping. I also recall leaving the theater feeling that the quality of the movie was really lousy.
The Great Bird of Memory craps on my head again – I remember Hemo! Man, I used to love those films. Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom was a particular favorite.
jr8–if you love Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom–go buy yourself a copy (if’n ya can find it!)of Fantasia 2000. It’s in the “Bonus Features” section of that DVD.
Lady and the Tramp is out on DVD – my brother found it for my mom’s last birthday. However, he had to get it online somewhere and paid $40 for it. I think it’s been withdrawn so it’s REALLY hard to find.
I was shocked when I saw Dumbo as an adult, just recently. My mom got it for my 3 year old son to watch, and we were all horrified at the racial stereotyping of the “blackbird”, etc. I imagine the reaction would be the same if I saw Song of the South now.
Of course, what was perhaps even more horrifying was that none of us (including my parents) remembered being horrified back in the day…
That or they haven’t released the movies I’d like to get on DVD yet for whatever reason(ex. Lady and the Tramp,Cinderella,The Black Cauldron) and the videos aren’t available either due to being in the Vault.
