Song of the South: Coming Out of the Closet?
So for the moment, the Wren’s Nest’s copy of the November 10, 1946 edition of the Atlanta Journal is gracing the front page of ajc.com. Yes, that’s it above. No, I can’t figure out how to get rid of that white space on the side.
The powers that be have decided to string along rabid Song of the South and Joel Chandler Harris fans a little bit more at Disney’s shareholders meeting earlier this month.
Disney CEO Robert Iger:
“The question of `Song of the South’ comes up periodically, in fact it was raised at last year’s annual meeting. And since that time, we’ve decided to take a look at it again because we’ve had numerous requests about bringing it out. Our concern was that a film that was made so many decades ago being brought out today perhaps could be either misinterpreted or that it would be somewhat challenging in terms of providing the appropriate context.”
For clips of the movie, go here.
For the AJC blog with, so far, many opinions, go here.
For the AP article, go here.
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Amber Suitt
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Lain Shakespeare
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9 Comments to Song of the South: Coming Out of the Closet?
AP article featured on CNN.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/28/film.songofthesouth.ap/index.html
I like the statement made in the AP article that says “However, Pappas said he thinks the movie should be rereleased because of its historical significance. He said it should be prefaced, and closed, with present-day statements.”
I totally agree with this. Do a nice deluxe edition DVD and have several features on it that explain the context the film was made in. It is a great chance for education. If done well, it could be fantastic. A piece on folklore in general and the place in literature the tales have would be nice. Heck a nice 20 minute bio piece about Chandler and thr Wren’s nest would be great too.
Yes, I think it’s a very good idea. Let me be the first to offer up the Wren’s Nest grounds for the re-release party. Or the after party. Or both.
The Wren’s Nest hosted several press events in 1946, and I think it would be fitting to reprise that role in 2000whenever.
BTW, SOTS got a mention on the Daily Show last night. Might want to check out the website. It was made during a segment talking about Disney making the princess in it’s newest animated film black.
Haha, nice catch.
“Even the Lion King had no black people and it was set in Africa.” Pretty good.
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/the_daily_show/videos/larry_wilmore/index.jhtml?playVideo=84572&rsspartner=rssBloglines
That link should work.
After visiting JC’s museum in Eatonton last week, and then seeing your post here about Song of the South, I was reminded of a hilarious clip I saw on Saturday Night Live last year.
It’s one of the “TV funhouse” clips about the Disney Vault. There’s a Song of the South shout-out on there….although perhaps not the version that WE’VE seen….funny stuff.
http://www.transbuddha.com/mediaHolder.php?id=1706
Nice, Todd. I hadn’t seen that. I never understood why Mickey Mouse was so funny, either.
Yes ,I think Song Of the South should come out of the closet.It is a good wholesome movie that shows a lot of love,caring,and understanding. Little children don’t see color. Song Of the South is a very entertaining movie. It’s a better movie than the ones they have out today.
I think that the film should be let out. I know that a lot of people who are very kind hearted dont want this movie out because that it will offend people.The times were very very bad back then.Very evil. And it was not a time to be happy at all.But they still tried to keep their spirits up and they did sing to keep their spirits alive.They even told stories. Singing and story telling is pure magic.Even ten years after the African americans were set free they still enjoyed singing(Which is when this film takes place)
The two boys play together and they dont care what color they are and bobby looks up to uncle Remus as a second father.So its a very beautiful story of love and respect caring and excepting others