SongoftheSouth.net
 

Thursday, May 29, 2003

By JACKIE MAJERUS
Staff Writer

BRISTOL – "Song of the South," a controversial Walt Disney movie that hasn’t been seen in the theater in more than 15 years – and has never been released on video in the United States – is making a comeback in Bristol.

The 1946 color film starring James Baskett as Uncle Remus will be shown Friday and Saturday as a fund-raiser for the Silver Screen Movie Museum.

"This is obviously a special event," said Mark Mitchell, a Disney artist and historian and a member of the museum’s board of directors. Mitchell will be at the screening to introduce the film, which tells the story of how the kindly Uncle Remus, an African-American man, befriends a white boy whose parents have separated.

Set on a plantation in the Civil War South, the man takes on a grandfatherly role, teaching and entertaining the child with stories about "Brer Rabbit," "Brer Fox" and "Brer Bear."

"It’s just a good family film," said film historian Cortlandt Hull, who is director of the museum.

Beyond that, Mitchell said the film is technically remarkable for the "flawless" combination of live action with animation.

But opponents call the film racist and complain that it sugarcoats the relationship between Uncle Remus and the plantation owner.

Mitchell said there are so many rumors about "Song of the South" that he doesn’t know myth from reality. But he said the film is not derogatory, though it is a period piece.

"You can’t change history," said Mitchell.

The movie is "lighthearted," with a wonderful story, terrific characters and "great morals," said Mitchell.

Hull said he doesn’t expect anyone to object to the screening, unless they’ve never seen the film. Anyone that’s seen it, said Hull, would see it as a charming story.

Hull said he decided to show the film after having scores of people request it in the last several years. Many of those who asked for "Song of the South" said they’d seen it as children and wanted to share the experience with their own children, said Hull.

"There were enough people that were asking for it that I thought we ought to try it," said Hull.

In the early 1970s, Mitchell said, Disney executives "got scared" and, not wanting to the movie to offend anyone, "decided to put it away forever." But they changed their minds, Mitchell said, and re-released it in 1986.

"It was a huge success," said Mitchell. "They were overjoyed. They made a pot full of money."

But since then, said Mitchell, it’s been buried again, and he said he doesn’t know why.
A recent Disney book includes photos of all the posters for the company’s movies – except one.
"It doesn’t even mention ‘Song of the South,’" said Mitchell. "Since the last release, there hasn’t been any mention of it."

"They are little bit overboard, I believe, in being politically correct," said Hull. "They’re more or less trying to forget that it happened."

"Nobody … wanted to rock the boat. It’s just too bad," said Mitchell. "I think it’s just as important as any of the other films."

Now, it’s nearly impossible to see the film, though British versions of the video are available on Ebay for about $100.

"You can’t go out and buy it," said Mitchell. "Nobody has it. You’d have to go underground to get a copy of the thing."

Overseas, it’s another story.

"It’s very popular in other countries, especially in Japan," said Mitchell, who said his own copy is a laser disk that plays in Japanese and English.

"It’s funny to hear them sing ‘Zip-a-dee-doo-da’ in Japanese," Mitchell said.

The song, which won an Academy Award, is a mainstay in Disney culture, said Hull.

Hull said "Song of the South" came from the same era as "Gone With the Wind," which had a major re-release not long ago and is readily available for purchase.

Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar for her role as best supporting actress in "Gone With the Wind," also stars in "Song of the South."

Hull said there are scenes in "Gone With the Wind" that are far more offensive than any in "Song of the South."

"Song of the South," along with three Goofy cartoons, will be shown at the Forestville Theatres at 815 Pine St. in Bristol. Showtimes are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $2.50 for all seats, and proceeds go to the museum’s new building fund.