Salon Entertainment columnist Andrew O’Hehir has written an article on the Top 10 Greatest Missing Movies, one of which is none other than Walt Disney’s Song of the South. O’Hehir covers a wide range of films, from those that are “well and truly missing” to the ones that “can’t be seen because those who own them simply don’t want you to see them” (guess which movie he’s talking about.) Here is the list of films, in order:
- Greed (Erich von Stroheim, 1924)
- The Mountain Eagle (Alfred Hitchcock, 1927)
- The Great Gatsby (Herbert Brenon, 1926)
- The Magnificent Ambersons (Orson Welles, 1942)
- Song of the South (Harve Foster and Wilfred Jackson, 1946)
- Looking for Mr. Goodbar (Richard Brooks, 1977)
- Let It Be (Michael Lindsay-Hogg, 1970)
- The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (Peter Greenaway, 1989)
- Catch My Soul (Patrick McGoohan, 1974)
- The Day the Clown Cried (Jerry Lewis, 1972)
O’Hehir describes Song of the South thusly: “This Disney mixture of live action, animation and highly uncomfortable race relations definitely exists, and if you’ve got $150 or so burning a hole in your pocket, you can buy it on VHS tape. Sooner or later, you’d have to think the corporate suits in Mouseland will find the right context for a collector’s edition DVD: Essays by Henry Louis Gates and Cornel West? Earnest panel discussions on the Jim Crow era and the depiction of African-Americans in Hollywood? I’ve never seen “Song of the South” in its entirety and I’m sure it’s got many cringe-worthy moments, but can anyone possibly deny its cultural and historical importance?”
(Indeed, which is why we’re still trying to get Song of the South to be added to the United States Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. Click here for more information on how you can easily nominate the movie yourself.)
I found O’Hehir’s article to be very interesting, as most of these films I had never heard of before now.
Click here to read the full article on Salon.com. Thank you to D.Z. for the news report!
of all the people to try to encourage the film even more, I never though Andrew of Salon Entertainment would be the one.
Sorry, Disney, I don’t care if you’d rather NOT let the people see this film; the people who are fans of this LIKE, and/or LOVE the movie, reguardless of the racism within it. and I’m sorry to say this, but they, Mr. O’Hehir and I are NOT taking “No” for an answer, weather you like it, or not
I am still amazed at how this film can be claimed as racial! the hero of the story is black for Gods sake!
the concept or “notion” that the former slaves “seem, too happy” because they are singing as they walk from the fields after a hard days work, is absurd………..this is a historical fact!, and many songs sprang from these fields…..during time of slavery!
Should they stop singing since they are no longer slaves?
I would love to debate this film with someone who has actually seen the movie…..or simply sit down with someone like Cornel West (whom I admire greatly) and watch it with him, and maybe gain a different perspective…….because I just don’t get the “racial” part of the argument.
I remember seeing this as a child
I saw it once and it was and is my favorite childhood movie.
I was young and did not think about slavery when I watched it!
A wonderful heart felt movie and I think the climate has changed and maybe Disney doesn’t want to taint its rep but it did make the film.
I will buy it and show all ,I loved the ol man wheres the hate in that?
It too was my favorite movie as a young child. I still hum Zipity Do Da, Zipity Day, my oh my what a wonderful day ……..
I am making sure my grandchildren see it as often as they wish. Maybe it’ll bring tears to their eyes like it still does mine.
Uncle Remus did more good for race relations in the United States during one screening of “Song Of The South” than the NAACP has done in it’s entire sorry history of crying racism.
I grew up listening to Uncle Remus on the radio. Song of The South is still my favorite child hood movie. My grandchildren ages 16 & 19 have watched it all of their lives, and still do. I just sent a copy to my Grandaughter in college! All of my neices and nephews grew up with the movie. I have recently had some not so good news regarding my health, but on the way to work this morning on XM Seriusly Sinatra of all places, Uncle Remus greeted me with How do you do? When I heard Uncle Remus singing Zippa De Do Dah, I knew all was right and it was gonna be a Wonderful Day. Come on people llisten to the REAL moral of the story. This same group of Disney execs are the one that allowed the inane movie about David The Bubble Boy( whom I have known since birth) be made and sent out into the world. They truly hurt David’s family…but I believe we had the last laugh, because it was a universal flop as it should have been. Walt Disney has probably clawed the lining out of his casket over this bunch of clowns!