“Who’s Afraid of the Song of the South?” by Disney Historian Jim Korkis
Disney Historian Jim Korkis, well known for his columns on MousePlanet.com (including articles about Song of the South, under the pseudonym Wade Sampson), has just released the first ever book primarily focused on the history of Walt Disney’s Song of the South.
The book, entitled “Who’s Afraid of the Song of the South?” weighs in at 291 pages, with nearly 100 pages dedicated to the history, controversy, secrets and more surrounding the film. The remaining chapters detail many, many other “forbidden stories” about Disney. You are guaranteed to learn a lot from this book (I certainly did!)
The foreword is written by Disney Legend Floyd Norman, Disney’s first African-American animator and storyman. The book is also praised by film critic Leonard Maltin, CartoonBrew.com webmaster Jerry Beck, MouseTracksOnline.com webmaster Greg Ehrbar, and yours truly.
The book is currently available on Amazon.com in paperback ($19.95) and digital Kindle edition ($7.99). If you are interested in Song of the South, or just Disney history in general, this book is an absolute must read!
My sincere thanks goes out to Jim for all his time and effort to make this book a reality, and to editor Bob McLain of Theme Park Press. Read the full press release here.
Please let me know when the physical book is available. This looks great!
Hi Dana!
I picked up my hard copy of the physical book WHO’S AFRAID OF THE SONG OF THE SOUTH? AND OTHER FORBIDDEN DISNEY STORIES at a Barnes & Noble bookstore located near Rochester, New York a couple of days ago. I’ve already read it ‘cover to cover’ once. It was that interesting ‘a read’! (I’m sure I’ll take many opportunities to ‘re-read’ it again as ‘time goes by’.)
I would concur with others who praised author Jim Korkis for his ‘masterful’ job in relaying history about the Disney Company that has ‘more or less’ been obscured to the public at large. Consider the book as a supplement or perhaps as an appendix to THE ART OF WALT DISNEY: FROM MICKEY MOUSE TO THE MAGIC KINGDOMS by Chistopher Finch. It reads very much like that also notable book on the history of Walt Disney and the company he founded.
I should mention though that editor Bob McLain in his disclaimer to the book clearly states, “…This book is neither authorized nor sponsored nor endorsed by the Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries. It is an unofficial and an unauthorized book and not a Disney product.”
That said…by all means get yourself a copy and enjoy!
Disney fans ‘worldwide’ are going to really like it, I’m sure.
Yours truly.
I liked how he included my question to Bob Iger from the 2011 shareholder meeting, albeit without referencing my name. And I don’t know if it is just how the audio from the meeting sounds but everyone keeps citing the first part of that incorrectly as Bob Iger. The statement with a chuckle of “We almost got through the meeting!” was said by John Pepper. 🙂
Greetings, salutations and all good things:
This book definitely sounds like something I will probably purchase at a retail outlet bookstore like Barnes & Noble when available. It sounds like a book librarians across America will have on their bookshelves for check out. The book sounds like it’s going to be a huge bestseller!
This strikes me as another positive sign in a ‘preliminary’ marketing strategy by the Walt Disney Company for an anticipated 70th Anniversary release of SONG OF THE SOUTH in high definition on Blue-ray Disc in 2016!
As I’ve said before in comments on this webpage, who wouldn’t want to at least have the opportunity to experience Gregg Toland’s magnificent Technicolor cinematography for SONG OF THE SOUTH in high definition? (Again…for those not familiar with the artistry of Gregg Toland, he was the director of photography for the haunting Black & White cinematography on CITIZEN CANE.)
I’m sure Leonard Maltin will point that out also in his audio commentary for that Blue-ray release of SONG OF THE SOUTH in 2016.
Yours truly.
Hello everybody!
This comment is in response to Dana Countryman’s request to be notified when the hard copy of WHO’S AFRAID OF THE SONG OF THE SOUTH? AND OTHER FORBIDDEN DISNEY STORIES became available as a physical book: Dana…I purchased and picked up my copy yesterday (12.17.2012) at the Barnes & Noble store located in the Greece Ridge Mall near Rochester, New York.
The book is proving to be a terrific read. The first two major parts of the book (which I’ve read) are focused on SONG OF THE SOUTH the film. The third major part of the book delves into the ‘other forbidden Disney stories’. I’ve just finished reading the chapter entitled ‘WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LITTLE BLACK SUNFLOWER?’ from the film FANTASIA. Accordingly the other chapters in this third section of the book are entitled as follows:
‘DISNEY’S STORY OF MENSTUATION’
‘DISNEY ATTACKS VENEREAL DISEASE’
‘DISNEYLAND MEMORIAL ORGY POSTER STORY’
‘JESSICA RABBIT: DRAWN TO BE BAD’
‘MICKEY MOUSE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE’
‘WALT’S OWL NIGHTMARE’
‘THE MICKEY ROONEY MYTH’
‘J. EDGAR HOOVER WATCHES WALT’
‘THE MYTH OF WALT’S LAST WORDS’
‘WALT LIKED IKE’
‘DISNEY’S SECRET COMMERCIAL STUDIO’
‘THE SWEATBOX: THE DOCUMENTARY DISNEY DOESN’T WANT SEEN’
‘TIM BURTON’S REAL NIGHTMARE AT DISNEY’
”DISNEY JOHN CARTERS THAT NEVER WERE’
‘WARD KIMBALL AND UFOS’
‘WALT’S FANTASY FAILURE: BAUM’S OZ’.
I should also mention the disclaimer by the editor of the book Bob McLain located on the verso side of the tiltle page to the book that, “This book is neither authorized nor sponsored nor endorsed by the Disney Company or any of its subsidiaries. It is an unofficial and unauthorized book and not a Disney product.”
What more can I add…except enjoy! And of course ZIP-PAH-DEE-DOO-DAH (I hope I’m spelling that correctly…don’t want folks to think I’m illiterate)!!!!!
Yours truly.