Category Archives: Articles

SaveDisney.com Features Song of the South Articles Today

Roy Disney and Stanley Gold’s SaveDisney.com features three articles today about Walt Disney’s Song of the South. “Speaking of corporate suppression of art, Mr. Eisner:”

  • “Song of the South Fans Want Disney to Release its Ode to ‘Uncle Remus'” links to the archived article that Donald Liebensen of the L.A. Times wrote on May 7, 2003 entitled “Should dated films see the light of today?”
  • “Song of the South Adjusted Box Office Gross: $288.6m” points to boxofficereport.com‘s calculations that, when taking into account ticket price inflation for re-releases, Song of the South‘s adjusted box office gross weighs in at $288.6 million, making it the highest-grossing film that has never been released on home video in North America.
  • “Sign Song of the South Petition” urges everyone to join the 59,000 others who have added their names so far to James McKimson’s petition over atUncleRemusPages.com.

I hope that you all will also show your full support for Roy Disney and Stanley Gold by visiting their site SaveDisney.com and finding out how you can help restore Disney to its former glory. As reported on 2/14/04, Roy Disney fully supports the release of Song of the South, and said that releasing the movie would be one of his first acts if he were to return to the company. Thank you!

Song of the South Featured in Film Threat’s Bootleg Files Column

Author Phil Hall of Film Threat has chosen Song of the South for their first Bootleg Files column, a new column that discusses movies that are not commercially available. Among the topics covered in this article, Phil discusses why the movie is not available, and voices his opinions on what he feels is overall “simply not a great film.” He does feel, however, that ultimately Song of the South deserves to be seen. While I definitely think more of Walt’s first attempt at a live-action musical drama, Phil’s opinions are every bit as valid and make for an interesting and recommended read:

http://www.filmthreat.com/Features.asp?Id=774

Song of the South Article in Chicago Tribune

Yesterday saw an article released in the Chicago Tribune entitled “‘South’ Still Silent” and was written by Donald Liebenson, Special to the Tribune. This article is basically a re-edited version of Donald’s earlier article written for the L.A. Times on May 7 of this year entitled “Should dated films see the light of day?”

This new article is available to read here. (Free registration required.)

“In A Stew Over Brer Rabbit” Article in Scotland’s The Herald

Brian Pendreigh of Scotland’s The Herald has also taken the stand to report on Song of the South—its unavailability in the U.K. and U.S., its supporters, and the controversy surrounding other books and movies dealing with race that Song of the South has reportedly re-awoken.

Brian had contacted me a couple weeks back to interview me for this article. Apparently, the story stirred so much interest at The Herald that the article was expanded to about double its original size, filling up a whole broadsheet features page, with several pictures and a panel.

The article is located in the Comments area of the Feature section. A big thanks goes out to Brian for taking the time to create this great article and present this movie’s issues to our friends in Scotland!

This article has been archived.

L.A. Times Song of the South Article Printed Today

Donald Liebenson’s superb article “Should ‘dated’ films see the light of today?” has been printed in today’s L.A. Times. Donald spent a great deal of time on this article, and it shows. Among those he interviewed were Ruth Warrick, Leonard Maltin, Clarence Page, Diane Disney Miller, and myself (all of whom support the film’s release). He mentions both my web site and James McKimson’s UncleRemusPages.com and his petition.

Located in the Calendar section of the paper, the printed article also includes two publicity shots from the film, one large live action photo with James Baskett, Glenn Leedy, and Bobby Driscoll, and the other photo animated, showing Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby.

I want to personally thank Mr. Liebenson for his hard work on this article; he has done a great service both to supporters and to the movie itself. Thank you!

This article is no longer on the L.A. Times web site, but has been archived.

Who Framed Brer Rabbit?

MetroBEAT editor Chris Haire has written an excellent article that discusses “the truth about Disney’s classic & controversial Song of the South.” Indeed, Chris pulled out all the stops for this article, interviewing several individuals: myself, James McKimson of UncleRemusPages.com, Courtney Cromwell of Brer Rabbit Stew, author Karl Cohen of the recommended bookForbidden Animation, and Professors Susanna Ashton and R. Bruce Bickley, Jr.

This article is the most impressive effort I have seen to date that gives voice to the supporters of this movie’s release. Not to mention, the lead-in gave me a good laugh as well. My special thanks goes out to Chris for taking the time to write this article. You can also read the full transcript of my interview here.

Read the full article here.

Jim Hill Demystifies Song of the South’s Recent History

Why isn’t Song of the South available on VHS or DVD? Of all the explanations I’ve heard to date, Jim Hill of Jim Hill Media appears to shed the most light on this issue. In his recent January 27th article of “Why For?” he addresses one reader’s question of whether “we will ever see ‘Song of the South’ again.” In his response, Jim brings up several very interesting facts (albeit hearsay at this point) that I myself had never heard before now. He thoroughly covers all the issues starting from Song of the South‘s last theatrical release in 1986 all the way through to today, and ultimately predicts that Song of the South will be available for purchase on video and DVD “long before this decade is out.”

Read the full article: http://www.jimhillmedia.com/articles/01272003.1.htm

Also, remember to check the FAQ for ways we can make sure Disney knows we want this film released. We need to vote especially. Special thanks to Dave Strohmenger for informing me of this news item!

Leonard Maltin Supports Song of the South’s Release

Leonard Maltin, one of the country’s most recognized and respected film critics and historians, was recently interviewed in a December 3rd article from the Star Tribune entitled “Maltin is Goofy for Classic Disney.” The article discusses the Walt Disney Treasures series. On these DVDs, Maltin himself introduces the cartoons which might now be considered “politically incorrect,” explaining how times have since changed. The article mentions possibly using this same approach for Song of the South:

“‘I very much hope that the folks at Disney will release “Song of the South” sometime soon,’ Maltin said, ‘and use this same approach — to be responsible in explaining the times it depicts and the attitudes of the period in which it was made.'”

Such an approach to the film has been tossed around for quite awhile now, with even one unsubstantiated rumor of James Earl Jones doing the introduction. I personally support the idea, provided that the film remains unaltered, as did the cartoons which Maltin introduced. Thanks to Dave Strohmenger for informing me of this news item!

Author Rod Bennett “Goes to Bat” for Song of the South

Author Rod Bennett of Wonder Magazine has written an excellent article entitled “Going to Bat for Song of the South.” He defends the film wonderfully and I encourage you all to take the time to read it. Rod also generously included the SongoftheSouth.net banner.

There is one issue addressed in this article that I would like to clarify: while Song of the South may appear to have been set in an antebellum time period, I must stress that the movie is, in fact, set after the Civil War. Uncle Remus and the plantation workers are not being depicted as slaves.