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You Want Your 'Song of the South.'
Of course it should be released!!! Great film ! Academy Award winner ! Award for "Uncle Remus" himself. Great animation. A historical piece of Americana that does no injustice to anyone. Do we ban WW II films because they depict bad treatment of Germans or Japanese or our own American soldiers ? Or because they depict the Holocaust ? It's an award-winning Disney film that should be available for all to see. If those who object don't want to watch it, they don't have to buy it or rent it, do they ? Best wishes and thanks for asking for opinions. -- Jonnie King St. Louis In my opinion, Disney's Song of the South should be re-released. As Americans, we know little enough about the history of our country and how that history is and was represented in the media. I believe the re-release of this film could be an excellent way to stimulate these kind of important discussions. We should not hide from our past, nor should we only promote those images that we think the American public will find tasteful or political correct. By the same token, we should not spend all our time pointing out "bad examples" of organizations and individuals who stereotyped images of people of color (particularly images of African Americans). Isn't it better to use those images as a point of reference for where we are today, and where we want to be in the future? If we are ever to truly appreciate the full diversity that is America, these kinds of questions need to be addressed. It also will help assure that we are not involved in the promotion of negativity in the future. Disney has come a long way in its presentation of other cultures in feature films (Mulan, Lion King, Pocahontas). Even if we want to blame them for making missteps, I believe we should also credit them for making an effort to reach out. Sincerely, Prof. William H. Foster III As a child many years ago, I saw SOTS in the theater and loved and expanded my understanding of a race I knew nothing about up here in Maine. The film provided me with an example that the black man had a great wisdom of life that, as a child, made me laugh feel good and remove any fear of the unknown race I might have in the future as I grew up. As I now look back at my life of 64 years, I remember that some of the best and most memorable times I ever had were influenced by the film, Song of the South. It is my hope that this film is taken from the vaults of Disney, and like the showing after the second world war, provide a new era of relaxing tension, education, and love for my grandchildren and the children of the world. Sincerely, William R. Rice Jr. Wilton, Maine Please, by all means, release Song of the South! If we can survive Birth of a Nation, we can survive Disney. -- Kevguy11 Yes! I think Disney should release Song of the South. They should also release Dr.Syn, The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh. The Scarecrow movie was shown on three Sundays in February of 1964 on TV's Wonderful World of Disney. It happened to be the same three Sundays that THE BEATLES appeared on Ed Sullivan's Show for the first time. Rumor has it that Disney Co.thinks it is too violent to be released. Before the Disney cable channel began showing old ABC network repeats, it would air Scarecrow twice a year. It was scheduled for DVD release in August 2004, but was pulled because it was not considered family vacation fare.There is a big write-in campaign to get this released on DVD with the feature film version and the three-part television version included. Thank you for allowing me to vent my frustration. -- Lee Doll Catonsville, MD Yes, it has lots of stereotypes, and the live action sequences drag a bit, but it deserves to be seen and reevaluated. -- Steve Hanson As an African American [audience] member, I don't really see what all the fuss is about with releasing Song of the South. WDW has a ride based on the movie in its parks, and I don't see anyone objecting to riding it or objecting to its presence in the park, so why object to seeing the movie? I mean, let's face it, Gone With the Wind has the exact same depiction of blacks in the South as this film does, and yet it is hailed as a masterpiece year after year in memorabilia and constant television release. Unfortunately for that time period, it is a truthful depiction of the way blacks were treated in America. I am a big fan of both of these films despite the unfavorable depiction of blacks, and I hope that its release will be approved. -- Tonja M. Absolutely - release the DVD. This is one of Disney's best films. The charges of racism are bogus. It's illustrating a period in American history that really did exist. To show something as it was is not racist in any sense of the word. I saw this as a kid and loved it, as well as all the comic book stories about Brer Rabbit and his gang. I've also read the original Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris and they are wonderful. This film has been on the shelf too long. Everyone should see it. -- Joseph Borbas YES, re-release Song of the South. I have a DVD copy of it now, but would buy a new copy of it. Actor James Baskett was a great actor and singer. Some people are too "thin-skinned" Get over it and get a life. I have German, English, Swiss and American Indian blood in me and what anyone might think about that I could care less. Song of the South is a great film and should be seen by anyone who wants to to see it. This is not Nazi Germany of the 1930s with book burnings. -- Donna M. Street Disney should release Song of the South to DVD. The mixture of live and animation is interesting, given the time that it was released. It won two academy awards. I do agree with the idea of a second disc to explain the historic context. -- Jeffry Andreasen It's about time!! -- John and Esther Diestel Eisner should definitely release Song of the South. The copies that are readily available today are poor quality and incomplete. The film is no worse in its depiction of African-Americans than Gone With The Wind. It is a period piece that acurately reflects the period, and the black characters are not slaves since the time period is well after the Civil War. This was a landmark film in its mix of live action and animation with a classic song as well. And it has one of the best performances the late Ruth Warwick ever gave. It is just a shame that she passed away just before the DVD release was announced as she would have been quite pleased. -- worldcandies6 In response to your question, "Should Disney re-release Song of the South?" Absolutely! Song of the South is a charming, if dated, fantasy that is actually more important as a result of its now politically incorrect racial stereotyping. Our country has always struggled with racial issues. New generations are perceptive enough to recognize that attitudes regarding race have evolved from Joel Chandler Harris' day to the time this movie was produced to now. Song of the South was created with mainstream 1940's attitudes. Young people of today should get a glimpse of the America that we were then in order to better understand the nation we are now. They will also appreciate the humor, inspired music, and good natured intentions of the film. Recent Dumbo releases have included an apologia at the beginning or in included shorts asking that viewers be understanding and apologizing in advance to anyone who's sensitivities are offended. The same treatment should be applied here. -- Mark S. Miller Berkeley, CA Dear Scoop, I think that Song of the South should not be released because of the racial overtones. Sincerely, Roger North I'm against censorship. Many films out there have something in them that offends somebody. Should Gone With The Wind or Birth Of A Nation be banned? Sure there are depictions of certain groups in them that rankle some people but they also have many outstanding qualities in them. I say make these films available, and we can discuss whatever issues are bothering people. Song of the South was made as a fun entertaining movie of its time. People's views of things can change over time. I honestly don't believe viewing this film will increase racism in our country. -- ReallyJustRelax@aol.com |
