Hello everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of Tiggerific Tuesday Trivia, that weekly series that shares with you some unique Disney Trivia for you to enjoy! Thank you for joining me and my cohorts Jodi from Magical Mouse Schoolhouse, Jenn from Disney Babies Blog, and Heidi from Heidi’s Head today!
Today’s trivia comes from the movie that would supply the theme for the great ride Splash Mountain — Song of the South!
Did you know…
That, on November 12, 1946, in Atlanta, Georgia, the movie Song of the South premiered at the Fox Theater! The film, based on the books by Joel Chandler Harris, is Walt’s first major plunge into live-action filmmaking (although it also contains animated segments). The kindhearted storyteller Uncle Remus (portrayed by James Baskett) tells a young boy stories about trickster Br’er Rabbit, who outwits Br’er Fox and slow-witted Br’er Bear. The premiere is sponsored jointly by the Atlanta Junior League and the Uncle Remus Memorial Association. In attendance is Walt Disney himself, who makes introductory remarks, introduces the cast and then surprisingly leaves the theater before the film starts. There is concern that Song of the South will encounter controversy. (The film and its hit songs including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah,” will later provide the inspiration for the Splash Mountain attractions at Disney theme parks.)
Personally, I’ve never seen Song of the South, and I know that there are some people that claim that the movie is racist. I’m unable to speak to that, but I would be interested to know what your thoughts are. Here’s what I do know, though — the song Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah is one of the most recognized songs to ever come out of a Disney movie — and what makes it even more remarkable is that Song of the South hasn’t been seen in the theaters since November, 1986…
I have been able to find a YouTube video with the Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah song, so please enjoy it, and thanks for stopping by! After you watch the video, make sure you click on the rest of the entries to see what they have to share!
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I would love to see this movie!
In my opinion, the movie is NOT racist, although, being caucasian, my opinion is secondary to the African-American community. Most miss the point that the movie is set AFTER the slaves were freed (after the Civil War) and from that stems most of the misconceptions about the movie.
I bought a PAL format copy from England and had it transferred to a VHS tape. The results were poor but good enough to see the entire movie.
In SotS, Uncle Remus is the main character and helps not only his own people but is also looked to for help and comfort by everyone else. He has dignity, respect, and wisdom. I honestly don’t see how anyone could feel that his movie puts African-Americans in a bad light!
Disney should release this movie as a part of history and let people, ALL people, decide for themselves. Gone With the Wind IS racist and is widely released and respected. James Baskett is being done a disservice by having his best work suppressed!
I’m done ranting now. Thanks for listening!
Well said.
I am old enough to have seen SotS at the drive-in when I was a little girl. I loved the movie then and still do love the message it sends. I agree with Lee’s opinion especially her comparison between SotS & GWtW.
I love Splash Mountain! I saw Song of the South several years ago and loved it. I did not think it was racist, although like Lee said, being caucasian I don’t think I can fully speak on that subject. I personally did not think they portrayed African Americans in a bad light. I do hope that at some point Disney will decide to release Song of the South in the US.
I looove Song of the South and I love Splash Mountain! I do not think the movie is racist at all. It shows a period of history with a light air about it. Is it realistic? No! It’s not supposed to be! Is it a sweet, entertaining story? Yes, it is! We have used this movie to help educated our elementary aged kids about that rather ugly period of American history–not using the movie as a true documentary, but giving the kids an introduction to that time. It opened a lot of discussion about how different life is now than it was then.
I have not seen it, but I will have to see if I can find it now. Thank you!
I love Splash mountain but have never seen the movie! need to see it
I’ve never seen it. I need to see if I can pick up a copy.
I’ve never seen it either, Mike. But, I’d like to. Somehow I’m guessing the controversy is NOTHING compared to some of the crap that goes on nowadays. Anyway, I love that song! :)
Love the song and Splash Mountain. I have seen the movie and I agree with others on here. I figured Disney would come around with the creation of a new version to avoid the controversy.
I have seen Song of the South and do not think it is racist. It shows what life was like in those times but with an extra dose of respect in my opinion. It is a great movie that teaches excellent values through the stories. It is one of my favorite Disney classics.
This is one of those movies that I WISH Disney would release. I’ve written them twice asking if they will. Their answer was some garbage about those being different times and that this movie would not be released. Too bad, it’s actually a nice little movie. I think those yelling loudest about its being racist have never actually seen the movie. You can buy a copy of it on E-Bay, but only a European version VHS that doesn’t work on US players. Youtube used to have versions of it, but now you just get a message stating, “This video is not available in your country.” This movie’s star was a great African-American actor; he’s the good guy. There’s no gun violence, foul language, or any of the other junk prevalent in movies today. Uncle Remus is the hero, a real upstanding man. His tales teach some very good life lessons. I really don’t understand why certain people are so dead-set against this movie seeing the light of day. Gone With the Wind, as Lee states below, is FAR more racist than this movie could, by any means, be considered on any reasonable level, yet it’s considered a great classic while Song of the South is banned and shelved. I’d much rather children watch this Disney classic with its wonderful music and life lessons than the trash being peddled by Hollywood today.
I remember watching this when I was younger on our BETA machine. I wish we still had it! The debate it being pulled is a little frustrated, as at the time, it was completely appropriate. Times change and we progress but we can’t erase history. Just a thought.
Personally, I’ve never seen Song of the South, but my mom has told me about it & she’d love to get her hands on a copy of it (although I don’t think that would be possible from what I’ve heard). I love Splash Mountain & its theming around the Uncle Remus characters of Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear & Brer Fox – and, of course, the song Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.
I’ve seen it and loved it. What people who think it’s racist don’t understand is you have to put yourself in that time era. I’m only 30 so obviously this movie came out way before I was born. I’m no history buff but I know times are different throughout history so I have to look at it differently. I am hispanic and we have been through many things as blacks, Asians, Jews, etc. have gone through too. I don’t believe in a lot of things that have happened in the past but we have prevailed in some extent but there will always be those problems. I have shown my daughter this movie as well and she loved it. I had to explain the time of this film but we both love it and it really should be brought back out even if it’s just on DVD. Thank you for your honest opinion, hope you get to one day see it :)