Song of the South (1946)
If you’re able to watch Song of the South as a cute, family Disney movie, you’re in for a real treat. If all you’re going to focus on are the racial criticisms that developed through the years, that’s fine, but don’t bother watching it. Pick something else you’ll enjoy more and let the rest of us find comfort in the Splash Mountain ride – I mean, in Song of the South.
Young Bobby Driscoll, the first actor to sign a contract with Walt Disney Pictures, stars as an adorable little boy who moves in with his grandmother, Lucile Watson, when his parents separate. It’s a new world for him, but he quickly makes friends with James Baskett, (playing the famed Uncle Remus of the storybooks). Whenever Bobby is upset about his family or the neighbor kids picking on him, Uncle Remus tells him a story (cue the animation). You can interpret this as a Magical Negro stereotype, or you can just watch a nice man help a kid dry his tears. You can also interpret Hattie McDaniel and the chorus of singing, smiling plantation workers as racial injustice to promote the myth that they were happy to be slaves. Or, you can realize this is a Disney movie aimed for children, and that anyone in a musical is going to smile while they’re singing.
Personally, I find this movie sweet and charming. Who doesn’t love hearing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” and singing along? Who doesn’t associate the peppy music of “How Do You Do?” with standing in line for Splash Mountain? And for those who hold a grudge against Walt Disney for his so-called racism, you should know he lobbied heavily for James Baskett to be nominated for an Academy Award. Baskett received an Honorary Oscar instead, making him technically the first African-American man to receive a statuette (as well as the first actor to win an Oscar for a Disney movie). Upon his death, his widow thanked Walt Disney for his kindness, stating he was a “friend indeed and [we] certainly have been in need.”
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Bruce Will" for posting!
More Hattie McDaniel movies here!
Young Bobby Driscoll, the first actor to sign a contract with Walt Disney Pictures, stars as an adorable little boy who moves in with his grandmother, Lucile Watson, when his parents separate. It’s a new world for him, but he quickly makes friends with James Baskett, (playing the famed Uncle Remus of the storybooks). Whenever Bobby is upset about his family or the neighbor kids picking on him, Uncle Remus tells him a story (cue the animation). You can interpret this as a Magical Negro stereotype, or you can just watch a nice man help a kid dry his tears. You can also interpret Hattie McDaniel and the chorus of singing, smiling plantation workers as racial injustice to promote the myth that they were happy to be slaves. Or, you can realize this is a Disney movie aimed for children, and that anyone in a musical is going to smile while they’re singing.
Personally, I find this movie sweet and charming. Who doesn’t love hearing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” and singing along? Who doesn’t associate the peppy music of “How Do You Do?” with standing in line for Splash Mountain? And for those who hold a grudge against Walt Disney for his so-called racism, you should know he lobbied heavily for James Baskett to be nominated for an Academy Award. Baskett received an Honorary Oscar instead, making him technically the first African-American man to receive a statuette (as well as the first actor to win an Oscar for a Disney movie). Upon his death, his widow thanked Walt Disney for his kindness, stating he was a “friend indeed and [we] certainly have been in need.”
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Bruce Will" for posting!
More Hattie McDaniel movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Original Song of 1947: "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor: James Baskett
Best Original Song of 1947: "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor: James Baskett