goodolmike: (Default)
[personal profile] goodolmike
Last night, for DVD Economy Night with the guys, we watched Disney's long-forgotten classic The Song of the South.



It was a fascinating viewing. While Song of the South isn't directly racist, it isn't exactly politically correct. It very much reflects a different era in history, in terms of both now-vs-the-19th-century (when the movie takes place) and now-vs-1945 (when the movie was filmed). It currently is not available in any format from Disney.

Fun Facts:

- Hattie McDaniel is in the film, essentially reprising her role as Mammy from Gone With the Wind.

- During the movie, [livejournal.com profile] sluggobear pointed out that the boy who played Johnny, Bobby Driscoll, later went on to provide the voice of Peter Pan in the animated film. Years later, he had such a severe acne problem that he no longer could work in acting again. He later became hooked on drugs and ultimately did prison time and died because of his addiction.

- Song of the South was released in 1946, decades before Mary Poppins, which is known for its innovative mix of live action and animation.

Good times!

Date: 2010-11-18 05:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com
I've got a Japanese DVD of it. The animation is beautiful.

Date: 2010-11-18 05:36 pm (UTC)
ext_646489: (Default)
From: [identity profile] goodolmike.livejournal.com
Yeah, I think the copy we watched was Japanese.
The one we have at home is a VHS tape originally from Japan as well.

Date: 2010-11-18 05:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brunorepublic.livejournal.com
Just read the Wiki on Bobby Driscoll. Sacred feces! Yet another Hollywood-eats-and-spits-out-its-young story. To go from child star to dying alone and unknown. Yikes.

Date: 2010-11-18 05:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] titoagogo.livejournal.com
Song of the South needs a proper DVD release. I'm over transfer from laserdisc bootleg DVD. Dumbo is just as "colorful".


Oh well. We'll always have SPLASH MOUNTAIN!

Date: 2010-11-18 05:40 pm (UTC)
ext_646489: (bad idea bears)
From: [identity profile] goodolmike.livejournal.com
Good point. Now, I totally want to watch Dumbo. I saw that every time I go to D-land, but I never actually do. That and Pinocchio.

Date: 2010-11-18 05:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] titoagogo.livejournal.com
have you seen Coonskin? that's my favorite version of Song of the South.

Date: 2010-11-18 06:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tonethbone.livejournal.com
Yes indeed, Bobby Driscoll had a tragic life...and died in his 20's

He was a Disney studio child favorite: Song of the South, Treasure Island, Peter Pan and So Dear To My Heart..to name a few of his Disney efforts

We have the British format for this movie...and just a week or so ago, Pete was able to download it for free from the Vuze torrent site
Edited Date: 2010-11-18 06:32 pm (UTC)

My Laughin' Place

Date: 2010-11-18 06:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bearpawly.livejournal.com
SHHHhhhhh!

I have a surreptitiously acquired DVD...

Date: 2010-11-18 11:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] andybr.livejournal.com
I have never seen it..but would love to.
Hattie McD was a legend...Mizz Scarlett...where yogoin in the night air wi'out yor shawl?

Date: 2010-11-19 05:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sluggobear.livejournal.com
I enjoyed viewing it!

Date: 2010-11-23 01:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rootbeer1.livejournal.com
We have it too ... thank you, Japan!

Date: 2010-11-23 03:31 am (UTC)
ext_646489: (Default)
From: [identity profile] goodolmike.livejournal.com
How funny. Since that night, so many people have told me they have it. Disney is totally missing out on a cash cow.

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