You can't open your mouth without a song jumpin' right out

[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, 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!

Comments

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

I've got a Japanese DVD of it. The animation is beautiful.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[titoagogo.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCnFRpt31h4

[titoagogo.livejournal.com]

have you seen Coonskin? that's my favorite version of Song of the South.

[goodolmike.livejournal.com]

What's that?

[titoagogo.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonskin_(film)
I dig it.

[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

My Laughin' Place

[bearpawly.livejournal.com]

SHHHhhhhh!

I have a surreptitiously acquired DVD...

[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?

[sluggobear.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed viewing it!

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

We have it too ... thank you, Japan!

[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.