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Song of the South: Uncle Remus
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Song of the South was the first live action dramatic film made by Disney.[6] James Baskett got the job of portraying Uncle Remus after answering an ad to provide the voice of a talking butterfly. "I thought that, maybe, they'd try me out to furnish the voice for one of Uncle Remus' animals," Baskett is quoted as saying. Upon review of his voice, Disney wanted to meet Baskett personally, and had him tested for the role of Uncle Remus. Not only did Baskett get the part of the butterfly's voice, but ... the voice of Br'er Fox and the live-action role of Uncle Remus as well.[7] Additionally, Baskett filled in as the voice of Br'er Rabbit for Johnny Lee in the "Laughing Place" scene after Lee was called away to do promotion for the picture.[6] Walt Disney liked Baskett, and told his sister, Ruth Disney, that Baskett was "the best, actor, I believe, to be discovered in years." Long after the film's release, Walt stayed in contact with Baskett.[2] Disney also campaigned for Baskett to be given an Academy Award for his performance, saying that he had worked "almost wholly without direction" and had devised the characterization of Remus himself. Thanks to Disney's efforts, Baskett won an honorary Oscar in 1948.[5][2] After Baskett's death, his widow wrote Disney and told him that he had been a "friend indeed and [we] certainly have been in need."[2]
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Song of the South is a 1946 feature film by Walt Disney, based on the Uncle Remus cycle of stories by Joel Chandler Harris. It was one of Disney's earliest feature films to combine live action footage with animation and was the first Disney feature film to hire live actors in lead roles. The live actors provide a sentimental frame-story, in which Uncle Remus relates the folk tales of the adventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends; these anthropomorphic animal characters appear in animation.
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Song of the South has never been officially released on home video in North America. The movie first hit theatres in 1946, and was based on some of Walt Disney's favourite folktales. It was ... the first Disney movie to use live actors. It won two Academy awards: one for the song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and another honorary Oscar for actor James Baskett, who portrayed the kindly Uncle Remus.
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For many years one of the most popular Disney films, Song of the South has been criticized for soft-pedaling race relations during the South's Reconstruction era. Many of the African-American characters, especially Uncle Remus, are considered too Uncle Tom-ish, and there's no denying that the film does not address the real concerns of the black characters, other than as how they relate to the white characters. However, if one can get past this considerable stumbling block, there is a great deal to admire in Song. The story is melodramatic but engrossing, filled with an appealing innocence which may be too fanciful to be true, but is irresistible nonetheless. The score is a delight, and includes the classic "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," as well as the infectious "Laughing Place" and the sinuous "Sooner or Later." What makes the film... are the fabulous animated sequences (as well as the artful blending of live action and animation). The cartoon characters have a life and vitality that is palpable; they truly light up the screen.
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Song of the South is was a 1946 live-action/animated film based on the Uncle Remus stories written by Joel Chandler Harris, which were based on African-American folk tales. The film have not been released on VHS or DVD, because of accusations of racism, but the film maintains a strong following with many Disney fans. It features the song, Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, which won the Acadamy Award for Best Song and is still a popular favorite. The film's animated segements inspired the popular Splash Mountain ride and the three main animated characters, Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, and Brer Fox are still frequantly seen at the Disney Parks.
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The art of animation and live action are brilliantly blended to create Song of the South. This colorful classic is set in postbellum rural Georgia and features the timeless tales of Uncle Remus about the witty Brer Rabbit, the wily Brer Fox, and his bumbling sidekick, Brer Bear. Starring Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patton, and James Baskett as Uncle Remus. This DVD package ... includes three interviews with the cast, slideshows, and a bonus Tales of Uncle Remus audio CD. Originally released in 1946; color; 91 minutes. (Crown Rights Media) - DVD (w/ audio CD)
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Uncle Remus