If I'm not mistaken, "Song of the South" takes place in post-slavery
America. While it would still be controversial, I think Disney could
re-release it in one of those limited-edition DVD tins with a forward by
Leonard Maltin, reminding us that the film was made 60 years ago. I think it
would be wrong to leave that film sitting in the vaults forever.
As for the question on whether Charlie Chan is offensive to Asians, I'm
afraid I haven't seen those films. I have, however, seen Karloff's Mr. Wong
films, and those don't offend me at all.
-rk
> From: David Kusumoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: David Kusumoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2006 02:55:18 -0700
> To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
> Subject: [MOPO] Song of the South
>
> ** One last thing -- I believe Walt Disney's "Song of the South," a late
> 1940s "fanciful distillation of live-action and animation based on the tales
> of Uncle Remus" -- will NEVER be released in mass market form. The film
> that brought us the song, "Zip-De-Dee-Do-Dah" -- was last available on VHS
> overseas in the 1990s. No more. Ask yourself whether today's black
> community would accept the notion -- as presented as filmed entertainment --
> that slavery was all fun and games and some plantations had a wise old slave
> somwhere imparting wisdom to kids. Despite the positive wisdom and goodness
> represented by "Uncle Remus," some believe it's better to regard "Song of
> the South" as an historical document of attitudes, and not entertainment to
> be sold for profit today.
>
> ** I'd like to see it released and I can safely say I would regard it
> entertaining without falling for the things others would perhaps rightly
> find offensive about it today. Even in "Gone With the Wind," people still
> rail about its depiction of slaves, and of course, Butterfly McQueen was
> quoted as hating the role. I think intelligent people can accept the film
> on its terms based on the attitudes of America or Hollywood in 1939. You
> just couldn't make a film like this or release "Song of the South" today
> without pissing somebody off.
>
> -koose.
>
> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
> ___________________________________________________________________
> How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
>
> Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
>
> The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
