Thanks, Roger. I agree with you about the release of that movie. It's nice
to know how you feel about the Mr. Wong character. If you get a chance to
view the Charlie Chan series (my favorite is Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan)
please let me know what you think!
TGormley
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Kim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Song of the South
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the South" as an historical document of attitudes, and not entertainment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.
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.
