Song of the South and Mary Poppins: Similarities

[Big Disney Fan]

I know what you're thinking: "Song of the South" and "Mary Poppins" both are different movies completely. To an extent, you're right.

However, consider how the movies are alike. First of all, obviously, both movies feature scenes with both live-action and animation mingling simultaneously. Then there are the dialects spoken by some of the characters. Both movies have those. And there are the songs, too. Both movies feature songs with nonsensical words for titles (i.e., Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious). And they also feature songs on laughing (i.e., Everybody's Got a Laughing Place, I Love To Laugh). And some of the live-action characters have personalities the likes of which other characters in the movies don't think should be messing with their children. Both movies are musicals. And of course, they both received Academy Awards, mainly for the songs. And also, from a dyslexic standpoint, they were both released in years that had the numbers 1, 9, 4 and 6 in them.

So when it comes right down to it, both "Song of the South" and "Mary Poppins" have many similarities between them. What do you think of this?

[merlinjones]

I wrote an article for SaveDisney.com a few years back, "The Spirit of Youth," which focuses on a running theme in Walt's work: the rediscovery of the inner child by lost adults ("Peter Pan" "Song of the South" "Pollyanna" "Thomasina" "Mary Poppins") - - the article is archived at:

http://www.songofthesouth.net/news/arch ... youth.html

Given your post, you might find it interesting.

[David S.]

Merlin,

I think I mentioned this once before on another board, but I absolutely LOVE that article! Thanks for sharing it again. The "Spirit of Youth" theme that you discuss is one of my favorite recurring themes in Walt's work, and it's the one that resonates with me the most deeply.

Your article really sums up why I love Disney so much (Walt's Disney, and those today who share his vision). Thomasina is probably my favorite all live-action Disney film, and the other films you mentioned are all favorites as well, that touch me very deeply.

As far as the topic title, sadly one thing Song of the South does not have in common with Mary Poppins is that it lacks a DVD release!

[Big Disney Fan]

As far as the topic title, sadly one thing Song of the South does not have in common with Mary Poppins is that it lacks a DVD release!

That I have to agree with!

[jediliz]

this is a silly one:

A bluebird is outside the window when Mary Poppins sings, and I am so sure (its been at least 20 years since I saw SOTS) that there's a mention of a bluebird in one of the SOTS songs.

[Goliath]

this is a silly one:

A bluebird is outside the window when Mary Poppins sings, and I am so sure (its been at least 20 years since I saw SOTS) that there's a mention of a bluebird in one of the SOTS songs.

You're right: "Mr. Bluebird's on my shoulder... It is the rtruth, it's actual... Everything is satifactional!"

See for yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3fFXIUXZ-M

The whole film is online entirely on YouTube. But one big difference between the two movies: Mary Poppins is funny, has an engaging storyline, loveable characters and great songs.... and SotS hasn't.

[blackcauldron85]

A bluebird is outside the window when Mary Poppins sings

Isn't that a robin?

[SpringHeelJack]

Also, both are movies that feature actors.

[Super Aurora]

Also, both are movies that feature actors.

And both are movies.

[SpringHeelJack]

OHSHI

I think we've just begun cracking the Disney Code!

[Chernabog_Rocks]

A bluebird is outside the window when Mary Poppins sings

Isn't that a robin?

I believe your correct Ames

Did anyone *who posted similarities* ever stop to think that that's all they are? There's no big scheme or hidden meaning, inside joke, reference etc. If you look hard enough at movies you're bound to see similar things pop up. It's mainly coincidence

both movies feature scenes with both live-action and animation mingling simultaneously.

While your at it why not state they're both similar to Pete's Dragon? Or Who Framed Roger Rabbit. These types of movies belong to a genre, the name escapes me at the moment of what the genre is called, I keep thinking of the word "hybrid" for some reason though. But both are musicals, well Mary Poppins more than SotS but that's a different matter.