Song of the South: Too Offensive to Release on DVD?

[ajmrowland]

No one do have Iger is email.

Anyway, he fails at one thing: an introduction. How come it's always the simple solutions that elude people?

I guess we all overthink things.

[jpanimation]

2010 Shareholder Meeting Update #17 - Q&A, Song of the South
http://www.laughingplace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=73693

"In other words, there are elements in that film that I think would be considred faily offensive to partso of our population resulting in value lost in the company's reputation so not currently considering release of the film."

Please tell me he's talking about DTV sequels and not Song of the South.

Anyways, I heard that an extra on the Pete's Dragon DVD had clips from Song of the South and the the PQ seemed to be restored. Can anyone confirm this?

[Giygas]

I didn't understand a word he said. Does anybody here know 'shareholder', and if so, could you translate it for me?

[kbehm29]

2010 Shareholder "In other words, there are elements in that film that I think would be considred faily offensive to parts of our population resulting in value lost in the company's reputation so not currently considering release of the film."

I work in HR, and that's obviously a canned answer that someone prepped him with. We do it all the time.

It's a darn shame that they won't be more open-minded and willing to accept a few blurbs in the news of backlash, if that would even happen. They're acting like their company will come crumbling down if they release this movie.

[Heil Donald Duck]

2010 Shareholder "In other words, there are elements in that film that I think would be considred faily offensive to parts of our population resulting in value lost in the company's reputation so not currently considering release of the film."

I work in HR, and that's obviously a canned answer that someone prepped him with. We do it all the time.

It's a darn shame that they won't be more open-minded and willing to accept a few blurbs in the news of backlash, if that would even happen. They're acting like their company will come crumbling down if they release this movie.

Makes me thinks that Disney wants to have there own Censored 11 in other Word Censored 1.

[blackcauldron85]

Song of the South: A Slightly Different Perspective
http://www.2719hyperion.com/2007/04/son ... +HYPERION)
(via laughingplace.com)

To answer the article's question, for me, I didn't grow up with the movie SOTS, but I did grow up with the music (and the Sing-Along Songs tapes). I first saw it back in either 2003 or 2004 (thanks, bootleg), and while it's not my favorite film by any means, I think that it's a great story, and the animated segments are fun and funny and great. Now I'm really picky about what DVDs I buy, and sold off a lot, but I'd still add SOTS to my collection (legally).

[jpanimation]

To answer the article's question, for me, I didn't grow up with the movie SOTS, but I did grow up with the music (and the Sing-Along Songs tapes). I first saw it back in either 2003 or 2004 (thanks, bootleg), and while it's not my favorite film by any means, I think that it's a great story, and the animated segments are fun and funny and great. Now I'm really picky about what DVDs I buy, and sold off a lot, but I'd still add SOTS to my collection (legally).

Yeah, I agree with you 100%. I grew up with the characters and music from the sing-a-longs and Splash Mountain. I even had an Uncle Remus book, with all the stories having illustrations with the Disney film characters. So for me, when I finally saw the movie, I was disappointed. The live action stuff is decent at best but the animated segments are classic.

[ajmrowland]

I dont really know where to post this, so ill post it here.


Where exactly did the "Disney Hates Jews" thing come from? Im saying this, because there has been at least 2 generations of Disney animators who's last name were Hibler, and somebody could've heard it and twisted it into making it sound like Disney was pro-Hitler/anti-jew.

[BelleGirl]

I dont really know where to post this, so ill post it here.


Where exactly did the "Disney Hates Jews" thing come from? Im saying this, because there has been at least 2 generations of Disney animators who's last name were Hibler, and somebody could've heard it and twisted it into making it sound like Disney was pro-Hitler/anti-jew.

From Marc Eliot's "Hollywood's dark prince" I presume?

[ajmrowland]

No. I am not in any way going near that book. I picked up the name in the PatF commentary, and confirmed the "b" sound with the subtitles.

[BelleGirl]

No. I am not in any way going near that book. I picked up the name in the PatF commentary, and confirmed the "b" sound with the subtitles.

I'm not getting near that book either, but it seems a likely source for rumors about Walt as anti-semite.

[ajmrowland]

Well, true. My point being that the name of said employee would have given people ideas. I dont even need to bring up the Osama/Obama rumor.

[blackcauldron85]

Song of the South available to Keychest subscribers?
http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... parks.aspx

[jpanimation]

That's one way of getting it out there. I've actually heard they've had a restoration on this movie done for a while now but Iger keeps holding it back from release, which is a shame. If releasing it through Keychest (to restrict access and force people to watch an intro putting things into historical perspective) is the compromise, then I'm all for it (hopefully this Keychest digital cloud can stream HD). More then anyone, I'd love to see an intro with Floyd Norman.

I also think they could still sell Song of the South and the uncut Fantasia (their more controversial content) as Blu-rays/DVDs, just keep them out of the mainstream retail outlets like Walmart and Target (where any schmuck unaware of historical context is likely to pick it up), and sell them exclusively online and at high class retail outlets where their target audience (film buffs) are likely to shop.

[merlinjones]

Why not just put out a Region-Free International Edition of "Song of the South" on DVD/Blu-Ray (with English tracks)? -- Then Bob can profess that it was never released here in the USA or Canada -- but it could still be freely imported and sold online making the company lots of money that they now lose to bootleggers or leave on the table.

Or if it needs to be Region 1, how about a Mexico-only edition (with English tracks) -- that can be imported to the US and Canada, just like the current "Dumbo" DVD/Blu-Ray.

[Margos]

I don't mind the documentary. But... doesn't that mean it would only be available on the Internet, or as a download or something? Because I want my legal SotS on a disc, gosh darn it!

[merlinjones]

I would like the movie on a disc (DVD/Blu-Ray) too, not just a download - - that's why a Region-free foreign edition (with English tracks, of course) would benefit everyone involved.

Also included on the disc should be "A Tribute to Joel Chandler Harris" (from the "Disneyland" TV Series, with Walt promoting the 1956 reissue).
Original and reissue trailers.
Animated Nash TV commercials with Br'er Rabbit.
Video press kits from the 1980's reissues with interviews of cast and crew.
Soundtrack LP.
Disneyland/Vista related singles.
Art galleries. Mary Blair art. Storyboards by Bill Peet.
Any original RKO publicity that survives - - Atlanta Premiere footage?
Oscar night highlights?
Splash Mountain feature with Tony.
Splash Mountain music tracks.

[ajmrowland]

Okay, I'll have to cave.

Where's a good place to buy this movie?

[Disneydood]

I'm assuming there's no new updates on the status of this being released on DVD. I think it's a harmless family film, it's sad that the estate of James Baskett misses out on revenue that could be received of this going on sale. Uncle Remus may be somewhat stereotypical, but we're not laughing AT him; the important difference is that he's beloved in a way Mickey or Donald et. all are, even if they may be total stereotypes of mice and ducks lol. I would love to this get this on DVD and listen to his tales of Brer rabbit and co.

[Big Disney Fan]

I think the problem with Disney itself is it's really paranoid about what will happen.