Live Action Discussions: So Dear to My Heart

[ichabod]

<center>

So Dear to my Heart (1949)



Originally released - 19 January 1949
Directors <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0776838/">Harold Schuster</a> (live action)
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0527217/">Hamilton Luske</a> (animation)

Main Cast
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0237985/">Bobby Driscoll</a> - Jeremiah Kincaid
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0412322/">Burl Ives</a> - Uncle Hiram Douglas
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0094135/"Beulah Bondi</a> - Grandma Kincaid
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0666087/">Luana Patten</a> - Tildy
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002503/">Harry Carey</a> - Head Judge at County Fair
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0141272/">Ken Carson</a> - Wise Old Owl (voice)

Songs
So Dear to my Heart
It's Whatcha Do With Whatcha Got
Billy Boy
Stick-to-it-ivity
Jerry Kincaid Swallowed a Bee
The County Fair
Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)

Academy Awards Nominations
Best Music, Original Song - Elliott Daniel (music), Larry Morey (lyrics)
(For the song "Lavender Blue")

Based on the novel "Midnight and Jeremiah" by Sterling North</center>

One of Walt Disney`s most beloved film Classics, So Dear To My Heart brilliantly blends live action and animation to tell a heartwarming story the whole family will cherish year after year! The fun begins when Danny, a rejected and mischievous black lamb, is adopted by a determined young boy named Jeremiah. While drawing a picture of Danny in his scrapbook, Jeremiah daydreams of winning first prize in a local contest. Then, from his drawings, Danny and other animal pictures magically come to life and convince Jeremiah to enter real life Danny, a pet without pedigree - into a competition! But Jeremiah must first learn the importance of dedication, love and responsibility before his dreams can come true!
-------------------------------------
I absolutely LOVE this film. So simple, so sweet, so charming. It's a real winner of a film. The simple, but wonderful story told in live action interspersed with animation just makes me want to rewatch it almost instantly after I've finished viewing it.

The sets and locations of the film are stunning, giving a real feel of what small time farm life would have been like at the time, and the inspiration from Mary Blair can be felt in the film. Depending on whose opinion you a listening to this, along with "Bambi" is reportedly Walt's personal favorite film, probably because this film portrays the same lifestyle he would have grown up in, probably why the story was chosen. It has an idealised, reminiscent view of americana, without being overly-schmaltzy like some of the other turn of the century americana films the studio also made had the tendency to be.

Unfortunately and VERY wrongly in my opinion, "So Dear to My Heart" often gets lumped together with "Song of the South". Naturally since the films were pretty much shot back to back, have the same to child actors Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten looking the same as their previous roles playing the main child leads, coupled with the fact they have an older, somewhat cheeky rule breaker mentor in Uncle Hiram who sings little ditties, somewhat reflecting Uncle Remus and throw in the fact that the film is interspersed with moments of animation, it's easy to see the two are lumped together by some. Similarly some view "So Dear to My Heart" almost as a sequel to "Song of the South" which again couldn't be more wrong.

Generally speaking "So Dear to my Heart" is seen as the inferior of the 2 films, however I think the story, acting and characters far outdo "Song of the South" and I personally believe SDtmH is the stronger of the two films.

Anyway your thoughts?
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[blackcauldron85]

"So Dear To My Heart" is a great movie! The story is great...it is simple, but it's nice...I love the setting, and the animated parts. I love Danny the lamb- he's so cute, both in live action and animated forms! I want a Danny plush, personally!

[Wonderlicious]

I only saw So Dear to My Heart once...whilst I could tell it was aimed mainly at another generation in another country, it was entertaining enough. I have to say that the animation, whilst not really standing in my mind that much, was good and also a key to it carrying a true "Disney Classic" status in some ways. I'm not saying that all completely live-action Disney films aren't classics; it's just if this particular film (due to its minimal popularity and lack of remembrance) didn't have animation in it, it wouldn't stand out that much.

I've got to admit that this film was pretty religious. I don't mean to sound like a politically correct dodo, but most Disney films don't have such overt religious references (eg the aunt/grandma/random female guardian actually says that she wants to teach the child to praise the Lord). I wasn't offended, but it shows the film's age, though, as something like that wouldn't be included in a film nowadays.

[gardener14]

I'd be willing to say that perhaps no other Disney movie more accurately reflects Walt Disney's nostalgia for his childhood than So Dear to My Heart. It has everything about growing up in rural America (even trains) that Walt apparently loved and remembered fondly, and the entire movie is told from a point of view of fond rememberances of childhood innocence.

It's one of my favorite Disney movies of all time, and I'm so happy to have it on DVD (from Brazil I believe). I wish Disney would put out a North American DVD release so this film could receive wider viewership once again. For the longest time it was available on VHS, and I never thought it would go out of print and disappear like it has.

[MickeyMousePal]

I have seen So Dear to My Heart and it's a wonderful movie.
All I have to say it should be on DVD under Region 1.

[Maerj]

I only saw So Dear to My Heart once...whilst I could tell it was aimed mainly at another generation in another country, it was entertaining enough. I have to say that the animation, whilst not really standing in my mind that much, was good and also a key to it carrying a true "Disney Classic" status in some ways. I'm not saying that all completely live-action Disney films aren't classics; it's just if this particular film (due to its minimal popularity and lack of remembrance) didn't have animation in it, it wouldn't stand out that much.

I've got to admit that this film was pretty religious. I don't mean to sound like a politically correct dodo, but most Disney films don't have such overt religious references (eg the aunt/grandma/random female guardian actually says that she wants to teach the child to praise the Lord). I wasn't offended, but it shows the film's age, though, as something like that wouldn't be included in a film nowadays.

I thought the very same thing when I first watched it as well. You wouldn't see that sort of thing in a mainstream movie nowadays, especially a Disney movie. I wasn't offended by it at all either as I understand that at that time people most likely did feel and behave that way, but I'm sure it would ruffle someone's feathers nowadays. The blending of live action and animation was well done and I think that the story overall was better realized here than in Song of the South. But I enjoyed the animated parts in SOTS more as they were pretty funny.

With all of that said, I don't see why So Dear to my Heart hasn't been released in Region 1 yet.

[dvdjunkie]

"So Dear To My Heart" is proudly in my Top Five Disney movies of all time. I remember seeing this movie in the theater on its original release and the second time it was re-released. I own a copy of this on LaserDisc from Holland, I believe. I had never thought of it as a 'sequel' to "Song of the South" until it was mentioned above, but now I can see where people might think that.

Why, oh Why doesn't Disney release this to Region 1. I think that it would be one of their bigger selling movies, along with a Region 1 issue of SotS.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I have the VHS of this. I really haven't watched it in awhile, but I can remember all of it's charm and magic. I really should rewatch it, but I havve summer reading and we're going on vacation soon, so......

Anyway, it's a really great film, and I'm glad I have it in my collection.

[carlossilva]

gardener14 has already hinted at it here, and I think I've seen it written on other threads, but anyway, a tip for friends in America: the Brazilian release of "So Dear To My Heart" ( which receives the name "Meu Querido Carneirinho" in Portuguese ) is actually a Region 1+ 4 DVD (at least my copy is ).

It has the English audio track and all subtitles it has are removable. So, if you really want to have this movie on Region 1 DVD, this edition may be a viable option. You can find it on Brazilian on-line stores ( I personally got mine from dvdworld.com.br ).

Cheers

Carlos

[goofystitch]

This is the only Disney film I've ever imported on DVD. I love the nostalgic Americana view in the film. Also "Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)" is one of my favorite Disney songs. In my opinion, this is the most charming live action Disney film. I have to say that I prefer this to "Song of the South." My mom bought the VHS for me when I was younger and it bored me as a kid, but I began to love it when I turned 12.

[ichabod]

Well I can't speak for the Brazilian release, but the UK DVD seems to show a very nicely restored picture and the bonus features may not be great in number but are absolutely stunning in terms of quality. If only all of Disney's live action DVDs had so many deleted scenes and alternate angle shots with audio commentaries.

[PapiBear]

I've got to admit that this film was pretty religious. I don't mean to sound like a politically correct dodo, but most Disney films don't have such overt religious references (eg the aunt/grandma/random female guardian actually says that she wants to teach the child to praise the Lord). I wasn't offended, but it shows the film's age, though, as something like that wouldn't be included in a film nowadays.

I don't know about that. There are films today that have religious content that isn't irreverent or controversial. Diary of A Mad Black Woman, for example, contained several scenes where Christian faith was either discussed or revealed in some manner, including 2 or 3 scenes in church. The Gospel was clearly about a son inheriting his father's church, and the struggles he faced in doing that.

A modern Disney film might not portray a character as being a person of faith, but that's because Disney, the corporation that's all about money, tries to be all things to all people (and reap the financial rewards for doing so), rather than having core values that are known to be associated with a particular faith.

"So Dear To My Heart" is proudly in my Top Five Disney movies of all time. I remember seeing this movie in the theater on its original release

Wow, you saw it way back in 1949?

[SpellWovenNight]

I haven't seen So Dear to my Heart but when goofystitch mention "Lavender Blue" I pulled out my Disney Song book and it has the song, where the movies from and a picture of a kid and a guy, both in overalls and straw hats and playing guitares. Now this matches your guys description. I also have, somewhere, a book of Fables from Disney (fables from different Disney movies) and I remember there was a black four legged animal in it. It could've been anything from a small donkey to a sheep, maybe, though I doubt it, a dog. I'm pretty sure the story had something to do with Bibical references. That also seems to relate, sorta into all your descriptions. I was wondering if that second part with the animal might be the same thing and what "Lavender Blue"'s significance is to the film.

[ichabod]

I've got to admit that this film was pretty religious. I don't mean to sound like a politically correct dodo, but most Disney films don't have such overt religious references (eg the aunt/grandma/random female guardian actually says that she wants to teach the child to praise the Lord). I wasn't offended, but it shows the film's age, though, as something like that wouldn't be included in a film nowadays.

Well to me, I see it as simply set in a time and place when the faith would have been more closely followed. I never saw it as a religous film, just a film with religion in it. I never feel as though the religious references are ever trying to convert anyone, it's just the characteristics of the characters.

Another thing I intially meant to mention. It seems very strange to me that Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly) is such a well known song and yet hardly anyone knows it comes from this film. In fact I remember having quite a heated discussion about where the song came from and only when I showed them the DVD did they shut up and believed it was a Disney song.

[Mouseketodd]

I agree with an earlier comment, this movie is not about religion, it has characters who simply use religious references: Granny and the owl.

I'm 39 years old, and I didn't see this film until 2-3 years ago.

I remember it being shown on the Disney Channel a long time ago, but I was a teenager with a job, so I would catch glimpses of it in passing.

My mom really like this movie, and would express in recent years how much she wanted to have it. Her enthusiasm impressed me so, that I checked it out from a video store and, yes, I liked it, too.

I've since purchased a used VHS edition from half.com (I think.), and it is somewhere in my top 5 Disney live-action favorites. It nearly squeezes Pollyanna out of her first place spot!

This is available in the UK, and for the life of me -- if it's been remastered, and already has bonus features gathered, and IN ENGLISH -- I can't understand why Disney won't release it in the United States.

At Disney MGM Studios, in the "One Man's Dream" exhibit on Walt's life, there is a model of movie set version of Granny's cabin. Walt built it, and it has miniature stage lighting and some miniature props.

[slave2moonlight]

Ah, I've been gone for a while, so I haven't posted in these discussions lately.

I've loved this film since I was a kid from watching it on the Disney Channel and bought the VHS when it came out. I'd dare to call it one of the best films ever! Definitely one of Disney's best. The cast is superb and the music and animation are wonderful. The story is simple and beautiful. I love the part where Jeremiah comes into town with all that honey! Booby Driscoll and Luana Patten were wonderful finds for Disney! I had a crush on Luana when I was a kid, particularly from her work in Johnny Tremain, ha.

[musicradio77]

"So Dear to My Heart" was a great film, much better than "Song of the South" because of all the controversy that has taken place. Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten, the same actors from "Song of the South" appeared together once again co-starring Burl Ives.

The song "Lavender Blue" was much better than "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", and the film was not that controversal. It has some animated sequences tied-in with the live action part, much of the same as "Song of the South" did.

I have this movie taped right off of Disney Channel back in around 1999 when it was part of the now-departed "Vault Disney". Good film, but it's not that bad as "Song of the South" was. "So Dear to My Heart" was sorta of a sequel to "Song of the South".

As for the song "Lavender Blue", it was remade by a few artists such as Dinah Shore, Sammy Turner and many others.

[zackisthewalrus]

I can't really give a great opinion because I haven't watch it in about 4 years. I do remember liking it though. I was visiting my grandma who has a VHS copy. I wanted to watch it because I was obsessed with our (bootleg) copy of SOTS at the time. I got the DVD from DMR as soon as it popped up, but I have yet to watch it.

[a-net-fan]

Thank you so much for resurfacing this topic! IT has reminded me how much I want to watch this movie again. I have it and its time to re watch. I do remember finding this movie VERY HEARTWARMING!! I love the lady who plays the grandmother and just the overall feel of this movie! They certainly dont make movies that make you feel like this anymore! I read above that someone thought the religious thread that flows thru this film is "controversial". I dont understand what you mean by that. This film refects a time long gone when Family Work and God made up your life. Its completely appropriate and really, films and TV shows and movies that take place in this time even today often touch on faith and religion.

Anyway EXCELLEN MOVIE and im gonna try to watch it again ASAP. If you havent seen it before WATCH IT....I remember how shocked I was at how much I enjoyed it after watching it for the first time. I feel it is easily superior to SOTS. SOTS is just more popular because the company refuses to release it.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Bought a used VHS copy of the film early last year and enjoyed watching it. Thanks to this film, I get a joke in the lyrics to "Ya Got Trouble" from The Music Man. Dan Patch was a race horse after all.

I love Old Time-E nostalgic stuff like this, but I still like Summer Magic better.