{"id":4075,"date":"2007-09-05T15:00:57","date_gmt":"2007-09-05T22:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4075"},"modified":"2021-01-30T00:02:23","modified_gmt":"2021-01-30T07:02:23","slug":"song-of-the-south-1946","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4075","title":{"rendered":"Song of the South (1946)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Just because these here tales is about critters like Br&#8217;er Rabbit an&#8217; Br&#8217;er Fox, that don&#8217;t mean it can&#8217;t happen to folks!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Poster-194x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-23150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Poster-194x300.jpg 194w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Poster-82x128.jpg 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Poster.jpg 489w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhile staying on his grandmother&#8217;s plantation, a lonely boy named Johnny (Bobby Driscoll) befriends an older slave named Uncle Remus (James Baskett), who tells him tall tales about Br&#8217;er Rabbit, Br&#8217;er Fox, and Br&#8217;er Bear. Meanwhile, Johnny meets a poor white girl (Luana Patten), who &#8212; against her bullying brothers&#8217; wishes &#8212; gives him a puppy. Trouble arises when Johnny&#8217;s mother (Ruth Warrick) refuses to allow him to keep the puppy, and &#8212; thinking Remus&#8217;s stories are giving Johnny fanciful notions &#8212; asks them not to spend time together.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>African-Americans<\/li>\n<li>Animated Features<\/li>\n<li>Deep South<\/li>\n<li>Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, and Mythology<\/li>\n<li>Friendship<\/li>\n<li>Musicals<\/li>\n<li>Plantations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDisney&#8217;s <em>Song of the South<\/em> remains one of the most controversial films ever made, due to its depiction of slaves on a southern plantation as seemingly happy and content.  In truth, however, it&#8217;s one of the milder <a href=\"http:\/\/cghs.dadeschools.net\/african-american\/twentieth_century\/cinema.htm\">portrayals of African-Americans<\/a> to come out of early Hollywood, and is certainly less offensive than, for instance, the slaves in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=41976\"><em>Gone With the Wind<\/em> (1939)<\/a>, who are portrayed as either comic, ignorant, bossy, servile, lying, and\/or lazy. While Uncle Remus is (on the surface) subservient to his mistress, he&#8217;s ultimately shown to be a savvy, independent man with an enormous heart. Most impressive of all, however, is <em>Song of the South&#8217;s<\/em> depiction of interracial friendship as both acceptable and normal; Warrick&#8217;s complaints about who Johnny spends his time with have more to do with class than race &#8212; and the only reason she doesn&#8217;t want him listening to Uncle Remus&#8217;s stories is because she believes they&#8217;re giving him &#8220;fanciful notions&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>Critical opinion on <em>Song of the South<\/em> these days remains divisive, with Disney purportedly holding back on a DVD release for years due to fear of p.c. repercussions. It&#8217;s my belief, however, that parents ought to be allowed to make up their own minds about how (or whether) to show this film to their children: with an age-appropriate disclaimer about the film&#8217;s depiction of slaves (which, by the way, would be an excellent starting point for broader discussions on the topic, as well as a critical analysis of the Br&#8217;er Rabbit tales), kids will likely enjoy the film, and relate to Johnny&#8217;s travails.  As a narrative, <em>Song of the South<\/em>is ultimately too schmaltzy for its own good, but does feature some enjoyable animated sequences (which no Disney fan will want to miss), and a truly noteworthy performance by Baskett as Uncle Remus. It&#8217;s devastating to know that Baskett &#8212; despite winning an &#8220;honorary&#8221; Oscar &#8212; couldn&#8217;t attend the film&#8217;s premiere in Atlanta because no hotel would rent him a room; it appears that adults of the day were unable to take the film&#8217;s lessons about racial tolerance to heart. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Believe it or not, <a href=\"http:\/\/songofthesouth.net\/\">an entire website<\/a> is devoted to news about the film. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>James Baskett as Uncle Remus<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett-1024x762.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"476\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett-1024x762.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett-363x270.png 363w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Baskett.png 1381w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Bobby Driscoll as Johnny<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll-1024x759.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"474\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll-1024x759.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll-364x270.png 364w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Driscoll.png 1375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Several amusing tales about crafty Br&#8217;er Rabbit<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer-1024x762.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"476\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer-1024x762.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer-363x270.png 363w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Brer.png 1367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Nifty integration of live action and animation<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation-1024x747.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"467\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation-1024x747.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation-768x560.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation-370x270.png 370w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Animation.png 1379w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Uncle Remus singing &#8220;Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah&#8221;<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee-1024x794.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"496\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee-1024x794.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee-300x233.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee-128x99.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee-768x595.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee-348x270.png 348w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Zippadee.png 1369w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A refreshing tale of friendship transcending race, gender, class, and age<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship-1024x756.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"473\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-67021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship-1024x756.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship-768x567.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Song-of-the-South-Friendship.png 1374w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Controversial Film<\/li>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<li>Oscar Winner or Nominee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0038969\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1946\/11\/28\/archives\/the-screen-song-of-the-south-disney-film-combining-cartoons-and.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/fantasy\/song-of-the-south-1946.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/song-of-the-south\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Just because these here tales is about critters like Br&#8217;er Rabbit an&#8217; Br&#8217;er Fox, that don&#8217;t mean it can&#8217;t happen to folks!&#8221; Synopsis: While staying on his grandmother&#8217;s plantation, a lonely boy named Johnny (Bobby Driscoll) befriends an older slave named Uncle Remus (James Baskett), who tells him tall tales about Br&#8217;er Rabbit, Br&#8217;er Fox, and Br&#8217;er Bear. Meanwhile, Johnny meets a poor white girl (Luana Patten), who &#8212; against her bullying brothers&#8217; wishes &#8212; gives him a puppy. Trouble&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4075\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4075"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67027,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4075\/revisions\/67027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}