Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah........Song of the South on DVD?

I'm not sure if the class is aware of this, but the good folks at Disney placed a self-imposed ban on releasing the Song of the South (in theaters and DVD) for many years because of questionable racial overtones contained in the film. I remember my mother taking me to see this film as a child simply because it was one of a number of Disney classics that were released annually. At some point during the mid 80s, after receiving complaints from civil rights organizations, Disney took South off its theatrical release roster. Perhaps for the time period, it was understandble for the movie to be banned.

Since I liken myself to being a cineaste, I have seen several bootleg transfers of this film and it is hard to watch-it does show slavery as somekind of happy and superfluous period in Black history. But films like Song of the South (or even the Amos and Andy series) should be released as educational devices for our youth. It is crucial that children (and adults) understand how the Black image was portrayed during that era. Hopefully, enough time has passed and cooler heads have prevailed. Things may be looking in a positive direction as it appears that during a recent stockholders meeting, Disney CEO Robert Iger intimated that South may be released on DVD in the near future. Song of the South can be no worse than I Love New York or the Flavor of Love-at least we had Jim Crow as an excuse. For more on Song of the South, check below.

SongoftheSouth.net

Wiki on Song of the South