The Biggest Controversy In Disney History

I'd love to give you my review of Disney's Song of the South DVD, but the fact of the matter is that it has never been released on DVD or even VHS here in the United States. It has been released overseas (primarily in Europe and Japan), but fearing backlash from groups such as the NAACP, Disney has refused to release the film stateside so far.

Why? Because many folks erroneously consider this film racist. The primary character, Uncle Remus (portrayed by James Baskett, the first actor ever hired by Walt Disney), is a black man working on a post-Civil War plantation who befriends young Johnny (Bobby Driscoll). Remus shares the wonderful stories of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear, among others. These stories are actually solid life lessons for the boy and, eventually, Uncle Remus himself.

Many people believe that Remus is a slave when, in actuality, he isn't. Many also believe that Baskett plays the character in a highly stereotypical fashion which makes blacks look dumb or ignorant when, in fact, Remus is the cornerstone of wisdom in the film. He takes on a father-like status with Johnny.

Song of the South was the first live action film produced by Disney. Baskett received an honorary Academy Award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus in 1948. The song, Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah won the Academy Award for best song and the score received a nomination as well.

If you've ever been to Disneyland or Disney World, there's a high probability that you experienced Splash Mountain. If you did, you can thank Song of the South. When I took my daughter on her first trip to Disney World, we rode Splash Mountain together. After the ride, we visited the gift shop conveniently located at the end and I purchased a Brer Rabbit stuffed animal for her. I've tried my best to recall the stories from the film to tell her, but I can't tell them like Uncle Remus.

If you're interested, there's a petition to have Song of the South released on DVD in the United States as well as a ton of information on the film, actors, stories, etc. located at www.songofthesouth.net. I highly recommend you check it out. It's a great source for fans new and old of the film and consistently gives updates on the possibility of an American DVD release of the film.

This is the last film in my initial Disney list. I plan to make more lists in the future. I also plan to have my Cinderella review posted as soon as time will allow.

I hope you've enjoyed my look into the films of Disney, and I'll gladly take suggestions on which films you'd like to see me review on this site. I'm open to anything, so just drop me a line.

Waiting on Cinderella

Okay, so I didn't get to watch Cinderella this weekend like I'd hoped to. With myself being sick as well as one of the little ones, not to mention trying to sell my home and having to go to a birthday party on top of everything else I normally do on the weekends, I just couldn't get around to watching the film and checking out the disk.

Instead, I'm giving you, my faithful readers, a look at my review for Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. While it's one of my earliest and least favorite reviews, it does give the reader a reasonable idea of what is going on in the film. Perhaps I'll rewrite it somewhere in the future. Until then (and until I get a chance to check out Cinderella), this review will have to do. Here goes:

Ahoy, Mateys. Aarghh!!

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a fun romp of a film. It has to be considering it is based on the amusement park ride of the same name. Johnny Depp does a good job as Captain Jack Sparrow. He seems to be about one swig of rum away from oblivion throughout the whole film. Although most folks applaud Depp as the standout performer in this movie, the entire cast is deserving of accolades. Although most of the characters are pretty stock, it's how they are played that makes this film so wonderful. The acting is intentionally over-the-top. Geoffrey Rush plays Barbossa, the greedy, mutiness pirate captain who commandeers the Black Pearl from Depp. Rush brings something to the character that makes him more appealing than say, a Captain Hook. The rest of the pirates are just as greedy and just as mutiness, but their stereotypical behaviors are set off by some brilliant acting. Their are dumb pirates, mean pirates and, of course, one bad monkey.

I won't go into a synopsis of the film. Instead, I want to speak about the overall production and quality of this flick. The special effects are dead on(no pun intended). The way the pirates dance in and out of the moonlight, changing from living beings to rotting corpses, is fun to watch. The battle between the Pearl and the Interceptor is classic, excessive Hollywood fun. Even the sounds of this film are played to perfection. This is one of those movies that makes you wish you had surround sound if you are so not blessed.

So, if you like fun, bold adventure with just a little silliness, Pirates is definitely a fun movie to watch. It'll have you wanting to go eat at Long John Silver's and scream "Aargh" all the way back home. A fun, modern pirate movie in the classic pirate movie vein.

I Think I've Lost My Head!!!

When I hopped over to Amazon.com to look for my review of Cinderella, I was shocked. In 850+ reviews, I have somehow managed to not write a review for this wonderful film. Now, I know that both of my regular readers are just dying to hear my opinion on that classic, but to be fair to it, I've decided to watch the film over the weekend in order to write a brand new honest review of it on both Amazon.com and here on my blog. To keep those appetites satisfied for now, though, I'm going to skip ahead in my Disney list and post my review for the next title, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. I hope you enjoy it:

You Just Might Lose Your Head!!

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is a wonderful collection of two classic tales about two of literature's most unlikeable likeable characters. Clocking in at just over an hour, this film spends the first thirty or so minutes telling us the story of one J. Thaddeus Toad and his "mania" with motorcars that lands him in the big house. His friends Badger, Rat, and Mole join together to try and prove his innocence. In the second half of this film, we see Ichabod Crane trying to make a move on the lovely Katrina Van Tassel. Eventually he has a run-in with a local legend, the Headless Horseman.

The two "heroes" of these tales aren't your typical lead characters. Mr. Toad lives a wild, carefree life in which he spends himself into bankruptcy over "manias" that he pursues. Ichabod Crane is after Katrina not just for her good looks, but for her dad's fat wallet. Somehow these two antiheroes make you pull for them in both of these tales.

The DVD transfer is good considering the source material. The audio is excellent, and Basil Rathbone and Bing Crosby sound charming as they tell their respective tales. There is some grain on the film throughout most of the movie, but this is passable. The music is fun and I'm sure that this flick will hold the attention of any youngster and most adults.

Included on the disc are the short Lonesome Ghosts featuring Mickey Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck. There's also a few previews. For those who take the time to play Mr. Toad's Wild Ride trivia game there's an extra cartoon short, Susie, The Little Blue Coupe. Overall, this is one gem of a film that no true Disney fan should be without.

With Halloween having just passed, this would have been an excellent show to let children watch on that holiday. It's great fun to watch any time of the year.

Highly recommended.

My Review of One of Disney's Darkest Films

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is, in my opinion, one of Disney's darkest films. It has a terrible, wicked enemy and a heart-rending story. I listed it as one of my favorite Disney films in an earlier blog, and now I present to you my review from Amazon.com:

A Brilliant, Darker Disney Film

I've said this before, but I guess I have to say it one more time. Why do all "great" Disney movies have to have some great morality tale to them? Why can't they just be fun movies like Hercules and The Emperor's New Groove? Why can't they be somewhat dark and even a tad depressing like this film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Although The Lion King is probably one of the best Disney films ever, it set a standard that it appears most popular critics feel that every Disney movie should attain to.

Hunchback, much like The Lion King, really is a wonderful story. However, it takes the road less travelled in Disneyland with its depiction of cruelty toward the lead character, Quasimodo, the prejudices held against the gypsies in the hearts of the sinister Frollo, and it throws a little bit of titillation and Catholicism in to boot. All of these components mix together to make a wonderful little recipe of deception, trust, love, and, in true Disney fashion, heroism.

Tom Hulce voices Quasimodo, the unwanted bellringer at Notre Dame. Demi Moore is the sexy and seductive Esmerelda. She really gives Jessica Rabbit a run for the money with her dance moves. Kevin Kline voices Phoebus, one of the most likeable guys in Disney lore. The evil and sinister Frollo, one of the most wicked villains in Disney's catalog, is given a voice by Tony Jay. Jason Alexander, David Ogden Steirs, and Paul Kandel round out a superb cast of characters.

This dark tale starts with the death of Quasimodo's mother at the hands of Frollo. Frollo is forced to care for young Quasimodo and decides that he should stay in the belltower of the beloved Cathedral of Notre Dame. As Quasimodo grows older, he begins to long for the one thing he has never had, which is acceptance among others. Convinced by a few funny gargoyles named after Victor Hugo, he sneaks out of the cathedral and takes part of the Festival of Fools. Exposed and picked at, Quasimodo is protected by the beautiful Esmerelda.

As the story rolls along, Frollo becomes somewhat enamored with Esmerelda and when he finds out that he can't have her, he forces the captain of his forces, Phoebus, to destroy Paris until she is found. Eventually we learn that the monster isn't always the ugliest player in the game. In fact, the man can be even uglier than any physical deformity.

The music in this story is wonderful. Each song plays on the emotion of the viewer. From happiness in songs by Quasimodo, to lust and hatred in Frollo. The animation is nice and vibrant when necessary, but there is a dark tone to this entire film. It's a breath of fresh air for a Disney film. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty to laugh at in this flick, but this movie is meant to be more of a drama than a comedy. Overall, this film is great viewing for most of the family. If your children have tender hearts and hate to see others berated, steer clear. However, if you think that your children deserve a dose of reality and need to see just how cruel people can be towards those who aren't "normal," then Hunchback is the perfect film for you. I talked with my four-year-old daughter as scene after scene of cruelty to Quasimodo occurred. She quickly caught on that Quasimodo may look like a monster, but he's the most loving and caring figure in the film.

Highly recommended.

The Next Disney Film Review From My List

Dumbo is a very touching and wonderful film. If you haven't shared it with your family yet, I hope you will consider it. There is a very positive message about being yourself in here that all children should see.

Here's my review of the recent DVD release of Dumbo. I hope you enjoy it:

I've Seen Everything

When I See An Elephant Fly is just one of a number of classic songs performed in the short and sweet Walt Disney classic, Dumbo. This wonderfully touching film about a young elephant who doesn't fit in speaks volumes to viewers both young and old. More than just a simple cartoon, this story shows how someone who's different deserves just as much respect as any other person.

Jumbo, Jr. (Dumbo's real name) is protected by his mother from bullies until she's punished for defending him in a chaotic tangle with other elephants. He's befriended by the loyal Timothy Q. Mouse (Edward Brophy), who teaches him to keep his head up and be happy just as he is.

This DVD features a number of extras including the obligatory passable music video, a cartoon short of Elmer Elephant and The Flying Mouse, sing along songs and an excellent read along storybook.

Some have stated that this film is racist and/or unsuitable due to the crow characters. To be honest, these characters are some of the most endearing in my opinion. Their song, When Elephants Fly, is one of my personal Disney favorites. Some even go so far as to say that the "drunk" scene goes too far for small children. Guess what, folks, I'd much rather my child see a drunk mouse in a Disney feature than a drunk uncle on Christmas day!

This story teaches tolerance, forgiveness, and that bullies are the only ugly ones around. I highly recommend this tale to anyone who's a fan of Disney, anybody with children, and fans of animation as well.

My Review of Old Yeller

Next on my personal list of great Disney films is Old Yeller. This is my review from Amazon.com and it is on a two disc set that features Old Yeller and its sequel, Savage Sam. While both are excellent films, Savage Sam doesn't possess quite the magic that Old Yeller does. I hope you enjoy my review and please leave comments if you'd like.

Twice The Bark, Twice The Bite

Old Yeller is, simply put, one of the greatest films (and books) ever laid on celluloid. If you're unfamiliar with the story, you don't know what you are missing. Old Yeller tells the story of two boys (expertly played by Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran) who stay on their Texas farm with their mother while their father (Fess Parker) goes on a cattle drive. Yeller shows up and gives the elder brother, Travis Coates (Kirk), quite a bit of trouble until the dog proves his worth by saving everyone in the Coates family in one way or another. Of course, the ending of this heartwarming film is perhaps one of the most depressing in cinematic history, and Tommy Kirk handles his emotions onscreen to perfection.

Savage Sam is sort of a sequel to Old Yeller since it has Travis and little brother Arliss in it, not to mention two other memorable characters (which I'll get to later). In it, Sam is the Coates' new dog and much like Yeller, he's smart, brave, and manages to get into trouble often. Unlike Old Yeller, which was more of a study in the relationship between a young boy and his dog, Savage Sam plays out more like a Western adventure, full of Injun fightin', cowboys, and even a touch of romance. Travis, Arliss, and their friend, Lisbeth Searcy (Marta Kristen of "Lost In Space") are captured by a band of Apache warriors who plan to do who knows what to them. The Coates' uncle Beck (Brian Keith), Mr. Searcy (Jeff York) from the first film, and a gang that includes, among others, Slim Pickens and Dewey Martin, head out to save the kids. Along the way they pick up Sam, who was thought to be dead. Eventually, Sam picks up the kids' trail and he leads our heroes to the three captives. The ending of this film is a lot happier than Old Yeller, but that ol' yeller dog set the bar so high that most will consider Savage Sam inferior to it. That's a fair statement, but there are few films out there that aren't inferior to Old Yeller. Bud Searcy (Jeff York) almost manages to steal both of these films. His proud, lazy, and "always around about dinner time" character is easily the funniest in the lot.

Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran act well beyond their young years should allow in this film. Kirk is especially good at conveying the heartwrenching emotions that he feels as he puts Old Yeller to rest. Beverly Washburn portrays young Lisbeth Searcy in Old Yeller but she didn't return for Savage Sam. No reason is given, but Marta Kristen fills the role nicely and the character gets a considerable amount of screen time in Sam.

The DVD extras are very nice. Bone Trouble is a Disney short in which Pluto has a run-in with a neighbor dog over a bone in a mirror funhouse. It's a nice addition to this set. The real gems here are the features on Don Gipson, author of both Old Yeller and Savage Sam. Gipson's son is interviewed on the day that Yeller and Travis are to be enshrined in front of the local library in Mason, TX, where the Gipson clan is from. There's also interviews with the cast in recent years about the making of the film. In it, Dorothy McGuire, Chuck Connors and Jeff York are fondly remembered by the rest of the original cast. There's also an intimate look at the Disney film life of Tommy Kirk. Old Yeller is a must-have for any true fan of film and/or Disney. It's a Western tale that rivals Shane as one of the greatest Westerns of all time. Savage Sam is also a delight to have, and I'm glad it's included on this disk.

Highly recommended.

My Review of Mulan

Mulan never grabbed my attention until I had a daughter to watch it with. When it first came out, I blew it off as Disney's next attempt at an epic along the same lines as The Lion King. When my daughter came along, though, she wanted the DVD. Being the big pushover that I am, I bought Mulan for her. We watched it together and I immediately fell in love with the film. As the third film listed on my Disney list and as I've done with the first two, here's my review of the film from Amazon.com. I hope you enjoy it.

A Good Message For Young Girls

Although Mulan isn't my favorite of the big Mouse's productions, it is definitely in my top ten. In this tale, a young girl goes against tradition and takes her father's place in a great war with the Mongols by disguising herself as a young man. The tale has been told before in various forms, but it works very well in this picture.

The story gives girls a strong message of doing what you believe in or what is best, even though it may go against tradition or the majority's point of view. In the end, Mulan not only gains the respect of her fellow soldiers, but of the entire empire of China.

The action sequences are fairly intense, although there are really only two major battles. The first is the brilliantly animated fight in the snowy mountains where the Chinese, outnumbered, take on a huge Mongol force lead by the sinister main villain whose name escapes my memory right now. The second major conflict takes place in the emperor's palace and spills into the streets of the city.

The characters in this film are all given proper introductions, though the main bad guy doesn't have many chances to develop. All we really know is that he wants to take over the Chinese empire. Ming-Na Wen provides the speaking voice for Mulan. The rest of the character voices include B.D. Wong, Pat Morita and a hilarious Harvey Fierstein.

Of course, everyone focuses on the comic relief of Mushu(Eddie Murphy). Murphy does a splendid job with the character, though I think he could have been given a little more room to expand on the character. In all honesty, Mushu is almost as funny as Murphy's "Donkey" from the "Shrek" films.

The songs in this film are pretty good. Reflection is a rather good song that is performed by Mulan(singing voice provided by Lea Salonga). The song is very inspiring. My favorite song has to be Be A Man, however. It just sounds great and reminds me of Elvis' GI Blues. You'd think the military would be an odd setting for musical numbers, but it works in both of these films. Another excellent song is True To Your Heart, performed by Stevie Wonder and boy band 98 Degrees. It's a very peppy, feel-good song that finishes off the film in great fashion. The DVD includes a number of special features. From games to the obligatory "Making Of" featurette, it's all here. There is a music video of the aforementioned Stevie Wonder/98 Degrees song and a very, VERY virginal looking Christina Aguilera performing Reflection. Overall, a fine addition to the family DVD collection. I highly recommend this to folks with young daughters due to its good message. Don't worry if you only have sons, the message works for them as well, and there's plenty of action to quench their craving for fight scenes. Highly recommended.