reSee.it - Tweets Saved By @Real_Ed_McCray
reSee.it AI Summary
I'm discussing the nomination of the 1946 film "Song of the South" for the National Film Registry, with a deadline of August 15. The film features significant contributions from James Baskett, the first Black actor to win an Academy Award, and Hattie McDaniel, the first Black actress to win an Oscar. It showcases Hall Johnson's orchestration of Negro Spirituals and blends live action with animation. The song "Zip A Dee Doo Dah" is iconic, and the film holds a special place in Disney history. I believe preserving it is crucial, especially against recent purges.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
This thread is about how to nominate the purged 1946 film Walt Disney's Song of the South to the National Film Registry. The deadline is Aug 15. The form is in the next comment. You need reasons why it should be on the Registry & this thread will give you several.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
This is the form. You must include the release year. Song of the South was released in 1946. https://www.research.net/r/national-fim-registry-nomination-form
National Film Registry Nomination Form
Web survey powered by Research.net. Your feedback is appreciated!
research.net
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Actor James Baskett is the first black actor to receive an Academy Award.This was an eternal Oscar and there was a HUGE fight for him to receive it.He was also the first black actor signed to a 7 year contract & the first actor Walt Disney ever signed.This needs to be celebrated. https://t.co/3zRDCHva4q
Video Transcript AI Summary
James Baskett is being contacted. The Academy wishes to give him an honor.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: James Baskett, Mucklerinas. Sir, could you please hold? Mister James, the academy wishes to give you this honor. Thank you, miss Bergman.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Hattie McDaniel who was the first female black actress who ever won an Oscar is also in this film. This was a prestigious film. https://t.co/EtdzA5W8jZ
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Hall Johnson was the leading authority on Negro Spiritual music at the time.He kept this musical tradition alive & always refused to work on racist projects.Walt hired him to orchestrate the Negro Spirituals in Song of the South & his choir performed them. https://t.co/C89JHPGMNs
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Comic Nick Stewart performed Brer Bear in both the film & for Splash Mountain.With his earnings he started a theater where black actors could perform the classics. https://t.co/G2Y7361j7P
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Here's some clips from an interview with Stewart where he discusses the film if you'd like to see more with him. https://t.co/JaZahvmRId
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speaker recalls being selected by Disney for the 1946 film "Song of the South" and providing the voice for Brer Bear. According to the speaker, Disney was looking for certain characters, and the speaker created the voice that they wanted. The speaker remembers that the film's release was not favorable, particularly among Black people. They felt that the character of Uncle Remus was a "shuffler" and that the film did not show a dignified or better side of Black people. The speaker notes the film was philosophical and contained fables.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Well, one job that you did that has certainly been as much a part of your legacy as anything was in 1946, a Disney film was released called Song of the South.
Speaker 1: Yeah. Mr. Disney selected me for that.
Speaker 0: Well, tell me about your I got
Speaker 1: a picture. I will show you a picture of that in in the in the you'd love this picture. And and it said but me, it said, the bear is saying he said, without you, I wouldn't be nobody. The bear looking at me and hugging me.
Speaker 0: This was Brer Bear? Brer Bear. Yeah. You're the voice of Brer Bear for
Speaker 1: Yeah. You know, see, mister Didney allowed us to he was looking for certain characters, and I brought what he was looking for. I created the voice, you know, where brother be a, you know, And then I could, you know, you and and and that it was what they wanted. You know?
Speaker 0: Mhmm. Any any memories surrounding the release of the film, going to see it?
Speaker 1: I think this the the show didn't get too favorable. It was almost the black people fought it, but I don't wanna go to that. Or if you do, I don't care. You know? That they they said, you know, that it was they felt that uncle Remus was a shuffler, you know, just zagging, and they felt that it was we needed something more dignified.
We needed to show a better side of the black people. It was, you know, it was a philosophical picture. You know, know, that they did, like, fables. You know, you saw the show. Yeah.
Video Transcript AI Summary
In 1946, the speaker did the voice of Brother Bear in the song "Song of the South." On the left is Brother Fox, and in the center is Uncle Remus, played by James Baskett. The speaker is peeping behind Uncle Remus.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Yeah. What did the song of the song? On the left is brother Fox, and in the center is uncle Remus, James Basquette, and peeping behind him is the boy is the guy who played brother Bear, me. Duh. I'm just gonna nog your hair clean off.
That's me. The year 1946 and behind uncle Remus, you seeing people around? I did the voice of Burr Bear. Uh-huh. 1946.
Right.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Kingfish was always looking for a sucker to swindle, and this is happening in politics today. Tim Moore, the actor who played Kingfish, was a vaudeville comedian who once performed in a Scottish kilt with bagpipes.
Moore felt the NAACP allowed the original Amos and Andy to become millionaires, but wanted to cut off black performers like himself as soon as they became successful. Jimmy Basquiat, who played on Carina, was also hurt when the NAACP turned on him for shuffling. He died of a broken heart because they didn't want to show him. He told fables like Uncle Remus, but they didn't want to show it.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Kingfish was always looking for a sucker, trying to find somebody he could swindle. Like today, you got people right now, kingfishers, white and black. Don't name names. Yeah. Right.
And look for somebody that they can swindle. And this is what I'm complaining right now, the politics. And today, you got the kingfishers. Now tell me about Tim Moore, the actor who played Kingfish. Earlier, he was a vaudeville comedian at Apollo and whatnot.
And he early on, he was he he used to he did a single, and he played a he used dress in a Scottish Kilt? Kit, and he had bagpipes in the void. That's how I remember Kingfish. You know? And and and he he was a comedian.
You know? And he did that kind of an act. He was a good comedian. You know? But he gave the people what they wanted to see, and, you know, he's an he didn't work with.
But he he was he one of his complaints was the NAACP, they allowed the original Amos and Nans to become millionaires. But when the NAACP came in, they he said, they're likely to make meals. And and as soon as we get, they wanna cut us off, and that hurt him. And, also, James Edward was hurt. Not James Edward.
Jimmy Basquiat who played on Carina. What happened is he was a brilliant performer, but what happened is the NACP turned on him, and he died of a broken heart. They didn't allow him to you know? Because it was shuffling, you know, you know, and he was a philosopher. Fables he told fables about, you know, Uncle Remus.
And then so they didn't want to show on.
Video Transcript AI Summary
You can't say any group are special thinkers, as there are negative individuals in every group. Not all black people are good or honest, as the "devil comes in all colors." Some people are greedy and want to take everything.
There are good, rich philanthropists, but some rich people would sell out their own mother for a dollar. If we don't watch out, land grabbers will surge. We have to save America and come together as people. Right now, some of the biggest people trying to destroy me are people of my own race.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: The see, the you cannot you cannot say they're special thinkers. They're they're how do you how do I see it? You see, you cannot look at any group and say these people. There are individuals in each group who are negative. And to say that all black people are good, no.
All black people are honest, no. The devil comes in all colors, baby, and we gotta control those devils. You understand what I'm saying? It's and and there are those who are so greedy. You know what I'm saying?
They don't they they wanna take everything you got. So you got that element. And so I how I see it, I pray. I I I I pray I have to They're good, rich people and and and they're they're philanthropists, then there's an element of of of rich people who will sell their mother's deposits for a dollar. You know I'm saying?
And if we don't watch out, there's going to be a surge on all these people except being able to control these man these land grabbers. Can you hear me? So we got to save America. America is our country. I don't wanna say it go down the drain.
We got to come together as people. And don't right now, some of my biggest people that's trying to destroy me is people of my own race.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
The song Zip A Dee Doo Dah was a Oscar winning song & the most popular Walt Disney song of all time. Here's a sampling of some of the who's who that recorded this song. Since 2020 this song has been purged. Walt Disney coined the word. https://t.co/oue12jcrS7
Video Transcript AI Summary
Walt Disney and his staff received numerous Academy Awards across multiple categories. In 1947, the Academy Award for Best Original Song was awarded to a cheerful song from the film Song of the South. The clip transitions to Arthur Duncan, portraying Uncle Remus, dancing to the song.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Walt Disney and his staff won many Academy Awards in various categories. The award winning song for 1947 was a bright and happy tune from the delightful movie song of the South. Now here's Arthur Duncan as uncle Remus dancing to
Video Transcript AI Summary
Zip a dee doo dah, zip a dee air, it's a wonderful day with plenty of sunshine. Mister bluebird is on my shoulder. It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactory. It's a wonderful feeling.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Zip a dee doo dah, zip a dee air. My oh my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine heading my way. Zippity doo dah, zippity air. Mister bluebird on my shoulder.
It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactory. Zippity doo da. Zippity a. Wonderful feeling, wonderful day.
My way, mister bluebird on my shoulder. It's the truth, it's actual. Everything is satisfactual. Zip a dee doo dah. Zip a dee a.
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day.
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speaker expresses joy and contentment, referencing sunshine and a bluebird. They mention "Zippity do die" and "Mister Bluebird, on my shoulder, it's the truth," attributing the sentiment to old Satchmo. The speaker then says "Zip the DNA. Yeah. That's natural."
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: My, oh, my. What a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine in my way. Zippity do die. Mister Bluebird, on my shoulder, it's the truth.
It's actual. Just listen to old Satchmo there. As if it didn't do that. Zip the DNA. Yeah.
That's natural.
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speaker states that music in business evokes strong mental images, even if they aren't visible. They mention a particular piece of music that has been in their mind for almost thirty years and then plays it.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: You know, the great thing about the music in all of business work is that it always evokes such strong images. And even if you can't see the pictures with your eyes, you see them in your head. And this one has been playing around in mine for almost thirty years. Listen. Alright.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
SOTS is also the first time live action & animation was blended together to this extent. Here's a few videos about that. The performance of James Baskett is why this trick works.Unlike Dick Van Dyke, he's making contact with the characters & they move through 3 dimensions. https://t.co/Nwg51igtvN
Video Transcript AI Summary
Walt Disney transported audiences to magical realms filled with fantasy, music, and characters, earning him more Academy Awards than any other filmmaker. This show explores Disney's Oscar-winning and nominated works, including "Song of the South," featuring the Academy Award-winning song "Zip a Dee Doo Da." James Basquette received a special Academy Award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus, a storyteller whose tales have been shared for generations. Disney was captivated by stories and their power to entertain, from folktales like Uncle Remus's Tar Baby to romantic fairy tales like Cinderella.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Yoo hoo. Like Mary Poppins, Walt Disney took his audience to wonderful places filled with fantasy, music, and marvelous characters. Because he created a magical world that was and is unique, Walt won more Academy Awards than any other filmmaker. In this show, we'll visit that enchanted land inhabited by Disney's Oscar nominees and winners. A place where Uncle Remus sings the Academy Award winning song, Zip a Dee Doo Da from the Song of the South.
Why is that blue bird? James Basquette also won a special Academy Award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus, the beloved storyteller whose wonderful tales have been told for generations. How do you do? Walt Disney was fascinated by all types of stories and their ability to entertain audiences. It could be a folktale like Uncle Remus's Tar Baby.
Or the romantic fairy tale Oh my god. Cinderella. What's the matter?
Video Transcript AI Summary
Disney has been combining animation and the real world for over sixty years. The speaker is in a forest to prove to Prince Charming that the two worlds are not separate.
The speaker references Uncle Remus and Brare Frog fishing, asking viewers to identify what is real and animated. Test footage for Mary Poppins offers a glimpse into mixing live action and animation, showing pencil tests and a Dick Van Dyke drawing used as a visual reference.
In 1982, Disney's Tron featured state-of-the-art computer animation.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: I really love it when the animated world and the real world are combined on the screen. And Disney has been doing it better than anyone else for over sixty years. And the reason I'm in this particular forest is because I want
Speaker 1: to prove to Prince Charming that we really don't live in two different worlds. I hope he gets here before my taxi turns back into a pumpkin.
Speaker 0: I'm wishing for the one I love. When Uncle Remus and Brare Frog go fishing, see if you can spot what's real and what's been animated.
Speaker 1: He sure is. You mark my words, but a fact. That young scout was going to put his foot into one of these days.
Speaker 0: In this test footage for Mary Poppins, we get a rare glimpse into the art of mixing live action and animation. On the right are pencil tests and a drawing of Dick Van Dyke that was used as a visual reference by the animators. Oh, by the way, I hear the food at this place is pretty good, but the waiters are kind of slippery. In 1982, the Disney studio took a giant leap forward with Tron, an adventure movie which featured state of the art computer animation.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
SOTS was an important film to Walt Disney & the only film he excerpted in both of his original 1950's Christmas specials & his debut Disneyland episode. Here he is talking about it in a full episode devoted to SOTS, https://t.co/I3py6R2cfg
Video Transcript AI Summary
Joel Chandler Harris is known for preserving plantation legends from his time at Turnwald and creating Uncle Remus, who tells them. Uncle Remus is presented telling the Tar Baby story from the motion picture Song of the South. He describes Brer Rabbit as the "most bodacious critter in the whole world." Brer Fox is curious about Brer Rabbit's whereabouts up on Chickapin Hill. Brer Fox says he will catch Brer Rabbit this time, unlike previous attempts. One character suggests knocking Brer Rabbit's head off, but another wants to fool him to prove who is the smartest. They believe their plan will fool Brer Rabbit.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Joel Chandler Harris as we all know went on to a place in the hearts of the whole world. For searching out and preserving these wise and witty plantation legends based on the memories of his days at Turnwald for creating Uncle Remus to tell them he will be forever loved by the children of all ages and of all races everywhere. Now from a motion picture song of the South let's listen while Uncle Remus himself tells what is probably the most famous of all of his fables, the Tar Baby story.
Speaker 1: Because this bear rabbit, he is the outdoers, the most bodacious critter in the whole world. Now this year tale didn't happen just yesterday nor the day before. 'Twas a long time ago. Of course, I didn't know it at the time, but Brer Rabbit was a hidden sweet for truckers because up on Chickapin Hill, at the edge of the big woods, old Pearl fox was powerful curious about the whereabouts of Pearl rabbit. Here he come.
Here he come. Here he come. Right now. This time. No, sir.
Don't catch him sure. I'll catch him sure. That that that's what you said the last time before and the time before that. And look. Let's just knock his head clean off.
Oh, no. Indeed. Ain't nothing smart about that. I'm gonna show him who the smartest is. And the top beagle do the rest.
It sure gonna fool him. Yes, sir. It sure fool him. It ain't gonna fool nobody.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
All of Walt's animators said SOTS was their favorite film they ever worked on. Here's a few clips of some of them discussing it. BTW James Baskett also played Brer Fox & in one sequence he was Brer Bear. https://t.co/32lZzE8nLf
Video Transcript AI Summary
Song of the South depicts human nature through animal characters. The bear is presented as someone locked into one thought process. The rabbit is portrayed as a schemer and con man, exemplified by his modified scarecrow trick on Brother Bear. The fox and the bear exhibit cruelty when they tease the helpless tar baby, dancing around him and making fun of him while he is pleading.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: In song of the south, Eric drew on still another side of human nature.
Speaker 1: A bear that could lock into only one thought process, and you one thought, and you've met people like that. How you? Did. Hide them all. Oh, oh, oh, what you doing up there?
And, of course, you have the the rabbit who's a good schemer. That's for sure. And he he was a con man, really. You know, you'd make a modified scarecrow, brother Bear. How'd you like to have this job?
Oh, yeah. God. No. God. I couldn't take your job.
No. No. No. That's alright. You Wonderful.
A cruelty comes out, I think, of course, there's several different kinds. I think the cruelty that the fox and the bear exhibited when they danced around the tar baby, making fun of him, enjoying teasing the little guy. He was helpless. I think that's some kind of cruelty. If it's pleading, it they're
Video Transcript AI Summary
Song of the South features a comical struggle between rabbit and fox, animated characters with human personalities. Uncle Remus told stories about these characters as if they were people, but they retained animal characteristics.
The key ingredient for animating these animals with human personalities is voice. Jim Basquiat, who played Uncle Remus, also did the Fox's voice, demonstrating a tremendous range. The fox plots to catch the rabbit, building a trap.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Mark moved from the battle between eagle and octopus to the more comical struggle between rabbit and fox in song of the South, Disney's classic combination of animation and live action.
Speaker 1: You know, these were personalities that uncle Remus told about, and he told about them as if they were people. But they happened to be a fox, they happened to be a rabbit, and they happened to be a bear. They all stood on their hind legs like humans. They had human personalities, yet they did think certain things that were characteristic of the animal and that the rabbit hopped and the fox would have eaten him. You know, all these things which were characteristically animal.
Speaker 2: That biggity old rabbit won't get away this time. No, sir. Go and catch him sure. I'll catch him sure.
Speaker 3: That that that's what you
Speaker 4: said the last time before and the time before that. And look. Let's just knock his head clean off.
Speaker 2: Oh, no. Indeed. Ain't nothing smart about that. I'm gonna
Speaker 0: show The key ingredient for an animator in giving these animals human personalities is voice.
Speaker 1: Voices and the pattern of a voice has an awful lot to do with interpretation of a character. Jim Basquiat, who played Uncle Ramos, did the Fox's voice, and he could go he could run a tremendous gamut of height and low, fast and slow. And it gave you so many things to do with a character because you knew just exactly what was happening, you know. Or he could be very slow and sneaky. You see, there are these possibilities.
Speaker 2: Oh, yes. Indeed. Eyes. I'm glad I thought of that. Let me see now.
Mhmm. Mhmm. Let me see about just about this size. Now let me see. Oh, yes.
Nose too. Gotta have nose. Need one of those very, very badly. Gotta have a nose. This is sure gonna do the trick.
Just looking more natural all the time.
Speaker 4: It even hair. It got no hair. Hair. No. Mhmm.
Speaker 2: Alright. Come on. We have a lot. We have a lot. Come on.
I was saying that all day.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Ollie's favorite character triangle originated in Song of the South, featuring Brr Rabbit, Brr Bear, and Brr Fox. The Fox was a rich character, confident and driven, yet vulnerable to the Rabbit's tricks. The Fox would catch the Rabbit, but the Rabbit would trick him to escape, often involving the Bear to his advantage. The Rabbit could always use the Bear in escaping. An example is given of the Rabbit tricking the Bear into believing he's earning a dollar a minute keeping crows out of a cornfield.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Ollie's favorite triangle of characters sprang up from the Song of the South. Brr Rabbit, Brr Bear, and Brr Fox were an animator's delight.
Speaker 1: Song of the South had great characters and great voices. The Fox in particular was a real rich character. He was so sure of himself and so sure of what he wanted, but he had this one weakness that he would always fall for any roost that the rabbit had. Fox kept catching him, and then the rabbit would somehow trick him and get out. And the rabbit could usually get the bear involved on his side, and he was always able to use him in get in escaping.
So he had a wonderful triangle there. What you doing up there? Oh, keeping the crows out the cornfield. I was making a dollar a minute. A dollar a minute?
Diedar is, would you like to make a dollar a minute, bro? Thank you, brother Rabbit. That's alright. Hold on, brother. I'll never forget to Hello.
Goodbye. I just don't know how how is that Oh my god. Oh, no.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Milt found a challenge in Song of the South, a combination of animation and live action released in 1946. The animated sections were a high point, with rich characters. There was a bear with a one-track mind and the mind of a child, who was also slow witted. There was also a sharp-witted fox who outsmarted himself. The rabbit put on a show to outwit the fox, acting scared to trick him into throwing him into the briar patch, where he was born and bred.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: At last, Milt found a challenge in Song of the South, a combination of animation and live action released in 1946.
Speaker 1: The animated sections were rather, I always thought, a high for us. Know, they were the characters were well, I've often said that if there's anything good about our pictures, because our characters were rich. Well, they were rich there. Know, you had they they were very rich and very contrasting, you know. So you had you had this this bear with a one track mind and and and the mind of a child, really.
You know, he's and very slow witted.
Speaker 2: What I said was, I'm gonna knock his head clean. And
Speaker 1: then you had this very, very sharp witted fox who outsmarted himself all the time,
Speaker 2: you know. Please, brother, please don't bring me in with that brow pat. Brow pat? Brow pat. Me?
Oh, no. We don't do that. And then you
Speaker 1: have the rabbit who's put on quite a show to out with the fox, you know, and act act like he was terribly scared and especially got when he got this outsmart him, got him to throw him in the briar patch, you know, where he was born and bred.
Speaker 2: Yes, sir, brother Fox. I was more than good in the crowd, Patcher.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Here's one more of Walt's artists discussing his work on Song of the South. Ken Anderson worked with Ub Iwerks to accomplish the blending of live action & animation in Song of the South. https://t.co/ZBXXOrBJdk
Video Transcript AI Summary
Walt Disney aimed to combine live actors and animation in "Song of the South," creating a unified world for humans, animals, and cartoon characters. The goal was to transport Uncle Remus into a cartoon world while telling fantasy tales.
A large cartoon set was built and lit to appear like a painted background, allowing animators to integrate animated characters into live-action scenes. This technique was unprecedented. The process involved close collaboration with head animators, using miniature scenes to plan each section. Animators could either approve the scenes or suggest changes, fostering a collaborative environment they enjoyed.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Disney's next assignment for his jack of all trades, to perfect the combination of live actors and an animated world.
Speaker 1: Song of the South was to be a combination. Again, I have to relate everything back to Walt. Because Walt, I don't think it would have happened if it hadn't been that Walt Disney wanted to find the proper way to have humans and animals and and cartoon characters work together on film and make us feel like they're in one world. We want to put uncle Remus in a cartoon world. Have him walking around when he was telling these fantasy tales, he should really be transported himself into this cartoon world.
So, we built a set, a huge set, cartoon set, that we were tending to light as flat as we possibly could so it looked like a painted cartoon background. We could then print into the live action backgrounds and into the set scenes. We could print our animation characters, and they would appear to be long. It was the first time that had ever been done. But what it involved was, technically, it involved very very close work with the head animators.
And I made what you a book after book after book of miniatures. Miniature scenes of and what who did it and what. And they went down to the animators. And here's a section you're gonna work on. Would you like to go over it in thumbnail form?
Because Ken's gonna go over and shoot this stuff. And so, we would have different animators would would either say, yeah, I like it just the way it is, or they would come up with suggestions for changes, and then we'd have hash it out. And they loved it. They loved that way of working.
Speaker 2: Dog gone, that friend rabbit is sure of course. He sure is. You mark my words, but thanks. That young scout is gonna put his foot in it one of these days.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Those are your reasons. As a side note, SOTS was always a major part of the Walt Disney stable of characters.This is from the opening of Walt Disney World. Julie Andrews watches clips from the films & look at how SOTS is among them. Then she sings the song. This was an anthem. https://t.co/iyOe8yvkS6
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speaker is in Disney World. To prove it, they sing a portion of "The Mickey Mouse Review." The lyrics include: "I'm wishing for the one I love to find me today. Tell me wishing well. Will my wish come true with your magic spell? Won't you tell me what to do?"
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Now we are back in Disney World. And to prove it, here's the Mickey Mouse review. One, two, three, four. I'm wishing for the one I love to find me today. Tell me wishing well.
Will my wish come true with your magic spell? Won't you tell me what to do?
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
As a bonus, by getting SOTS on the National Film Registry we are both preserving history & sending a message as we push back against the woke agenda. All aspects of this film have been purged by Woke Disney. It really does deserve to be there. https://t.co/zjU2iDLYlW
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
This is a thread I made earlier this year where I examine the Oscar winning performance of James Baskett in Song of the South. https://t.co/JVN4YFfA69
reSee.it AI Summary
I’ve been exploring James Baskett's Oscar-winning performance in "Song of the South," highlighting its often overlooked live-action elements alongside the animated sequences. The story revolves around a boy grappling with his father's absence, with Uncle Remus stepping in as a father figure, showcasing a unique dynamic for 1946. The grandmother's role is also significant, advocating for fatherhood amidst censorship. Baskett's portrayal is groundbreaking, especially in scenes that emphasize friendship over race. His interactions with animated characters were unprecedented, marking a milestone in film history.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
This thread is about James Baskett's often overlooked Oscar winning performance in Song of the South. We always focus on the animated sequences with the live action story usually ignored. The story is about a little boy while his parents are separated. See how they set up Uncle Remus in the dialogue here long before he's introduced. BTW Aunt Tempie is portrayed by Hattie McDaniel who is the first black person to ever receive an Oscar.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Uncle Remus says there are ways to learn about mules without getting kicked and that animal tales can teach lessons if one listens. Miss Sally and Mister John are traveling to the plantation with Johnny, who asks if his grandma is mad at them because of what his daddy writes in the newspaper.
They hear frogs, and Mister John recalls catching frogs as a child and releasing them in his grandma's milk house after hearing a story from Uncle Remus about Brethrau. Aunt Tempe asks how there can be a tail when there ain't no tail. Johnny asks if Uncle Remus is real, and Aunt Tempe confirms he is, saying to tell a tale about Br'er Rabbit to know he's real.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Yes, sir. There's other ways of learning about the behind feet of a mule than getting kicked by. Shows I'm name reamers. And just cause these yet tails has bought critters like bear rabbit and bear fox, that don't mean they ain't the same like can happen to folks. So then what can't learn from a tale about critters just ain't got theirs tuned for listening.
Speaker 1: Life is not. They're too busy going along all mixed up with their own troubles. Like the time that miss Sally and mister John was coming down to the plantation.
Speaker 2: Mama. Yes, Johnny.
Speaker 3: Where are we going to grandma's?
Speaker 2: Well, I told you, dear. For a visit.
Speaker 3: Why don't you come to see us like she did last spring? Because I
Speaker 2: thought you'd enjoy seeing the plantation.
Speaker 3: Is grandma mad at us? Well, of
Speaker 2: course not, Johnny. Whatever gave you that idea?
Speaker 3: Well, Georgie says everybody's mad what daddy writes in the newspaper. Don't grandma read the newspaper? Don't she?
Speaker 4: She does. And she likes what's in
Speaker 2: it. John, please.
Speaker 3: Are you mad at each other too?
Speaker 2: I know, dear. Of course, I am.
Speaker 5: Gracious goodness, John, it was almost there. Listen. You ain't never hear no frogs like them in Atlanta.
Speaker 4: You know what they're saying? Diddy, diddy.
Speaker 3: Honest. Honest.
Speaker 0: You
Speaker 4: know, when I was your age, I used to catch lots of them. Remember one time, I, hit a whole box of them open your grandma's milk house, and it got loose.
Speaker 5: Yes. And I remember what you got for doing it too.
Speaker 4: Well, it was old uncle Remus's fault, sir. He told me that story about Brethrau.
Speaker 5: The tail bottom having a tail and losing it?
Speaker 4: That's it. Only
Speaker 5: can there be a tail when there ain't no tail?
Speaker 3: Aunt Tempe.
Speaker 5: What is
Speaker 4: the child?
Speaker 3: Is uncle Remus real? Real?
Speaker 5: Of course, he's real. You just wave your heads and tell a tale about Bloody Rabbit, then you know he's real.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
What's important in this scene is the boy's sense of betrayal when the father leaves. That plays a role later. We're never told what's in his newspaper that offends people but at this time Atlanta had been burned to the ground by General Sherman. It was in ruins even during reconstruction. His paper may have been advocating for the free black people because Joel Chandler Harris who wrote down the Uncle Remus was a newspaper man who did just that. This was commonly known in 1946. Also pay attention to the grandmother. More on her role later.
Video Transcript AI Summary
The grandmother welcomes her daughter and grandson, Johnny, back home, noting Johnny resembles his grandfather. She instructs someone to show Johnny around the plantation and keep him out of trouble.
Sally tells John she has to stay because her mother has enough responsibility already. John wants Sally and Johnny to return with him, but Sally refuses. John says he will have to go back without her.
John tells his son he has to leave to do a job and tasks Johnny with taking care of his mother and grandmother. Johnny begs his father not to go, threatening to go with him.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Welcome home, my daughter. Oh, and you too, sir. Oh, it's good to have a man in the house again. Turn around here, young man, and let me have a look at you. You favor your grandfather more every time I see you.
Toby?
Speaker 1: Now it's miss Doshi.
Speaker 0: This is my grandson, Johnny, and he's the apple of my eye. Now you take good care of him and show him our plantation. And if he gets into trouble, you'll see that he gets out of this. I hope you're a noisy boy. I love noisy children.
It makes it so much easier to tell where they are and what they're up to. I'm telling you, is that uncle Remus? Uncle Remus? That wasn't no honey. That's just me.
Come on. I showed the big grandpa clock. I've been hearing about the clapper you've raised in Atlanta, thumping for cotton mills, railways, and heaven knows what. Miss Garcia, how do rumble about this truck? Put it in the oh, well, never mind.
Perhaps I better show him myself. Come along. Now be careful, you don't bother me.
Speaker 2: Sally. Well, what are you gonna tell her? Have you changed your mind or you're still gonna stay?
Speaker 3: Oh, I have to stay, John. It wouldn't be fair to mama.
Speaker 1: She has enough responsibility. I'm not going to saddle her with ours.
Speaker 2: But it's only for a short time. And she'd only too glad to take care of Johnny.
Speaker 0: When that big can get straight up. Watch out. What I tell you?
Speaker 2: Oh, miss Doshi, Sally wants Johnny to stay here for a while with you.
Speaker 0: What will you do?
Speaker 2: Well, I'm going back, and I want Sally to go with
Speaker 1: It's no use, John. I'm not going back.
Speaker 2: Then I'll have to go without you. I'd better hurry or I'll miss my train.
Speaker 0: Miss it. You won't regret it. Daddy, you're going back? Yes, sir. Why?
I have to. But you you've never left mom and me before.
Speaker 2: Oh, I know. But I've got a job to do. And you got one too. Taking care of mother and grandmother. You do that now for me, won't you?
Bye, son.
Speaker 0: Bye, mister Sheen. Bye, sir.
Speaker 1: Daddy, go. Don't go. Please, daddy. Please. I won't stand here.
If you go, I'm going too.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
This is where we first meet Uncle Remus. The boy is running away to Atlanta to be with his dad. Remus uses reverse psychology to get the boy to return to his mom. This demonstrates what Walt Disney said about deeds rather than words. He even said lecturing a child isn't as effective as shepherding them. Remus shepherds the boy into making the right choice & he learns for himself. Remus' stories are used in this manner too. Remus also recognizes that he's the father figure in this boy's life & embraces his role. In 1946 it had never been seen in a film where a black man was the father figure to a white boy. Race never even comes up. It's just a neighbor mentoring a fatherless neighbor boy.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Uncle Remus is telling tales, as he used to do for Miss Sally when she was young. Fauzi asks if he has seen Johnny, as Miss Sally has been looking for him. Chloe scolds Uncle Remus for letting the boy out of his sight, reminding him that Miss Doshi told him to take care of him. Uncle Remus tells Miss Tempe to tell Miss Sally that the boy is with him. Someone is planning on going someplace and declares that nobody is going to stop them. Uncle Remus says he was figuring on doing something like that himself and asks if he can go along.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Uncle Remy, you tell the best tales in the whole United States Of Georgia.
Speaker 1: Oh, the child, you should've heard me tell them what I could tell them. I bound you to bust the buttons off your hutch, McCollins. When miss Sally was your age, she used to sit
Speaker 2: just as you sitting right
Speaker 1: now and laugh till she could laugh no more.
Speaker 0: Uncle Remus. Uncle Remus. Fauzi must say, have you seen Johnny? Poor miss Salad, she's been looking high and low for that child.
Speaker 2: You sure ain't been down to listen to one of your tale.
Speaker 0: Close that one. Come you let that boy get out of your sight? Didn't miss Doshi tell you to take care of him?
Speaker 2: Come on, Chloe. I'll just got to find him. Poor miss Sally goes out of her mind.
Speaker 1: Miss Tempe, you tell miss Sally the boy is with me.
Speaker 0: What do you mean he's with you?
Speaker 2: Never mind. You just tell him what I said.
Speaker 0: Come on, Toby. Get it. Yeah. Go. Go.
Go.
Speaker 1: Well, bless my soul.
Speaker 2: Oh, there now. Done gone and got something in your eye. And I ain't surprised. Things blowing around here the way they does. No.
Appears to me like you's figuring on going someplace.
Speaker 0: I am, and nobody's gonna stop me. Well,
Speaker 1: now, if that don't bang
Speaker 2: my time. You know, I was just figuring on doing something like that myself. How'd you like old uncle Remus to go along with you?
Video Transcript AI Summary
The speakers discuss a trip to Atlanta, but one person lacks provisions. The first speaker offers to start at their place for cornbread and sweet tea.
One speaker declares they are not going back and accuses the other of laughing at them. The first speaker denies this, saying the words remind them of a Br'er Rabbit story about leaving his briar patch. The second speaker insists they are never coming back either.
The first speaker then seems to avoid talking about Br'er Rabbit, but eventually agrees to tell the story to stop the other person from pestering them. They claim Br'er Rabbit is the "most bodacious critter in the whole world."
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Now let's see now. Where are we thinking on going? How can we be going someplace if we don't know where it's going?
Speaker 1: I'm going to Atlanta.
Speaker 0: Powerful long walk to Atlanta. Did you bring some grub? No. Well, now, we ain't got no grub. We sure can't get very far.
Suppose we starts by my place and picks up some cornbread and maybe some sweet tea, to be sure, honey. Give me a hand. I need your eyes and the door. It's all the late in the day to be starting on such a long trip, ain't it?
Speaker 1: Well, you don't have to go just because you said you would.
Speaker 0: Well, now, I ain't hear nobody say nothing about not going. Of course, I'll go.
Speaker 1: I'm not going back. You're not laughing at me.
Speaker 0: At you, honey? No, sir. I was laughing because they're exactly the words that old, Bray, rabbit used the time that he lit off from his bribe patch.
Speaker 1: And I ain't never coming back neither.
Speaker 0: Yes, sir. It was his very words. Well, reckon I better be getting my things together so we can be leaving.
Speaker 1: What'd you say about Which
Speaker 0: Brrabbit was that, honey?
Speaker 1: Why you said something about Brrabbit.
Speaker 0: Who? Me? I might have said something about him day before yesterday. They done gone clean off my mind.
Speaker 1: Why you said there was a tale about Burr Rabbit not coming back to his briar patch.
Speaker 0: Oh, bless my soul, child. I sure did. And if I don't tell you about it, you're gonna pester me till I does. So what's the odds? Ain't no great tail know how.
Speaker 1: Is that the same bird rabbit? A guy away from the fox?
Speaker 0: Why don't you know that ain't but one bird rabbit? Now you just set yourself down here and listen with both ears wide open, because this Bray rabbit, he is the outdoers, the most bodacious critter in the whole world.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Here's where we return to the grandmother. Historically she & Remus would have had a master/slave relationship in the past. Observe how they relate to each other. The grandmother is an unsung character in the story as we'll see shortly. https://t.co/YV09z3TosB
Video Transcript AI Summary
Miss Sally is upset that her son Charlie is out late with Uncle Remus, who was telling him stories. Remus admits he forgot the time while telling a tale about a bear rabbit. Sally tells Remus not to let it happen again and takes Charlie to bed. Later, Remus and Miss Dozier discuss the child, with Remus suggesting the child needs his father. Dozier says the mother needs the father too, but it will take her time to realize it. Remus suggests Miss Dozier write a letter, but she rebuffs him, stating she will ask for his advice if she wants it. Remus asks if Dozier is mad at him, and she says she is not.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Tempe. Yes. Tempe, go and find uncle Remus and see if Johnny's with her. Never mind, Tempe. Now maybe I can get some sleep.
Think they're waiting for me?
Speaker 1: They ain't passing the time of day.
Speaker 0: Son, where have you been?
Speaker 1: Lord, miss Sally, didn't this Tampi tell you he was with me?
Speaker 0: Yes. She told me, but it's so long past Charlie's bedtime.
Speaker 1: To be sure, miss Sally, I was telling him a tale about a bear rabbit, and a plum forgot the time.
Speaker 0: Well, I don't mind you telling him stories, uncle Remus, but you know perfectly well it's too late for him to be out.
Speaker 1: Yes. It won't happen again, miss Sally.
Speaker 0: I'm sure it will. Well, son, let's run along upstairs and get ready for bed. Miss Toshit, plan for dad's bundle. Didn't I tell you to run along home for you more to take this thing off? You and your stories.
Speaker 1: Miss Dozier, what else gonna do about that child?
Speaker 0: I wish I knew. A grandmother doesn't count for much these days.
Speaker 1: Yes. It's a pity too. What that child needs is his paw.
Speaker 0: And that's what his mother needs, but I'm afraid it's going to take a little while for her to find that out.
Speaker 1: Might cut the time down a piece, miss Doshi, if you just drafts a word.
Speaker 0: If I want your advice, I'll ask for it. I'm a stubborn old woman, uncle Remus.
Speaker 1: Yes, miss Doshi. I know it's that. Well, good night.
Speaker 0: Good night.
Speaker 1: You ain't mad with me, mister Doshi.
Speaker 0: You meddling old rascal. Of course, I'm not mad with you.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Ironically Song of the South is about censorship. The mother forbids Uncle Remus from telling his stories. Notice it's the grandmother who's the advocate for fatherhood/masculinity. The mom ignore this wisdom & drives Uncle Remus away. Look at how good Baskett is in this scene where he packs up his things. The woke claim this is a master/slave relationship but it's actually about a neighbor honoring the wishes of a parent. Also if Remus were a slave he couldn't leave the plantation...
Video Transcript AI Summary
Johnny was only trying to be like Brer Rabbit, but Miss Sally believes Uncle Remus's stories confuse him and make it difficult to raise him to be obedient and truthful. She asks Uncle Remus to stop telling him stories for a while because Johnny is too young. Miss Sally tells her mother that she can't overlook Johnny's behavior and that he has to learn. Her mother responds that without Uncle Remus and his stories, the child would be desolate and needs something to hold on to. She suggests that the boy needs friends of his own age.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Lord and miss Sally, Johnny didn't mean no harm. He just trying to be like Brer Rabbit. I told him a tale about the tall baby, and he just got a little bit too bodacious and out reached his self. That's all.
Speaker 1: Uncle Remus, I'm trying my best to bring up Johnny to be obedient and truthful. But you and your stories are making that very difficult. I think maybe it would be better if he didn't hear anymore for a while.
Speaker 0: On this side, the stories ain't done no
Speaker 1: They only confuse him. I know you mean well, uncle Remus, but Johnny's too young.
Speaker 0: Miss Sarah
Speaker 1: I'll have to ask you not to tell him anymore.
Speaker 0: Yes, miss Sarah.
Speaker 1: But what else could I have done, mama? I can't just overlook it. He has to learn the mind.
Speaker 2: That's very true. But without uncle Remus and his stories, the child would be utterly desolate. He needs something to hold on to.
Speaker 1: Well, he has his mother, his grandmother.
Speaker 2: We're not enough, Sally. The boy must have friends. And if it's not uncle Remus or the Faber's children, then it must be someone else, someone of his own age. That's just good common sense.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Sally tells Uncle Remus to stay away from Johnny because he can't stop telling stories. Uncle Remus says he is just an old man who tells stories that have never done harm to anyone. He questions why the stories have lasted so long if they don't do any good. He mentions a hole he knows and that he was going to whitewash the walls. Uncle Remus says he was going away to Atlanta.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: I sure is sorry, miss Sally.
Speaker 1: Now it's my fault. I should have known you couldn't stop telling your stories. I don't like to say this, uncle Remus. But from now on, I want you to stay away from Johnny. You understand?
Completely away.
Speaker 0: Yes. Know. I'm just a wad old man what don't do nothing but tell stories. But they ain't never done no harm to nobody. And if they don't do no good, how come they last so long?
This year's the only hole I know. I was gonna whitewash the walls too. But not now. Time doesn't run out.
Speaker 1: Uncle Remus, is it Johnny?
Speaker 0: Uncle Remus, what you doing? I was going away. To Atlanta.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
In this scene the boy has deceived Uncle Remus in defying the mother over keeping a dog. Look at how well Baskett plays this scene. In 1946 this had rarely been seen let alone from a black actor and never a black man with a white child. https://t.co/ZV3N2OfoJy
Video Transcript AI Summary
A child is looking for their dog, Tingy. The child's uncle says Tingy is back at the Favors, where he belongs. The child says Tingy is their dog, given to them by Jenny. The uncle says the child's mother told them to take the dog back, and she doesn't like that it hasn't been done. The child says Tingy wasn't bothering anyone and that they love him. The uncle says the mother knows best. The child believes Jake will drown Tingy. The uncle says the puppy is gone, and that's that. The child accuses the uncle of not caring. The uncle says he is no good to anybody and will not be telling any more stories. The child says the uncle is their best friend.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Tingy. Here, Tingy. Tingy, where are you? Uncle Remus, a present for Tingy. Where's Teenchy?
Speaker 1: He's gone.
Speaker 0: Gone? Then we gotta find him. Something might happen to him if he runs around loose.
Speaker 1: He ain't running around loose.
Speaker 0: Then where is he?
Speaker 1: He back at the favors. That's why it belongs to you knows it.
Speaker 0: But, Chinchie, he's my dog. He's mine. Jenny gave him to me, and you said
Speaker 1: Never mind what I said. Your ma told you to take that dog back where he come from, and you ain't done it. She don't like that. I don't blame her.
Speaker 0: But he wasn't bothering anybody.
Speaker 1: She your ma. She knows what's best for you.
Speaker 0: But I I love him. He loves me. You shouldn't have done it, uncle Remus. Jake will drowned it. I know he will.
Speaker 1: Ain't no use you carrying on. Puppy's gone and that's that.
Speaker 0: You don't even care. Teenchy's gone, and you don't care at all.
Speaker 1: It don't make no difference whether I does or whether I don't. I'm just a waddle man what ain't no good to nobody.
Speaker 0: But uncle Remus, you're the best friend I have.
Speaker 1: Maybe so. But I'm that pester. I don't know whether I'm end upwards or end downwards. But I does know this. I ain't gonna be telling you no more stories.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
In this scene Uncle Remus leaves to Atlanta to get the dad. The boy feels betrayed by Uncle Remus just as he felt abandoned by his father. The mom ends up seeing where he actions have led. The drama of this story always gets overlooked. https://t.co/1WqBKUhPgR
Video Transcript AI Summary
A child tells his mother that Uncle Remus is gone and asks why he left. The mother responds that she doesn't know but suggests that "mother" is to blame. Another person, Miss Sally, reports that Uncle Remus is getting in a wagon to leave.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Mama, he's gone. Uncle Remus is gone. Where'd he go, mama?
Speaker 1: I don't know, son.
Speaker 0: But why did he leave? Why?
Speaker 1: I'm afraid mother's to blame.
Speaker 0: Miss Sally, uncle Raymond got away. He's getting in the wagon.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
This scene showcases the Hall Johnson Choir. He preserved the Negro Spiritual into the 20th century & refused to collaborate on racist projects. Because there's so many secularists in mainstream pop culture they're unaware of faith & community. It was not uncommon for neighbors to hold vigils like this for sick or dying neighbors. It's not about race. Also notice how they're singing their prays pleading for the boy to survive. Remus pauses, removes his hat, and looks up to God. He doesn't look to the window or anyone else. Internally is he blaming himself for leaving. It's between him & God.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Mister John is distraught, talking as if his heart is breaking. He was in the bull pasture, attempting to prevent uncle Remus from leaving.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Mister John? How is he? Well, he's out of his head, son, talking like his little heart's about to break. You see, mister John, he was cutting through the bull pasture, trying to stop uncle Remus from going away.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
Here it's the grandmother who fetches Uncle Remus. It's then Uncle Remus' stories that help bring the boy back from delirium. If you notice, the boy reaches out for Remus & Remus takes his hand. Again, this was unheard of between white/black characters in 1946. No one here is seen as superior/lesser. They're all friends & family. The family is reunited & check out the glance between the grandmother & Remus. This is why James Baskett was awarded his eternal Oscar. It wasn't just for blending animation with live action.
Video Transcript AI Summary
The smoke was coming out of the chimney, and the light from the lamps was shining soft. Inside the house, the kettle was singing over the fire. Things was mighty satisfaction because Bril Rabbit done come back to his laughing place with the folks all around him what blond up. That night, he was the happiest rare rabbit, and that was the laugh in his place in the whole wide world. Daddy's here. It's alright. I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna stay right here where I belong. We'll have more fun than the Bray Rabbit himself and will have the laugh in his place in the whole wide world. That's the truth. Things are looking mighty satisfaction.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Son.
Speaker 1: Daddy's here. Uncle Remus, come back, uncle Remus. Come back.
Speaker 0: Johnny. Johnny.
Speaker 2: Go rivers, please. And the Remus.
Speaker 0: The smoke was coming out of the chimney, and the light from the lamps was shining soft. Inside the house, the kettle was singing over the fire. On the hearth, the cricket was a chicken to the tune. Yes, sir. Things was mighty satisfaction because Bril Rabbit done come back to his laughing place with the folks all around him what blond up.
Speaker 2: Oh, good.
Speaker 0: And that night, he was the happiest rare rabbit, and that was the laugh in his place in the whole wide world.
Speaker 2: Daddy. Bubble. Daddy's here. Bubble.
Speaker 0: She's right here, son.
Speaker 1: Yes, darling. It's alright. Bubble, why don't you stay, please?
Speaker 0: Don't ask, son. I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna stay right here where I belong.
Speaker 1: Honest. Honest.
Speaker 0: And we'll have more fun than the Bray Rabbit himself.
Speaker 1: And will have the laugh in his place in the whole wide world.
Speaker 0: And that's the truth. Miss Doshi, things are looking mighty satisfaction. My dissatisfaction.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
I can't end this thread without showing at least one animated clip. Here's James Baskett singing the Academy Award winning song from Song of the South. It's provably hands down the most successful song in Disney's history. In the Obama years a lie began that it was based on an 1820's song that I can't name here of I get a strike each time. It's not. That song became Turkey in the Straw before the Civil War. There would not have been widespread access to that knowledge in 1946 when the song hadn't been used in over a century. Although some live action & animation had been blended before, these sequences with James Baskett interacting with animated characters had never been seen of this caliber before. Remember, this is all analog. None of this animated stuff was there. Baskett had to imagine all of it & interact as if it were there. This had never been attempted where an actor performed scenes with animated co-stars. They'd performed a song or dance but nothing like this.
Video Transcript AI Summary
There once was a Br'er Rabbit, the most bodacious critter. In those days, critters and folks were close, and it was a zippity doo dah day.
Br'er Rabbit was in a bad mood and leaving his briar patch, the place where he was born and raised, for good. He claimed the briar patch brought him nothing but trouble, and this was the place he belonged away from.
Uncle Remus warned him that he can't run away from trouble and there ain't no place that far. Br'er Rabbit had made up his mind and wasn't ever coming back, stating he could take care of himself. Uncle Remus knew he was heading straight for a whole mess of brand new trouble.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Is that the same bird rabbit? Got away from the fox?
Speaker 1: Well,
Speaker 0: don't you know
Speaker 1: that ain't but one bird rabbit? Now you just set yourself down here and listen. With both ears wide open. Call this bear rabbit. He is the outdoors, the most bodacious critter in the whole world.
Speaker 2: Now this shit tale didn't happen just yesterday nor the day before.
Speaker 1: It was a long time ago, and in them days, everything was mighty satisfaction. The critters, they was closer to the folks, and the folks, they was closer to the critters. And if you'll excuse me for saying so, it was better alright. Yes, sir, honey. It happened on one of them zippity doo dah days.
Now, that's
Speaker 2: the kind of day when you can't open your mouth without a song jump right out of it. A dee dah. Zip a dee years. My, oh, my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine in my way.
Satisfactorily. Zip a dee do dog. Zip a dee a. Wonderful feeling. Wonderful way.
Yes, sir. Zip a dee do dog. Zip Why is that blue bird?
Speaker 0: Howdy, brother. Who do I call my name on? Hello, uncle Remus.
Speaker 2: It is to me that you was in a powerful bad mood to go to the party.
Speaker 0: I ain't going to no party because I ain't gonna be here. I'm gonna leave this old place.
Speaker 2: You mean you was leaving your old briar patch?
Speaker 0: That I is.
Speaker 2: The place where you was born and raised? That I is. You mean leaving for good?
Speaker 0: That I oh. Now see that? I don't brow patch ain't brought me nothing but trouble. Oh. And no trouble.
This where the trouble is, and this the place I belongs away from. Don't you
Speaker 2: know you can't run away from trouble?
Speaker 0: Well, I'm glad there ain't gonna be no trouble.
Speaker 2: There ain't no place that far.
Speaker 0: Well, just the same. I done made up my mind, and I ain't never coming back. Well, so long, Uncle Remo.
Speaker 2: Sure hope he knows what
Speaker 0: you do. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.
Speaker 2: He left his old troubles behind alright, but he was heading straight for a whole mess of brand
Speaker 1: new trouble.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
All of the info to nominate Song of the South in the National Film Registry is in the description of this video. https://rumble.com/v4q7fjc-walt-disneys-uncle-remus-foreword-1945.html
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
James Baskett also portrayed Brer Fox. Here's a clip with Brer Fox & Brer Bear (played by Nick Stewart) All of the animators said this was their favorite film to work on because of how strongly defined the character personalities are. Watch how Brer Fox & Brer Bear interact like a golden age comedy team. Brer Bear was ALWAYS one of the most popular Walt Disney characters well into the 1980's. This also demonstrates that what they build is a scarecrow type sticky trap, it has NOTHING to do with race. At the start of this clip is a scene between Uncle Remus & Brer Frog. The way they seamlessly interact making content is even better than shots in Roger Rabbit. This is all from Baskett's performance.
Video Transcript AI Summary
Br'er Fox is determined to catch Br'er Rabbit, who he believes is a source of trouble. He plans to trap Br'er Rabbit using a tar baby.
Br'er Fox gathers tar and other materials to create the tar baby's head, emphasizing the need for eyes and a nose. Another speaker expresses doubt about the plan. Br'er Fox adds hair to make it look more natural and considers adding a hat.
Just as Br'er Fox finishes preparing the tar baby, Br'er Rabbit comes down the road.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Dog gone, that rare rabbit is sure a caution. He sure is. You mark my words, but
Speaker 1: oh, thanks.
Speaker 0: That young scout was gonna put his foot in it one of these days.
Speaker 1: Course, I didn't know it at the time, but Brrr Rabbit was a hidden street for trouble. Because up on Chickapin Hill, at the edge of the big woods, old Brrr Fox was powerful curious about the whereabouts of blue rabbit.
Speaker 2: Here come. Here come. Here come. Right now. Let me see.
Rosa. Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. The head.
Gotta have a head. Gotta get a head right quick. Need about this much tarry. It's just about this much. I expect it's just about right for the head.
That biggity old rabbit won't get away this time. No, sir.
Speaker 0: Go and catch him sure. I'll catch him sure.
Speaker 3: That that that's what you said the last time before and the time before that. And look, let's just knock his head clean off.
Speaker 2: Oh, no. Indeed. Ain't nothing smart about that. I'm gonna show him who the smartest is, and the top baby will do the rest. It sure gonna fool him.
Yes,
Speaker 0: sir. It sure
Speaker 2: gonna fool him. It ain't gonna fool
Speaker 3: nobody. It ain't got no eyes.
Speaker 2: Eyes? Oh, yes. Indeed, eyes. I'm glad I thought of that. Let me see now.
Mhmm. Mhmm. Let me see. About just about this size. Now let me see.
Oh, yes. Nose too. Gotta have nose. Need one of those very, very badly. Gotta have a nose.
This is sure gonna do the trick. This looking more natural all the time. Even hair for me. You know what? The hair
Speaker 0: ain't got no hair. A
Speaker 2: hair? Now that won't be long any minute. Now any minute. Everything gotta be just right. Yes.
Indeed. Just right. Let me see. Now let me see. Maybe he ought to have hat.
Mhmm. Maybe he do need a hat. Now maybe if he had hat.
Speaker 3: He got one.
Speaker 2: What's that?
Speaker 1: Yes, sir. Old Brer Fox, he
Speaker 2: get the tall baby fixed up just in the nick of time. Because right then, Brer Rabbit come dancing down the road, liberty clipping, just as sassy as a jaybird.
@Real_Ed_McCray - Ed McCray
I meant to post this earlier today. This is a charming scene between James Baskett & Hattie McDaniel. Both are the first black people to receive Oscars. https://t.co/GCikpUesSf
Video Transcript AI Summary
Sooner or later, you're gonna be hanging around and want my cooking again. You're gonna knock on my door; you've done it before. I expected you exactly then.
You ain't gonna get it. You managed to come calling on bacon day and towed in three or four measly little pieces of firewood. Some folks does the work while others just visit, sitting around quittling and telling stories like Burr Fox and Burr Rabbit. Stick his nose in this hair picture, and we have Burr Rabbit stew. There never was a better cook in DJ parks than nowhere else. You ain't pulling no wool over my eyes.
Full Transcript
Speaker 0: Sooner or later, you're gonna be coming around. I betcha. I betcha that I catch you. You wait and see. Sooner or later, you're gonna be hanging around.
I betcha. I betcha if I catch up, you'll hear from me. You're gonna knock on my door. You've done it before. Matter of factly, I don't know exactly when.
But sooner or later, you're gonna be hanging around. And won't lie cooking again. You're gonna knock on my dough. You've done it before. Matter of fact, I expected you exactly then.
Because sooner or later, I know you'd be hanging around and want my cooking again, but you ain't gonna get it. All is managed to come calling on bacon day and toad in three or four measly little pieces of firewood. Some folks does the work while others just visit, sitting around quittling and telling stories like Burr Fox and Burr Rabbit, Stick his nose in this hair picture, and we have Burr Rabbit stew. Sister Tempe, I said it before, I said it now, and I said it again. There never was a better cook in DJ parks than nowhere else.
You ain't pulling no wool over my eyes. Yeah.