Disney's Most Notorious Film: Race, Convergence, and the Hidden Histories of Song of the South
Disney's Most Notorious Film: Race, Convergence, and the Hidden Histories of Song of the South
Sperb, Jason
product information
Condition: New, UPC: 9780292756779, Publication Date: Fri, November 1, 2013, Type: Paperback ,
join & start selling
description
1The Walt Disney Company offers a vast universe of movies, television shows, theme parks, and merchandise, all carefully crafted to present an image of wholesome family entertainment. Yet Disney also produced one of the most infamous Hollywood films, Song of the South. Using cartoon characters and live actors to retell the stories of Joel Chandler Harris, SotS portrays a kindly black Uncle Remus who tells tales of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and the "Tar Baby" to adoring white children. Audiences and critics alike found its depiction of African Americans condescending and outdated when the film opened in 1946, but it grew in popularity-and controversy-with subsequent releases. Although Disney has withheld the film from American audiences since the late 1980s, SotS has an enthusiastic fan following, and pieces of the film-such as the Oscar-winning "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"-remain throughout Disney's media universe. Disney's Most Notorious Film examines the racial and convergence histories of Song of the South to offer new insights into how audiences and Disney have negotiated the film's controversies over the last seven decades. Jason Sperb skillfully traces the film's reception history, showing how audience perceptions of SotS have reflected debates over race in the larger society. He also explores why and how Disney, while embargoing the film as a whole, has repurposed and repackaged elements of SotS so extensively that they linger throughout American culture, serving as everything from cultural metaphors to consumer products.
reviews

Be the first to write a review

member goods

No member items were found under this heading.

notems store

Thru the Bible Vol. 11: ...

by McGee, J. Vernon

Paperback /Paperback

$6.74

It Was Vulgar and It ...

by Lowery, Jack

Hardcover /Hardcover

$26.25

listens & views

JAZZ REUNION (ASIA)

by RUSSELL,PEE WEE / HAWKINS,COLEMAN

COMPACT DISC

out of stock

$10.99

TAHT'S FUNKY (JPN)

by BENNY GOLSON FUNKY QUINTET

COMPACT DISC

out of stock

$16.99

EERO JOHANNES

by JOHANNES,EERO

COMPACT DISC

out of stock

$14.99

Return Policy

All sales are final

Shipping

No special shipping considerations available.
Shipping fees determined at checkout.