I'm glad you got to watch this. The "comic relief" offered by Birmingham
and Tommy are great fun to me. The Charlie Chan character has many, many
children. The sons all seem to want to either help or outperform their
father...they obviously have a great deal to learn. The Chan children are
also used to juxtapose the old traditional ways to the new. For example,
they call their father "Pop." Watch a few more...they may grow on you!
TG
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Kim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Tawana Gormley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
<[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 12:42 AM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Song of the South
To help answer Tawana's question as to whether Charlie Chan films are
offensive to Asians, I just rented the Scarlet Clue starring Sidney
Toler. This is my first Charlie Chan film, so my opinion at this point is
based on the one film.
I see nothing offensive about the Charlie Chan character, but there's
something distasteful about his bumbling sidekicks: his son Tommy and his
black assistant Birmingham. These two characters are buffoons, not unlike
the Dead End Kids, but I think it's offensive in this case, because all
the
white actors in this film are pretty much playing it straight. There isn't
a
single black character in this film who's meant to be taken seriously. Do
any of the Charlie Chan films have a black character who is not
ridiculous?
Despite the questionable stereotypes, I realize that this film is 60 years
old, and I think people should continue to watch it and enjoy it.
-rk
From: Tawana Gormley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Tawana Gormley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2006 04:16:13 -0400
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Song of the South
Thanks, Roger. I agree with you about the release of that movie. It's
nice
to know how you feel about the Mr. Wong character. If you get a chance
to
view the Charlie Chan series (my favorite is Sidney Toler as Charlie
Chan)
please let me know what you think!
TGormley
----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Kim" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Song of the South
If I'm not mistaken, "Song of the South" takes place in post-slavery
America. While it would still be controversial, I think Disney could
re-release it in one of those limited-edition DVD tins with a forward by
Leonard Maltin, reminding us that the film was made 60 years ago. I
think
it
would be wrong to leave that film sitting in the vaults forever.
As for the question on whether Charlie Chan is offensive to Asians, I'm
afraid I haven't seen those films. I have, however, seen Karloff's Mr.
Wong
films, and those don't offend me at all.
-rk
From: David Kusumoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: David Kusumoto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2006 02:55:18 -0700
To: [email protected]
Subject: [MOPO] Song of the South
** One last thing -- I believe Walt Disney's "Song of the South," a
late
1940s "fanciful distillation of live-action and animation based on the
tales
of Uncle Remus" -- will NEVER be released in mass market form. The
film
that brought us the song, "Zip-De-Dee-Do-Dah" -- was last available on
VHS
overseas in the 1990s. No more. Ask yourself whether today's black
community would accept the notion -- as presented as filmed
entertainment --
that slavery was all fun and games and some plantations had a wise old
slave
somwhere imparting wisdom to kids. Despite the positive wisdom and
goodness
represented by "Uncle Remus," some believe it's better to regard "Song
of
the South" as an historical document of attitudes, and not
entertainment
to
be sold for profit today.
** I'd like to see it released and I can safely say I would regard it
entertaining without falling for the things others would perhaps
rightly
find offensive about it today. Even in "Gone With the Wind," people
still
rail about its depiction of slaves, and of course, Butterfly McQueen
was
quoted as hating the role. I think intelligent people can accept the
film
on its terms based on the attitudes of America or Hollywood in 1939.
You
just couldn't make a film like this or release "Song of the South"
today
without pissing somebody off.
-koose.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
