More surprising was the announcement by the company that the Disney+ release of the 1941 animated feature Dumbo would also be affected, with a key sequence excised from the online edition of the movie. Any sort of limited release, either online or on physical media, accompanied by an introduction providing cultural and historical context, would be preferable to the current embargo. Indeed its star James Baskett was the first-ever male African-American actor to win an Academy Award (Hattie McDaniel was the first woman, for Gone With the Wind in 1939).
The erasure of the evidence of racism does not prevent racism, and within a historical context Song of the South is a milestone of both American animation and the representation of African Americans in cinema. This decision is predictable but unfortunate. Disney stopped distributing the film on home media in the early 1990s and has not since re-released it on any format. Directed by Wilfred Jackson, this live-action/animated blend generated controversy on its release for its depiction of African-American history and culture, including stereotypical and racist portrayals of black people in 19th century America and its unclear historical setting that implied black slaves may have been satisfied with their lot at the time. One Disney production that will remain resolutely out of public view, however, is the studio’s notorious 1946 Song of the South. The new service will offer viewers a one-stop shop for the company’s long history of film and television productions, as well as those of companies now purchased or absorbed by the entertainment giant in recent years including those of the Muppets, the Pixar Animation Studio, Lucasfilm Ltd, 20th Century Fox, and Marvel Studios. On 12 November 2019, Walt Disney will launch its online streaming service Disney+ in the USA, with other markets scheduled to follow soon afterwards.