Ed McCray

If you enjoy the things I've been posting about, I have a Give/Send/Go up for a series of video essays I've been putting together.I show hard evidence of what I talk about & it's to help cover acquiring vintage print/audio media I include. givesendgo.com/RediscoveringW…

Here's the story of the crows in Dumbo and their ties to Pinocchio and Song of the South.

From a 1956 issue of Walt Disney Magazine. The full episode of this with commercials and all is on the Rumble page.

Even this ties into Song of the South history. James Baskett was signed to portray "de Lawd" in a Broadway revival of this (at the time) beloved Broadway show. Unfortunately he passed away before that happened. This was such a well known property that for decades it was portrayed…

Cliff Edwards was both Jiminy Cricket and Jim Crow. He was known as Ukulele Ike and was mixed race. (Yep, Jiminy Cricket is black) Ward Kimball named the lead crow Jim sticking it to racists, not celebrating them. He referenced real black performers to animate their moves.

Here's a bit of trivia. Specs the Crow is voiced by Nick Stewart. Fats the Crow is voiced by James Baskett. They went on to be Brer Bear and Uncle Remus in Song of the South. Stewart said "Walt Disney treated us like kings!" The Woke purge these characters too.

Here's Johnny Lee and Roy Glenn. They were Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Frog. Nick Stewart was Br'er Bear (Both in the film &Splash Mountain.)James Baskett was Uncle Remus AND Br'er Fox. He also filled in for 1 cartoon segment as Br'er Rabbit. @PatUnleashed @KeithMalinak @AtTheMicShow

Hall Johnson was the Preacher Crow in Dumbo and was the leading authority on Negro Spiritual music.He kept this musical tradition alive and always refused to work on racist projects.Walt hired him to orchestrate the Negro Spirituals in Song of the South. His choir performed them.

Some of the art from the Uncle Remus book. I like seeing Br'er Bear had a family and becomes friends with Br'er Rabbit. That was implied in a cut shot in the Laughing Place sequence in the film. That Br'er Turtle design was later used in The Rescuers 30 years later.

Learn why the left/woke doesn't want you to read Uncle Tom's Cabin. (Tom was a Christian pastor trying to lead his former master to Christ. he wasn't a race sellout at the left claims.) youtube.com/watch?v=hVOAoP…

Just look at how fun and appealing Ward Kimball's animation is on the crows in Dumbo.I have some of the live action reference.I'll need to post it.The title is based on a popular expression in the early 20th century.And remember Jim Crow is Jiminy Cricket youtube.com/watch?v=_v2exW…

Here's an entire playlist of Song of the South history videos. Many of these, like the excerpts of the animators, aren't in the searchable archive. rumble.com/playlists/QbWP…

Whenever I post this video people are amazed by the dance moves of the Jackson Bros and how they were translated into the crows from Dumbo.

Actor Roy Glenn played Brer Frog in Song of the South. He may be best known for appearing in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Many,including myself, regard this shot where James Baskett lights Brer Frogs pipe to be the best blending of live action and animation ever accomplished.

More purged Walt Disney history...

Character actor Johnny Lee was Brer Rabbit for 2 of the 3 segments (James Baskett filled in on the 3rd) He reprised the role one last time on a 1950's LP with Nick Stewart returning as Brer Bear.(Baskett had died so another actor played Brer Fox)

Song of the South is why Walt Disney became known as "Uncle Walt." He was positioned as an Uncle Remus figure of the 20th century. Now you know where the name came from.

Splash Mountain was the Disney Parks ride based on SOTS. Nick Stewart returned to play Brer Bear.This is some of the 30th Anniversary merchandise. In June 2020(less than a year later)it was announced the ride would close and all references to SOTS would be purged by Woke Disney.

Jan 10, 1948 article about a lawsuit against Walt Disney over ownership rights for the songs from Song of the South.

Someone needs to photoshop this looking at the Tiana ride with some Keep Out and No Trespassing signs on the fence. I'm not skilled enough for that.

In honor of the Naked Gun reboot we present this historic clip. It has not aged well....