Animation Artifacts &Books &Disney &Story & Storyboards 06 Jan 2009 08:54 am
Song of the South
John Canemaker‘s beautiful book, Treasures of Disney Animation Art, is chock-a-block full of stunning artwork and examples of preproduction work for the Disney features. Every one of them worth studying.
Song of the South is represented by a large selection of art direction sketches and storyboard artwork. All of it beautiful. I’m lifiting these images to showcase some of the great work for this feature. It deserves more attention from the Disney archives, but since they just about disown the film, I’m thankful for these images selected by John.
(Click any image to enlarge.)
John leaves the artwork as uncredited but they remind me of Art Riley or
Al Dempster‘s style. They could be images from a Little Golden Book, and
Dempster & Bill Justice did books associated with that film.
I suppose they’re actually the work of a number of different people.
And here’s the board segment:
Gorgeous art by Bill Peet.
on 06 Jan 2009 at 11:19 am 1.Steisha Pintado said …
It is a shame that they disown this film. I’ve had the chance to watch it only twice. It was so imaginative. I wish they would do something about lifting that ban.
on 06 Jan 2009 at 12:07 pm 2.Tim Hodge said …
The ban is self imposed. Disney knows that they will offend a large segment of the population. However, those concerns don’t run quite as deep overseas, where the film is available.
on 06 Jan 2009 at 12:53 pm 3.Bill Perkins said …
“Song of the South” had a theatrical release in the early 80′s and I caught one evening. Its a TERRIFIC film – one of Disneys best in my opinion. Wonderful animation and the seque from live action to animation is really marvelous. To bad about the ban.
on 06 Jan 2009 at 5:39 pm 4.Eddie Fitzgerald said …
Great post! Beautiful artwork! I don’t see why Disney can’t release this film with a simple disclaimer.
on 07 Jan 2009 at 9:04 am 5.Jason said …
I heard the special meeting today of Republican National Committee will open with a screening of the film. It would be suicide for Disney to release it.
DVD copies can be found from a laser disc version on Ebay.
on 07 Jan 2009 at 12:21 pm 6.Ian Lumsden said …
Fresh, gorgeous artwork that fairly glistens. Uncle Remus standing amidst the daisies is particularly fine. For reasons of sensitivity the movie would not now be screened here in the UK. All the more reason for me to buy John’s book. I remember the original book by Joel Chandler Harris as a boy.
on 09 Jan 2009 at 9:32 am 7.loreleip said …
I’m so frequently amazed at the high quality and selection of images that you post, Michael. I know how much time it takes, and I really appreciate it. This topic of “censored animation” is of particular interest to me, and you’ve regularly brought attention to where it is due.
on 09 Jan 2009 at 4:59 pm 8.billburgNYC said …
The second art direction watercolor sketch above is on page 29 of John Canemaker’s Mary Blair book.
Thanks for posting this great work, Michael.
on 05 Jul 2010 at 8:55 pm 9.sarah smith said …
I love song of the south, I love brer rabbit I can believe it. I loooooove it!