Song Of The South Character Analysis: Song Of The South

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If you have children in tow, and are looking for a family-fun, delightful movie to watch, “Song of the South” is worth a viewing. Or perhaps you are a fan of the Uncle Remus tales you have read when you were little, then “Song of the South” will certainly give some justice to those fun tales.
Song of the South” begins with a white seven year-old boy named Johnny (Bobby Driscoll) travelling to his grandmother, Miss Doshy’s (Lucile Watson) plantation in Georgia, with his parents, John (Eric Rolf) and Sally (Ruth Warrick). Upon arriving at the plantation, Johnny is hit with the news that his father has to return to Atlanta for his job, while he is to live in the plantation with his mother and grandmother. Heartbroken at the separation from his father and determined, Johnny packs a small sack and tries to return to Atlanta on his own. In the middle of sneaking away from the plantation, he is distracted and lured by the sight of a bunch of people surrounding a campfire, aptly listening to a man telling stories. This is when he first meets Uncle Remus (James Baskett). Uncle Remus later befriends Johnny and subtly dissuades him from running away by regaling one of his many tales of Brer Rabbit, a tale about Rabbit’s attempt to leave home and how that turned out. As Johnny spends more time with Uncle Remus, Johnny also befriends Toby (Glenn Leedy), a little black boy. Later on, among Johnny’s other problems, like being bullied by two of his white neighbors, Joe (Gene Holland) and Jake Favers (Georgie Nokes), Uncle Remus provides consolation through more tales of Brer Rabbit, advising Johnny of certain life-lessons. All the while, a sweet friendship develops between Johnny and Ginny Favers (Luana Patten), Joe and Jake’s little sister...

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...s and the white characters are falsely depicted because they appear too comfortable with each other. However, no matter how out of the norm the relaxed and respectful relationship between the masters and the former slaves were, that doesn't mean it didn't exist. Nevertheless, viewers will see that “Song of the South” is a heart-warming film that unites both races while also emphasizing the importance of parent-presence, and the love that comes from it, in a little boy’s life.
For those who have read the tales, the experience of watching this movie is more enriched. However, no matter if you have read the tales or not (although it is recommended to read them before watching it), the movie is worthy of a viewing. “Song of the South” isn’t exactly a must-see film, rather more of a film that you can do without seeing, but if you see it, you will be glad you did so.

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