Jess Harnell Zoom Chat ‘Splash Mountain’ Tribute

This is Day 2 of 12 - of our "Song of the South" 75th Anniversary Tribute where we get a small glimpse into the career of Jess Harnell, the voice behind the beloved "Brer Rabbit" from the E-ticket attraction "Splash Mountain"
On November 12th(1946), the film "Song of the South" was released to the public by the Walt Disney company. The film has been controversial since its release and still is to this day. Although the film is set during the reconstruction era, it leaves many confused on the true time period. The NAACP stated that although the film is beautiful and holds history, it "regrets, however, that in an effort neither to offend audiences in the North or South, the production helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery". The film continued to be released in theaters until it was released on vhs in every country except for the United States because of our history. Nonetheless we have Splash Mountain, one of the most popular attractions in both Disneyland and Disney World.
Although the film is controversial it hold lots of historical significance. The Brer stories, including "The Tar Baby" and "The Laughin' Place", date back to the 1800s. African Americans told these stories as a comfort during slavery because the time period was so upsetting. A fellow from Sayville, NY, Robert Roosevelt published one of these stories for the first time. An aspiring writer, Joel Chandler Harris took this idea and went much further. He grew up on a plantation with former slaves who would tell him the same stories as a child. However , he was a white man publishing these stories. He respected all of the African Americans that were telling him these stories by not choosing one of them to create a character. He decided to instead create one character name... "Uncle Remus". He took these stories and published them for the world to see. Years later, Walt decided to create the film using a mostly African American cast and crew. James Baskett playing the memorable 'Uncle Remus'. It was the first time that black people played leading roles in a Disney film and one of the first for films in general. James Baskett won an Oscar from his performance two years later from Walt. Making him the first Black Man to win an Oscar. The song we all know, "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah", became a major hit and was covered by almost every black artist in the 60s-80s.
The point is that we don't doubt the film can be controversial at times. We do believe, however, that it's important we don't completely remove it from history. Here at the 'Brer Patch', we want to preserve the film as much as possible with the knowledge and pieces we have in hand. We understand that this film can create some discomfort but it was created to paint a picture of harmony and allow you for a second to imagine a world where the white man doesn't think any differently of the black man. It preserved history of African American culture without letting us think about the horrors of the time period. People of many races still work at the "Joel Chandler Harris Museum' in Georgia and believe the same. It is a Disney film so if they were all being racist to each other... would that influence children better?
Comment down below what you think. Let's be Respectful here.

[@HecklesTheClown]

brer rabbit and americas funniest home videos are my favorite roles from him

[@McBearNB]

Thanks for sharing the memories with Jess behind the Mountain attraction. And he also did Br'er Rabbit 10 years ago from Disneyland Adventures which is fun meeting the characters and mini gameplays.

[@Scooopity]

I wonder how he feels now after the news😅😢

[@EvansuperPowers]

This was amazing to be a part of

[@TheBrerPatch]

Glad I could take you along !

[@captaingoosesdisneyadventu4428]

1:07 I'm upset that they are changing it too

[@rudymalone1]

Yeah! We can't let Disney change Splash Mountain! We must sign the petition to keep Splash Mountain the way it is!😂 #VivalaSplashMountain!

[@eyezofblue1204]

By the way when I’m CEO of the Walt Disney Company, I am planning to bring back Splash Mountain!!! 😊

[@redzrobinz3135]

May I ask the name of that record you have? I'd love to hear those original splash recordings.

[@tigermoth00]

whats the name of the record you mentioned at the end of the video?

[@TheBrerPatch]

It’s a vinyl called “The official soundtrack of Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Many different ones were made, this is the only vinyl with splash mountain recordings on it.

[@tigermoth00]

@@TheBrerPatch cool, thanks

[@91JLovesDisney]

Is this you on a call?

[@TheBrerPatch]

Yes it is !

[@CrazyManhog]

I'm hoping Jess is coming back for the Tiana Ride
But the smile he gives I believe he will be returning after Animaniacs