Posted on 04/28/2008 12:50:53 PM PDT by freerepublic_or_die
Among the millions of clips on the video-sharing Web site YouTube are 11 racially offensive Warner Brothers cartoons that have not been shown in an authorized release since 1968.
Some of the cartoons were removed on April 16. A message saying the cartoons were no longer available because of a copyright claim by Warner appeared in their place. By evening the messages disappeared, and some of the cartoons were back. Representatives for YouTube and Warner would not confirm whether the companies had tried to remove the cartoons.
Ricardo Reyes, a YouTube spokesman, said YouTube relies on copyright holders to identify infringing content and on users to flag offensive content. If people do not complain, videos remain, he said. Mr. Reyes said that copyright violations are removed “very quickly” once identified, but the problem “is that ownership is often tough to determine.” He said many users “unknowingly post because they don’t know the law.”
A representative for Warner wrote in an e-mail message that “Warner Brothers has rights to the titles” in question and that “we vigorously protect all our copyrights. We do not make distinctions based on content.” The cartoons, known as the “Censored 11,” have been unavailable to the public for 40 years. Postings no longer appear if YouTube is searched for “Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarfs,” a parody of “Snow White” and the most famous of the cartoons. But a search for “Coal Black” does find the cartoon.
These cartoons were controversial when first released; the N.A.A.C.P. unsuccessfully protested “Coal Black” before it was shown in 1943. Richard McIntire, the director of communications for the N.A.A.C.P., wrote in an e-mail message that “the cartoons are despicable. We encourage the films’ owners to maintain them as they are — that is, locked away in their vaults.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
We must fight the forces of evil by outing all sorts of un-PC-like behavior as manifested by such vile entities as the Republicans,the US Government, the Bush Administration, and now the internet itself.
This reminds me. I have to find a collection of Warner Bros. originals on Ebay before the PC Police get to them also.
Can’t find a copy of Disney’s Song of the South anywhere either.
So, we should worry about the forces of evil preventing you from watching racist cartoons? I’m thinking I may have better things to do today.
Still one of my favorite Warner Brothers cartoon moments...
“...I forget to tell you. Slowpoke Rodriguez...he pack a gun.”
“Now he tells me!”
}:-)4
I have a bootleg of these cartoons. “Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarves” is a brilliant piece of work. Warner animators went into jazz clubs and studied the jive dancers, reproducing them beautifully. A shame that most people will ever see their work.
Coal Black is an interesting cartoon, simply for the people who did the voices. Coal Black is Vivien Dandridge, sister of Dorothy Dandridge. Mammy is Ruby Dandridge, Dorothy’s mother.
I’m thinking that the cartoon came out after World War 2 because in one part, a hitman was advertising his price range for killing people. At the bottom range, the flyer said, “Japs Free!” When you consider the time frame and feelings about Pearl Harbor, it’s pretty darn funny.
Anywhere is this country.
They sell it in other parts of the world. A friend of ours picked it up in Japan ~12 years ago and dubbed it for us.
I had heard Disney was considering re-releasing it in the States, but I doubt it will ever happen.
“I had heard Disney was considering re-releasing it in the States, but I doubt it will ever happen.”
Yeah, we’re too thin skinned here in the states for it. Sad, it’s a wonderful movie.
When I lived in England in 2000 I saw a video tape of it on the shelf at a video store and I rented it because I had never seen it.
They never released it in America but they did release the English version in Britain. I bought about 6 copies last year and gave them as gifts. Needless to say everyone was astounded and happy to get them.
See post 14 about Song of the South. Get a copy for yourself and one for your friends.
Ooo! Thanks for the link!
Song of the south DVD
http://www.songofthesouth4me.net/index.html
Your welcome! They were great quality also. I was worried I’d get ripped off but they gave me a pretty good deal because I bought so many.
You have a copy of a movie that originally aired in English, dubbed in Japanese, then re-dubbed back to English? That is hilarous. Reminds me of a Newsradio TV episode when the Jimmy James (station owner) character has his book translated into Japanese then back to English to increase sales.
I’m glad to hear it...they’re having a sale too. $12.50
Can’t wait to show my kids where the Zippity Do Dah song comes from that they hear when we’re at Disney World. lol
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