In 1945, James Baskett – a self-taught actor from Indianapolis
– walked into a Disney audition hoping for a minor voice role. The moment Walt heard
him speak, everything changed. Disney gave James the starring role in Song of
the South, making him the first Black actor cast as the lead in a full-length Disney
film. Walt called him "the best actor to be discovered in years." James
brought Uncle Remus to life with warmth and intensity. The Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences presented James with an Honorary Academy Award,
making him the first Black man to receive an Oscar for acting. Four months
later, James Baskett passed away at age forty-four. Song of the South turns 80
this year; an excellent time for a commemorative home video or streaming event.
But Disney is so afraid we’ll judge an 80-year-old film by today’s standards,
they’d rather hide Baskett’s accomplishments than draw attention to a movie they’re
not proud of.





