Old News: James Baskett makes history amid controversy

Driving the (old) news: Baskett, born in February 1904, decided to become an actor after financial hardships deferred his dream of studying pharmacology.

• After achieving success on Broadway and radio, Baskett was cast to play live-action lead Uncle Remus and voice Br'er Rabbit in the 1946 film "Song of the South."

Zoom in: Baskett was barred from attending the premiere at Atlanta's Fox Theatre because of Jim Crow laws, and civil rights organizations boycotted its release for its inclusion of harmful Black stereotypes and presenting a romanticized version of plantation life in the post-Civil War South.

Between the lines: Though his work was praised by the film industry, Baskett was not nominated for an Oscar.

• Walt Disney, columnist Hedda Hopper and others lobbied for his work to be recognized and the academy acquiesced, presenting Baskett with an honorary Academy Award during the 1948 ceremony.
• "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," the song he performs in the film, also won an Oscar for Best Original Song.

• He died of heart failure four months later, making "Song of the South" Baskett's final performance.

The latest: Disney has distanced itself from "Song of the South" over the years. The film was never officially released on any home video format in the U.S., and the Splash Mountain attraction connected to it was replaced by Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Disney World in 2023.

• Splash Mountain continues to operate at Tokyo Disney Resort.
• Indy residents can view Baskett's grave at Crown Hill Cemetery.