Brer Rabbit


Most of us know Brer Rabbit (Brer means "brother") from the Disney movie "Song of the South", originally released on November 12, 1946 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Its last release was in 1986.  Because the movie is set in a plantation after the Civil War where many freed slaves were still in a master-servant relationship, some see in it elements of racism, so Disney has never released this wonderful film on VHS or DVD in America.  "Song of the South" has been released almost everywhere else.  It is available from Amazon.com starting at $49.95.

"Song of the South" was Disney's first action film, which included three animated segments featuring that rambunctious Brer Rabbit.  If you can watch these without a smile coming on your face, then you must be out of sorts. 

The first amimation is about 8 minutes long, "Brer Rabbit Runs Away", where Brer Rabbit leaves home, against Uncle Remus' advice (the older former slave who tells these Brer Rabbit stories to the plantation children as a way to instruct them in making right decisions in life), and runs into trouble with Brer Fox  (this segment includes the Oscar-winning song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah") Brer Rabbit Runs Away. 

The second animation is about 12 minutes long, the famous "Tar Baby", where Brer Rabbit tricks Brer Fox and Brer Bear into throwing him into the briar patch (this segment includes the song "How Do You Do") Tar Baby. 

The third animation is about 5 minutes long, "Brer Rabbit's Laughing Place", where Brer Rabbit again tricks Brer Fox and Brer Bear (the song "Everybody's Got a Laughing Place" is featured) Brer Rabbit's Laughing Place.

"Song of the South" launched Brer Rabbit into national prominance.  He had his own comic book, and he continues to make appearances in Disney cartoons.  For instance, Brer Rabbit makes a cameo appearance in the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".  The food company, B&G has been producing Brer Rabbit Molasses since the 1950's.  The log ride at Disney World, Splash Mountain, is themed after Brer Rabbit's stories in "Song of the South".

Brer Rabbit stories go further back in history than Disney's "Song of the South".  President Theordore Roosevelt (1858-1919) wrote in his autobiography that he was raised on Brer Rabbit stories as told him by his Aunt Anna.  In fact, it was the President's uncle, Robert Roosevelt, who first wrote down the Brer Rabbit stories which were published in "Harper's Weekly".  It was several years later that Joel Chandler Harris wrote his version of the Brer Rabbit stories in his book Uncle Remus: His Songs & His Sayings published in 1881.  Harris became a good friend of President Roosevelt who compared Harris writing ability to that of Mark Twain.  Disney bought the rights to Harris' Brer Rabbit stories from his family.

Brer Rabbit stories can even be traced back to Africa.  This is why they were so popular with the slaves on the southern plantations.  Brer Rabbit stories were a way the slaves could vent about the hardship of their situation because Brer Rabbit was always outwitting his captors.   He not only got the better of those bigger than himself, but he also would make fun of them.  Telling Brer Rabbit stories was a way for slaves to be subversive without getting into trouble with their master.  Brer Rabbit inspired hope in them that someday they too would overcome their circumstances.

The Chrokee Indians were also a source for Brer Rabbit stories.  In fact, the "Tar Baby" story was printed in the "Cherokee Advocate" in 1845.  This was three years before Joel Chandler Harris was even born.  So we can see, the loveable, trickster Bre Rabbit is definintely a genuine piece of Americana.  Brer Rabbit stories abound.  You can read a collection of them at American Folklore .

Whenever life gets you down, remember Brer Rabbit's advice - go to your laughing place.