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It happened on one of them zip-a-dee-doo-dah days. Now that's the kind of day where you can't open your mouth without a song jumping right out of it! [starts singing immediately]
―Uncle Remus tells the first story to Johnny


Uncle Remus is the titular deuteragonist and narrator of African-American folktales. The stories were adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris. His first film appearance was in Disney's 1946 hit Song of the South in which he narrates the animated segments, telling the Br'er Rabbit stories.

Background[]

Personality[]

Uncle Remus is a kindly man who passes folktales along to the next generation of children. The stories he tells to the children usually center around Br'er Rabbit and his adventures at the Briar Patch often giving out morals what the story is all about (for example, the first Br'er Rabbit story he tells gives a moral that one cannot run away from trouble). In addition to telling stories, he also gives Johnny an advice to be responsible on taking care of Teenchy, Ginny's dog, from Jake and Joe Favers.

Additionally, when Uncle Remus encountered Sally, she felt upset with him, believing that his stories are giving Johnny a bad influence on her son, resulting Uncle Remus to leave for Atlanta via wagon. Later when Johnny came to stop him from leaving, Uncle Remus noticed him after being attacked by a bull in a patch of grass. Furthermore, when Uncle Remus approaches Johnny and tells him a story of Br'er Rabbit and the Laughing Place, Johnny suddenly regained his consciousness and survived, which Johnny's parents Sally and John feel inspired by Uncle Remus' stories of Br'er Rabbit. At the end of the film when Johnny, Ginny, and Toby stroll across the countryside, they approach Uncle Remus happily seeing Johnny and his friends singing a finale reprise of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" altogether.

Appearances[]

Song of the South[]

Uncle Remus is first seen telling a story of Br'er Rabbit to Toby's family which Toby compliments on his stories while Johnny tries to get his attention. Suddenly, he meets the protagonist Johnny after the child decides to run away from home, which he decides to take him to his shack to cheer him up. Later, Uncle Remus discusses with Johnny who is attempting to leave home as Johnny tells him that he will never come back, only for Uncle Remus to deny, saying that he is laughing which reminds him of the story of Br'er Rabbit, just as he decides to cheer him up with a story about Br'er Rabbit which reminds Johnny of the story of Br'er Rabbit who got away from Br'er Fox. As he tells a story about Br'er Rabbit, Uncle Remus sings the musical number "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" walking across an animated landscape and happily singing. As he sings, he encounters Mr. Bluebird and as he continues singing, Mr. Bluebird introduces Uncle Remus to the three Sis Moles and three hummingbirds who happily approach Uncle Remus and later many bees who happily buzz along to the music. However, the song interrupts when he finds Br'er Rabbit attempting to leave the Briar Patch, upset that the Briar Patch led him to nothing but trouble, which Uncle Remus warns him that he should avoid running away from trouble which Br'er Rabbit decides to leave the Briar Patch only for him to find trouble. Uncle Remus (offscreen) continues telling the story of Br'er Rabbit to Johnny. After telling Johnny a tale of Br'er Rabbit running away from his home, he tells Johnny a moral from the story, telling Johnny what he did earlier that he cannot run away from trouble. Johnny felt satisfied of the story he told to him, which helped change his mind on the matter and Uncle Remus returns him to the plantation.

The next day, Johnny approaches Uncle Remus singing "Who Wants to Live Like That?" where he sees Johnny who is asking him to take care of Teenchy, which Uncle Remus tells him to return Teenchy to the Favers family's home, much to Johnny trying to clarify that Teenchy who lives here is the one being harassed by Jake and Joe Favers, just as Uncle Remus understands what Johnny is really saying, planning to teach the Favers brothers a lesson on not harassing the dog. Just as Uncle Remus approaches them with Johnny following him alongside, he furiously scolds them for harassing Teenchy, telling them that they will face the consequences the more they harass their dog. Afterwards, Uncle Remus then takes Johnny and Toby into his shack after the situation he had earlier reminded him of a story of Br'er Rabbit who found trouble as he tells a story to them. In the second story, Uncle Remus narrates that he was going fishing where anyone nearby will happily greet him. A group of butterflies then happily greet Uncle Remus as they happily greet him, as they say "Good morning" to him while the musical number "How Do You Do?" begins while Br'er Rabbit happily approaches him. Uncle Remus tells him to save his energy, especially when he keeps jumping. Suddenly, a mother possum and her three joeys hanging on their mother's tail pass by Uncle Remus and Br'er Rabbit just as the possums happily greet the two. As Uncle Remus asks what Br'er Rabbit does all the time, he shares his interest of what he does just before he encounters Br'er Frog. Uncle Remus then passes by Br'er Frog who fears that Br'er Rabbit will be facing trouble - especially Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. Afterwards, Uncle Remus (offscreen) tells the story of the Tar Baby.

Later, Uncle Remus passes by Aunt Tempy who is about to give her firewood for her stove and as Uncle Remus sits, Aunt Tempy serves him a piece of pie while Uncle Remus hears Joe and Jake discussing with each other and as Uncle Remus faces them, he tells the two to stop pestering Teenchy once again, telling them to go home and as they discuss about Mrs. Sally, Johnny's mother, she approaches the two where they are at just as she approaches Uncle Remus. As the two bond with stories of Br'er Rabbit, Johnny’s mother becomes concerned that the stories are becoming a bad influence on Johnny. Later when Johnny approaches Remus sulking, he discusses with him to know where Teenchy is at which he thinks he is at the Favers' house. Remus feels upset of his irresponsibility in taking care of Teenchy, telling him that he will never tell him anymore stories.

Later, when approaching Jake and Joe who are attacking Johnny, Remus saves Johnny from being attacked, and warns Joe and Jake to keep away from Johnny and Ginny. Later, Johnny approaches Ginny who is crying after her dress was dirty after Jake pushed him into the mud to which to cheer her up, Johnny tells the story of Br'er Rabbit and as the plan cheer her up fails, Uncle Remus leads Ginny to find Aunt Tempy to clean her up. Johnny tells Uncle Remus to take care of the trouble he is facing, which reminds him of a story about Br'er Rabbit and the Laughing Place just as he tells Johnny a tale of Br'er Rabbit and the Laughing Place, Johnny and Ginny both laugh together that they like the story. Afterwards, Johnny takes Ginny to find the laughing place like they saw in the story. However, Sally approaches her son, telling him that the party is over. As Ginny tells her about Uncle Remus, Sally approaches Remus and asks him to not spend any more time with him. Saddened by the misunderstanding of his good intentions, he decides to leave for Atlanta. But after Johnny got attacked by a bull, Remus returns to the plantation at Johnny's request and tells him the tale of Br'er Rabbit and the Laughing Place. Johnny pulls through and regains his consciousness, making Remus happy once again.

At the end of the film, Uncle Remus walks down a road with Johnny, his friends, and characters from his own stories in an animated variation of a sunset.

Other appearances[]

Disney Parks[]

Fantasy on Parade[]

During the 1980 edition of Disneyland's Fantasy on Parade, a walkaround version of Uncle Remus was present during the Christmas variation of the parade where he's seen sitting on a wagon next to a puppet Br'er Rabbit while singing.

Splash Mountain[]

Although Uncle Remus is not seen in Splash Mountain, the famous lines he says when telling his stories appear on the walls in the queue and exit areas. Additionally, Br'er Frog substitutes for the role of Uncle Remus, as seen at the very beginning of the ride as he proceeds to spin a Br'er Rabbit yarn.

Remus Washboard Co.

Uncle Remus himself was referenced in the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction where one of the PhotoPass washboards was labelled as coming from the, "Remus Washboard Co." with the slogan, "Actual and Satisfactual". Another labelled, "Baskett McDaniels" referenced his actor James Baskett.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • James Baskett, the actor who portrayed Uncle Remus, was given an honorary Oscar in 1948 for the portrayal of the character in Song of the South. He became the second African-American to ever win an Academy Award, the other being Hattie McDaniel for her supporting role in Gone with the Wind who, funny enough, starred in Song of the South and is seen onscreen with him. Sadly, 44-year-old James Baskett died four months later from a heart attack, brought on by diabetes.
  • In the Italian dub, Uncle Remus was renamed "Zio Tom", whose literal translation is "Uncle Tom", because the character of Uncle Tom is more well-known in Italy. It is ironic, as Song of the South is often considered by some to be a revisionist film.
v - e - d
Song of the South Logo
Media
Films and Television: Song of the South (soundtrack) • One Hour in WonderlandThe Walt Disney Christmas ShowHouse of Mouse

Video Games: Mickey's Great Adventure in Tokyo DisneylandWalt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing TourVirtual Magic KingdomKinect: Disneyland AdventuresEpic Mickey 2: The Power of TwoDisneyland ExplorerDisney Infinity: 3.0 EditionDisney Tsum TsumDisney Magic KingdomsPlay Disney Parks App
Books: The Wonderful Tar BabyBrer Rabbit Rides the FoxBrer Fox and the Rabbit TrapBrer Rabbit's Laughing PlaceBrer Rabbit Painting Book

Disney Parks
Mickey Mouse RevueSplash MountainBeaver Brothers Explorer Canoes

Entertainment: Mickey's Gift of DreamsOnce Upon a Mouse
Parades: Disney's Dreams On Parade: Moving OnDisney's Party ExpressJubilation!
Fireworks: Fantasy in the SkyRemember... Dreams Come TrueWorld of Color: Celebrate!
Spring: Disney's Easter WonderlandHippity Hoppity SpringtimeUsatama on the Run!
Restaurants: Grandma Sara's KitchenRackety's Raccoon SaloonBrer BarThe Snackin' Place
Shops: The Briar PatchProfessor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Art StudioSplashdown PhotosHoot & Holler Hideout

Characters
Song of the South: Br'er RabbitBr'er FoxBr'er BearMr. BluebirdUncle RemusJohnnyGinny FaversTobySallyGrandmother DoshyAunt TempyJohnMrs. FaversMr. FaversChloePearlNedJake and Joe FaversBullTeenchyBr'er TerrapinMiss PossumSis MolesHummingbird TrioBr'er FrogThe BeesButterfliesBr'er RaccoonSkunkySis PorcupinesThe Fishes

Splash Mountain: Professor Barnaby OwlBoothill BoysSwamp BoysBr'er GooseBr'er GatorBr'er PorcupineBr'er DogBr'er RoadrunnerSinging GeeseSinging BullfrogsBr'er WormThe DonkeyFarming RabbitsPansy, Poppy, and PetuniaHitchhiking AlligatorHitchhiking Turtle and TurkeyBetsySis VixenSinging StorksColonel HoundstootheBlossom-Nose MurphyBr'er ChickenSaddlesore SwansonLaughing TurtlesLittle WeaselsPlaintive PossumMother RabbitBatsCapt. AndyRiver Belle ChorusGeese Can-Can DancersTex RangerBelleBig DaddyCollegiate QuartetBr'er TurkeyBass FrogThe OwlBr'er OwlBeaver BrothersPhineas FireflyRackety RaccoonGrandma SaraZachariah MuskratJasper P. WoodchuckSis RaccoonBr'er BeaverRufus the BearOl' Gray MarePig WaiterBr'er GoatForlorn FoxProspectorHound DogCatfishesSis Frogs • Annie Gator • Ol' Ben
Books: Molly CottontailMrs. BearBr'er PossumBr'er WolfBr'er WeaselBr'er BuzzardMammy BammyKing LionAnnie and Fannie CottontailKubs and KlibsJunior BearBr'er StorkBr'er CrowBr'er SparrowGranny FoxMr. SheriffMr. DogKarel KatJudge OwlMiss GooseKojinan StadKarlSis CowBr'er Bull
Video Games: Shielded FrogDragonfliesAlligatorsVultures
Cameos and Crossover characters: Five Bear RugsSammy the RaccoonThe Big Bad WolfLi'l Bad WolfThe Three Little Pigs
Others: King Sun

Organizations
Rabbit TalesMuskrat Moonshine • Finest King Carrots • Mugg & Bean Coffee • Moving & Storage Company • Hercules Oats • Quilted Northern • Dry Goods • Provisions • Chattanooga Plow Comp. • Critter Elixir
Songs
Song of the SouthThat's What Uncle Remus SaidZip-a-Dee-Doo-DahWho Wants to Live Like That?Let the Rain Pour DownHow Do You Do?Sooner or LaterEverybody's Got a Laughing PlaceAll I WantBurrow's Lament
Locations
GeorgiaBriar PatchChick-A-Pin HillThe Corn FieldThe Fishin' PlaceOld Mill PondThe Old Swimmin' HoleRainbow PondsRainbow HollowThe BurrowsCavernsDoo Dah LandingCritter CaveSlippin' FallsThe BarnBr'er Bear's caveCatfish BendBr'er Terrapin's HomeBr'er Goose's HomeBr'er Gator's HomeFowler's CellarCritter CountryRufus' CaveBoat Rental • General Store • Dark Room • Pumpkin Patch • Turtle Ranch • Porcu Pines • Camp Alligator
Boats
Zip-A-Dee Lady
See Also
Disney Sing Along Songs: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-DahTar BabyThe Laughing Place
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