Editing Song of the South (section)

=== Casting ===
In February 1941, Disney talked with [[Paul Robeson]] about him playing Uncle Remus, and the two remained in talks about the project for several years, but ultimately he was not cast. It is speculated that Robeson's politics made him too controversial for the role. Other actors considered included Rex Ingram.{{sfn|Korkis|2012|pp=21–6}} [[Clarence Muse]] lobbied for the role of Uncle Remus while consulting on the screenplay, but left the project due to Dalton Reymond's depiction of African-Americans in the original treatment.{{sfn|Korkis|2012|pp=67–74}}

[[James Baskett]] was cast as Uncle Remus after responding to an ad for providing the voice of a talking butterfly. Baskett is quoted as saying; "I thought that, maybe, they'd try me out to furnish the voice for one of Uncle Remus's animals." Upon review of his voice, Disney wanted to meet Baskett personally, and had him tested for the role of Uncle Remus. In addition to the role of Uncle Remus, Baskett also received the voice roles of the butterfly and Br'er Fox.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/biographies/baskett.html|title=James Baskett as Uncle Remus|publisher=Song of the South.net|access-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref> Baskett also filled in as the voice of [[Br'er Rabbit]] for [[Johnny Lee (actor)|Johnny Lee]] in the "Laughing Place" sequence after Lee was called away to do a [[United Service Organizations|USO]] tour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/90871/song-of-the-south/#notes|title=Song of the South (1946) - Turner Classic Movies|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=February 1, 2023}}</ref> Disney told Baskett's sister Ruth that Baskett was "the best actor, I believe, to be discovered in years". After the film's release, Disney maintained contact with him. Disney also campaigned for Baskett to be given an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] for his performance, saying that he had worked "almost wholly without direction" and had devised the characterization of Remus himself. Baskett won an honorary Oscar in 1948.{{sfn|Gabler|2006|p=438}} After Baskett's death, his widow wrote Disney and told him that he had been a "friend indeed and [we] certainly have been in need".{{sfn|Gabler|2006|pp=438–9}}

Also cast in the production were child actors [[Bobby Driscoll]], [[Luana Patten]], and Glenn Leedy (his only credited screen appearance). Driscoll was the first actor to be under a personal contract with the Disney studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/biographies/driscoll.html|title=Bobby Driscoll as Johnny|publisher=Song of the South.net|access-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref> Patten had been a professional model since age three, and caught the attention of Disney when she appeared on the cover of ''[[Woman's Home Companion]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/biographies/patten.html|title=Luana Patten as Ginny Favers|publisher=Song of the South.net|access-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref> Leedy was discovered on the playground of the [[Booker T. Washington]] school in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], by a talent scout from the Disney studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/biographies/leedy.html|title=Glenn Leedy as Toby|website=Song of the South.net|access-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref> [[Ruth Warrick]] and Erik Rolf, cast as Johnny's mother and father, had actually been married during filming, but divorced in 1946.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/biographies/warrick.html|title=Ruth Warrick as Sally|publisher=Song of the South.net|access-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/biographies/rolf.html|title=Eric Rolf as John|publisher=Song of the South.net|access-date=January 18, 2007}}</ref> [[Hattie McDaniel]] also appeared in the role of Aunt Tempe.