Spaceship Earth at Epcot Center
Disney World is currently airing a commercial narrated by Susan Sarandon which must have Walt Disney spinning in his grave. Walt Disney was a staunch Republican and while Miss Sarandon is a fine actress she is in every way the political opposite of Walt Disney.
Walt fought tooth and nail to prevent his studio from becoming unionized in the 1940′s. Unfortunately Disney lost this battle and according to Disney biographer Neal Gabler, he was forever changed by his fight against the unions and felt betrayed by his employees.
Disney was one of the first to warn of the communist infiltration of Hollywood and worked closely with the FBI and congress. Walt was such an outspoken opponent of communism that he was one of the founding members of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals where he also served as vice president. Can you imagine Hollywood caring to protect American ideals today?
You probably wonder why I even care but Walt Disney World is my favorite place on earth. I grew up a stone’s throw from the Magic Kingdom and go there every chance I get. Many of my fondest memories are of visiting Disney World with my family and friends.
There are no shortage of actors that Disney could have chosen to narrate a commercial, it’s just a shame the chose someone whose ideals are diametrically opposed to one of the greatest minds to ever live.
Seriously… Who gives two craps about a voiceover… You are way over the top! Granted, I’m an Independent, but I sure hope all Republicans don’t have fits everytime a famous Democrat talks.
The war between your crew and the Democrats is an embarassment to the ideals America was founded upon. Both sides are so arrogant they can’t seem to see any value in one another’s ideas.
My preacher once said that in both heaven and hell they give you forks too long to feed yourself… the difference is, in hell your always starving and in heaven you and your neighbor feed each other until you are both full.
This being America you are entitled to your opinion no matter how ill informed. I’ve been blogging long enough to know that “I’m an independent” is code word for I’m a raging liberal. In this world you either stand for something or you don’t. Susan Sarandon is a radical leftist and Walt Disney is one of the greatest Americans to ever live and for her to do a voice over does him a great injustice. Thanks for reading.
Very well stated Corey.
I agree wholeheartedly with the administrator (TK). Most people who call themselves Independents are full of it. They never seem to speak out against Democrat/Left Wing extremism. Hey Corey, do you leave comments on the Huffington Post or the Daily Kos admonishing their behavior when they openly wish for the death of their political opponents? You’re as phony as a three dollar bill! Michael Eisner, and Robert Iger have succeeded in bringing Disney closer and closer into the Hollywood cesspool.
Surandon also played in evil queen in 2007′s Enchated, which was released by Disney. If you think he would be rolling in his grave based on this voiceover and actress…I invite you to look at the many actors Disney has employed. Is Whoopi Goldberg a conservative? No, yet she’s on ABC (owned by Disney) and has appeared in numerous Disney productions on film and TV. Patton Oswald, a comic who has some lewd and racy standup voices Remmy in Ratatioulle. I could name countless of other actors that have appeared on screen or done voice work but it shouldn’t have anything to do with the company’s reputation. They were hired based on their talent. I’m sure there are plenty of other things Walt is turning in his grave about, this isn’t one of them.
Did you know Mel Gibson provided the voice of John Smith in Pocahontas? I could go on…
Eddie,
Thanks for your comment you stated your argument very well. I assure you that had this blog existed in years past I would have taken task with many of the things you mention. Please don’t get me started on Whoopi “Medusa” Goldberg and Joy Behar. They are both disgraceful, seditious vermin of the lowest form. However, this being America they are entitled to voice their opinion no matter how misguided.
I’m just saying. There are more…un-Disney things going on and none of them have to do with Susan Sarandon doing a voice over. I’m a fan of Disney, in fact, I’ve been to the Disneyland resort twice this month. But they have had a pretty rough past themselves, ever seen “Song of the South”?
Also, you can make your snide comments about Whoopi’s appearance but what I’m getting at is, Disney hires their voice actors mostly based on their talents in acting and voice. Their political views, past should have NOTHING to do with Disney’s legacy. If that were the case we wouldn’t have many memorable characters on film. That’s unless they’re racist or something terrible like that, which Disney has previous been accused of. Walt himself.
Which in my opinion (racism/prejudice) is more offensive.
But their political views should have nothing to do with them getting voice over work and how it tarnishes Disney’s legacy somehow. Let’s not forgot Walt himself was accused of several things, racism being on of them, ever seen “Song of the South”? Their past has been shaky. Racism is just as worse.
I have seen Song of the South and it is based on the book Uncle Remus. The actor who played Uncle Remus, James Baskett adamantly denied any racism in the film so I’ll take his side.
Personally I believe you stand for something or you stand for nothing. Mr. Disney fought tooth and nail to keep that element out of his studio and I don’t think these nefarious actors would have been hired were he still alive. It is unfortunate that Hollywood is nearly completely overrun with socialist/communist refuse. I am a big movie buff but have a hard time watching, therefore supporting actors that hold these beliefs.
Oops, didn’t mean to reply twice. My mistake.
But yes, I agree, Hollywood has changed. The film back then wasn’t seen as a big deal. But NOW, it is. But there’s other things from their past…but I digress.
We’re all entitled to our opinions. I just happen to liked Susan Surandon’s voice itself and thought it worked well for the tone of the commercial. That’s all.
There’s no doubting she’s a fine actress and in some of her films such as Mr. Woodcock (because she is aging well), the Stepmom, and Bull Durham; I couldn’t imagine another actress in those rolls. If she was doing a Chevy commercial I could have cared less. My apologies for being so defensive early on. I receive so much hate mail and nasty comments that it has become auto-response. Thanks for reading – TK