Alejandro Otero and Coonskin (film): Difference between pages
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{{Infobox Film
| name = Coonskin
| image = Coonskin (film).jpg
| caption = Poster image.
| director = [[Ralph Bakshi]]
| producer = [[Albert S. Ruddy]]
| eproducer =
| aproducer =
| writer = Ralph Bakshi
| starring = [[Barry White]]<br>[[Charles Gordone]]<br>[[Philip Michael Thomas]]<br>[[Scatman Crothers]]
| music = [[Chico Hamilton]]
| cinematography = [[William A. Fraker]]
| editing = [[Donald W. Ernst]]
| distributor = [[Bryanston Distributing Company]]
| released = [[August 1]], [[1975]]
| runtime = 100 min.<br>83 min. ([[VHS]] version)
| country = [[United States of America|USA]]
| awards =
| language = [[English language|English]]
| budget =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| amg_id = 1:47312
| imdb_id = 0071361
}}
'''''Coonskin''''' is a 1975 [[adult animation]] film directed by [[Ralph Bakshi]], about a [[Black (people)|black]] rabbit and his two buddies, a fox, and a bear, who try to take over the [[crime]] rackets in [[Harlem]]. It is a combination of [[live-action/animated film|live-action and animation]].
The film is a [[satire]] combining story elements from the [[Uncle Remus]] folktales adapted and compiled by [[Joel Chandler Harris]] (famously adapted by [[Walt Disney]] in the controversial feature ''[[Song of the South]]'') and several [[blaxploitation]] films.
The film was extremely controversial before its release and recieved limited distribution as an actual entry in the blaxploitation genre rather than a satire of it, although some, including [[film critic]] [[Roger Ebert]]<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19750101/REVIEWS/501010309/1023 |title=Review of ''Coonskin'' |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=January 1, 1975 |year= |month= |format= |work= |author=[[Roger Ebert]] |publisher=Chicago ''Sun-Times'' |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> feel that ''Coonskin'' should not be classified as blaxploitation.
However, the film has since developed a following and has been classified as a [[cult film]]. The film has long remained unavailable on DVD legally and officially, leading to the distribution of [[copyright infringement|bootleg]]s. In 2006, it was announced by Bakshi Productions that an official DVD release is in the works.
==Synopsis==
{{spoiler}}
The film begins in live-action. In a southern church, we see a preacher ([[Charles Gordone]]) practicing a sermon in a church empty but for two children. After concluding the sermon, he walks over to the house of Sampson ([[Barry White]]). The two plan to help their friend, Randy ([[Philip Michael Thomas]]) escape from prison.
Sampson and the Preacherman are pulled over by a white police officer. When the "[[Cracker Barrel]] cracker" goes for his gun, Sampson shoots him. At the prison, Randy sits quietly outside the wall with an older inmate, Pappy ([[Scatman Crothers]]), who tells Randy that he used to know a trio just like Randy and his friends.
[[Image:Coonskinrabbitbearfox.jpg|thumb|left|From left to right: Preacher Fox (voice of Charles Gordone), Brother Bear (voice of Barry White), and Brother Rabbit (voice of Philip Michael Thomas).]]
Live action changes to animation. [[Br'er Rabbit|Brother Rabbit]] (voice of [[Philip Michael Thomas]]) is Randy's animation counterpart, [[Br'er Bear|Brother Bear]] (voice of [[Barry White]]) is Sampson's, and [[Br'er Fox|Preacher Fox]] (voice of [[Charles Gordone]]) is the Preacherman's counterpart. The animated trio decides to pack up and leave their southern settings after the bank mortgages their home and sells it to a "fat city slicker" who turns it into a [[Brothel|house of ill repute]].
While packing up their stuff, they find out that one of the [[prostitute]]s, Marigold, is the daughter of the [[white (people)|white]], racist sheriff, just as he and one of his deputies enter the house looking for a good time. "The only thing this [[nigger]]'s town got to offer," according to the sheriff, "is cheap booze and some women."
Marigold exits from the bedroom, asking "which one of you fine Southern gentlemen is next?" When the deputy drools over her, the sheriff shoots him, and in turn, gets a knife in the stomach from Rabbit, who quickly rushes out of the house with Fox and Bear, and heads towards [[Harlem]], "home to every black man."
When they arrive, though, they find that it isn't all that it's made out to be. They turn the tables on a [[con man]] named Simple Savior, who had passed himself off as the distant, [[African-American|Afro-American]] cousin of [[Jesus Christ]].
Killing Savior puts Brother Rabbit in line to be the head of all organized crime in Harlem. But first, he has to get rid of a few other opponents. His first opponent is Maddigan, a borderline racist white cop, and bagman for the Mafia. When Maddigan finds out that Rabbit has been taking his payoffs, he is led to a nightclub called "The Cottontail."
A black [[stripper]] distracts him while an [[LSD]] sugar cube is dropped into his drink. Maddigan then is shoved into women's clothing and [[blackface|blackfaced]] before being shoved out into the back of the club where he gets into a shoot-out with the police and is shot to death by a group of his peers.
The final obstruction to Rabbit becoming head of organized crime is the [[The Godfather|Godfather]] (voice of an uncredited [[Al Lewis]]<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref><ref name="Metro-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/dolemite-0309.html |title=Monstrosious! [[Rudy Ray Moore]] and ''Coonskin'' at Cinequest: the black hero of the 1970s on the fringe |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>) and the Mafia, who live in the subway. It is decided that Sonny (voice of [[Richard Paul]]) will kill Rabbit.
Sonny stands in an alley outside the Cottontail, in blackface, strumming a banjo with a gun hidden inside it. When Rabbit and Bear step out of the Cottontail, Sonny shoots at them. Bear stands in front of Rabbit, and is shot in the gut. Sonny drops the gun and takes off in his car, heading straight towards Rabbit. Rabbit fires at him. Sonny crashes into a building. As Rabbit gets Bear to a doctor, the car explodes.
The Godfather's wife tries to kill her husband as punishment for sending their sons out to get killed. And after she herself is shot, she turns into a butterfly. According to Bakshi:
<blockquote>"She's meant to be a character of great purity. Giving birth is an act of great purity. One thing that stunned me about ''The Godfather'' movie: here's a mother who gives birth to children, and her husband essentially gets all her sons killed. In ''Coonskin'', she gets her revenge, but also gets shot. She turns into a butterfly and gets crushed. [...] These guys don't give you any room."<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref></blockquote>
Under the advisement of Fox, Bear becomes a boxer for the Mafia. During one of Bear's fights, Brother Rabbit sets up a melting imitation of himself made out of [[tar]]. As the Mafiosos take turns stabbing at the "[[tar baby|tar rabbit]]," they become stuck together. Rabbit, Bear and Fox rush out of the boxing arena as it blows up.
We turn back to the live-action story. Randy and Pappy escape in broad daylight while being shot at by various white cops, but managing to make it out of there alive.
{{endspoiler}}
== Production ==
[[Image:Coonskinrandypappy.JPG|thumb|right|Randy (Phillip Michael Thomas, standing) and Pappy (Scatman Crothers, sitting) outside the prison, shortly before the film's finale.]]
During the production of ''[[Heavy Traffic]]'', filmmaker Ralph Bakshi met and developed an instant friendship with producer [[Albert S. Ruddy]] during a screening of ''[[The Godfather]]''. Bakshi sold Ruddy on making a film based on the ''Uncle Remus'' storybooks.<ref name="Bakshi">{{cite web |url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/bio.php? |title=Biography |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
<blockquote>"I told him it was a remake of ''[[Song of the South]]'' set in Harlem. I told them I wanted to make the Uncle Remus stories, and then I started to make my film. No one's got time to hang out with an [[animator]]; you're not going to sit there seven days a week, so it can be very subversive work. I was making fun of the black exploitation movies, the ones where if you're white, you're dead. Everyone thought the picture was going to be anti-black. I intended it to be anti-[[idiot]]."<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref><ref name="Metro-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/dolemite-0309.html |title=Monstrosious! [[Rudy Ray Moore]] and ''Coonskin'' at Cinequest: the black hero of the 1970s on the fringe |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref></blockquote>
When [[Steve Krantz]], the producer of ''Heavy Traffic'', learned that Bakshi would work with Ruddy, Krantz locked Bakshi out of the studio. After two weeks, Krantz asked Bakshi back to finish the picture, quickly realizing no one could come close to the job. In 1973, production of ''Coonskin'' began, with [[Paramount Pictures]] originally attached to distribute the film.<ref name="Bakshi">{{cite web |url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/bio.php? |title=Biography |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
The bracketing sequences were shot in [[Oklahoma]]. The [[El Reno]] state prison was one of the locations used during filming. A week after Bakshi and his crew left, the prison was burned during a riot.<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>
The film's musical score was written and performed by jazz drummer and bandleader [[Chico Hamilton]]. The film's opening credits feature Scatman Crothers performing a song called "Ah'm a Nigger Man." Crothers wrote the music, and its lyrics were written by Bakshi himself. Bakshi had also wanted to use the song [[Maggie's Farm]] by [[Bob Dylan]] in the film, but was unable to get the rights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1438 |title=Bakshi Board Exclusive Interview #6 |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=Nov 02, 2006 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi Forum |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
== Reception ==
When the film was finished, a showing was planned at the [[Museum of Modern Art]]. The [[Congress of Racial Equality]] (CORE) surrounded the building before anyone had seen it yet, in a protest led by [[Al Sharpton]]. Bakshi asked Sharpton why he didn't come in and see the movie. In response, Sharpton announced, "I don't got to see shit; I can smell shit!"<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>
According to Bakshi, "[Sharpton] brought in some bruisers, and I could hear them asking, 'Should we beat him up or cool it?' 'Ah, let's watch the film.'" After the screening, Sharpton charged up to the screen, "but there wasn't anyone behind him. He could hear voices behind him, 'It wasn't that bad!'"<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref>
Following this, the Paramount Building in [[New York City]] was picketed by CORE. The [[NAACP]] had written a letter describing the film as a difficult satire, but supported it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071361/trivia |title=''Coonskin'' trivia |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
With Paramount's permission, Bakshi and Ruddy got contractually released, and the Bryanston Distributing Company was brought in to release the film.<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref> The film was given limited distribution, advertised as a blaxploitation film.
<center>{{cquote|''Coonskin'' is said by its director to be about blacks and for whites, and by its ads to be for blacks and against whites. Its title was originally intended to break through racial stereotypes by its bluntness, but now the ads say the hero and his pals are out "to get [[the Man]] to stop calling them coonskin." The movie's original distributor, Paramount, dropped it after pressure from black groups. Now it's being sold by Bryanston as an attack on the system.}}
- Roger Ebert<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19750101/REVIEWS/501010309/1023 |title=Review of ''Coonskin'' |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |author=[[Roger Ebert]] |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=January 1, 1975 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Chicago ''Sun-Times'' |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref></center>
Because of poor distribution, the film stayed in obscurity for several years, eventually developing a cult following through [[home video]] releases and film festivals.
Fans of the film include the [[Wu-Tang Clan]], who expressed interest in producing a sequel<ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5725&sid=bfdea93ea0ec1e8e90d1522d69c6c99c#5725 |title=Bakshi's game of cat and mouse |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink=Susan King |coauthors= |date=April 24, 2005 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[LA Times]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> and film directors [[Spike Lee]]<ref name="Metro">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/02.27.03/bakshi-0309.html |title=Here He Comes to Save the Day: An interview with Cinequest Maverick Spirit honoree Ralph Bakshi |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author=[[Richard von Busack]], [[San Jose Metro]] |work= }}</ref> and [[Quentin Tarantino]], who spoke about the film at the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5725&sid=bfdea93ea0ec1e8e90d1522d69c6c99c#5725 |title=Bakshi's game of cat and mouse |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink=Susan King |coauthors= |date=April 24, 2005 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[LA Times]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
In 2003, the [[Online Film Critics Society]] ranked the film as the 97th greatest animated film of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/pages/pr/top100animated |title=Top 100 Animated Features of All Time |accessdate=2006-12-22 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Online Film Critics Society]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>
== Home video availability ==
''Coonskin'' was released on VHS by [[Academy Entertainment]] in the late 1980s, and later by [[Xenon Entertainment Group]] in the 1990s, both under the re-release title, ''Street Fight''. For a long time, the film remained unavailable on [[DVD]] officially, despite the release of most of Bakshi's other films in the format.
Recent interest in Bakshi's work has led to interest from investors to help release the film on DVD. Distributors interested in releasing the film include [[Blue Underground]] and [[Warner Home Video]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5562#5562 |title=COONSKIN DVD UPDATE |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=[[Apr 26]], [[2005]] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi Forum |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8925#8925 |title=Coonskin & Warner Bros? |accessdate=2006-12-22 |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=Jan 22, 2006 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ralph Bakshi Forum |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> It has recently been announced that a DVD of the film is "in process". It is not currently known who is planning to distribute it.
==Cast==
[[Image:Coonskinsampsonpreacher.JPG|thumb|right|Sampson (Barry White) and the Preacherman (Charles Gordone).]]
Credited:
:[[Barry White]] .... Sampson/Voice of Brother Bear
:[[Charles Gordone]] .... Preacherman/Voice of Preacher Fox
:[[Philip Michael Thomas]] .... Randy/Voice of Brother Rabbit
:[[Scatman Crothers]] .... Pappy/Voice of Old Man Bone
:[[Danny Rees]] .... Clown
:[[Buddy Douglas]] .... Referee
:[[Jim Moore]] .... Mime
Uncredited:
:[[Al Lewis]] .... The Godfather (voice)
:[[Richard Paul]] .... Sonny (voice)
It should be noted that, in the film's end credits, only the actors' live-action roles are credited, and no voice actors are credited.
==Notes==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>
==External links==
* [http://www.ralphbakshi.com/films.php?film=coonskin ''Coonskin''] at the official [[Ralph Bakshi]] website
* {{imdb title|id=0071361|title=Coonskin}}
* {{amg movie|id=1:47312|title=Coonskin}}
* {{Movie-Tome|id=58434|title=Coonskin}}
* {{Rogerebert|id=19750101/REVIEWS/501010309|title=Coonskin}}
{{bakshi}}
[[Category:1975 films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Blaxploitation films]]
[[Category:Cult films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ralph Bakshi]]
[[Category:Independent films]]
[[Category:Live-action/animated films]]
[[Category:Race-related films]]
[[fr:Coonskin]]
[[sv:Rabbit: The Killer]]
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