Dixie Days (film)

Dixie Days[1] (also known as Uncle Tom and Little Eva[2]) is a 1930 animated short film which was produced by The Van Beuren Corporation and released by Pathe.[2]

The title card of the reissue Uncle Tom and Little Eva.

The film, which was directed by John Foster and Mannie Davis, is a take on Uncle Tom's Cabin,[3][4][5] as it featured African caricatures as slaves, as they defy their owner and free themselves from them.[1] The name of the film means the cartoon took place in the Southern United States, as Dixie is the nickname of the South.[6]

Released on March 9, 1930,[3] the cartoon is also part of the early sound cartoon series entitled Aesop's Sound Fables. However, although the film is part of the series, it is not based on an Aesop fable.

Plot
Uncle Tom and Popsy going up the mountain.

The film begins on a slave-ship which comically expands and shrinks like an accordion. On the boat, a set of four animals (one with a guitar) sings "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny". Once they arrive, Uncle Tom starts to play a recorder outside his cabin. This makes Popsy (as her uncle calls her) descend onto the cabin. Upon arrival, Uncle Tom asks where her friend, Little Eva, is. Just then, she descends onto the cabin. Uncle Tom plays a song, which both Popsy and Little Eva dance to.

However, the slave-keeper hears this and takes both Uncle Tom and Popsy as slaves, leaving Little Eva in tears. They are both taken to a slave-auction, where they must perform. The first one to perform is Uncle Tom, who falls over at the end of his performance, due to his lack of strength and malnutrition. In response, the keepers blow raspberries at him after the performance.

The second to perform is Popsy, who comically treats the audition block as a xylophone. She is viewed more favourable than Uncle Tom, but the slave-keepers chant "We want either!". When they are chanting that, a mother and her baby do spot the slave-keepers and comically runs to the mountains.

However, one of the slave-keeper spots them and sends blood hounds in order to catch them. The slave-keeper also tries to catch them via paddleboat. They are both unsuccessful, due to Uncle Tom breaking off his chain on his ball and chain and using it to make the slave-keeper's paddleboat fall off a waterfall. After that, the four animals then sing "Dixie". Until, a chicken appears and crows. They stop singing, and the film ends with the four animals pursuing the chicken.

Characters

In this cartoon, the main characters are Uncle Tom, Popsy, and a set on slave-keepers.[2] There all both influence the outcome in the short film. There are also a set of African caricatures, who are portrayed as slaves.[2]

Reception

Dixie Days received positive reviews from the cinema magazines at that time.[4][5] The Film Daily said that the cartoon had some "really amusing moments".[5] The Motion Picture News said the same,[4] and said the film was "ideal as relief from a heavy feature".[4]

References
  1. Jones Testen (December 3, 2017), Van Bueren Collection Dixie Days 1930, retrieved June 25, 2018
  2. filmfurycom (May 4, 2011), Uncle Tom and Little Eva, retrieved June 25, 2018
  3. Bradley, Edwin M. (April 27, 2009). The First Hollywood Sound Shorts, 1926–1931. McFarland. ISBN 9781476606842.
  4. Motion Picture News (1930). Motion Picture News (Apr - Jul 1930). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. New York, Motion Picture News.
  5. New York, Wid's Films and Film Folk (1930). The Film Daily (Jan-Jun 1930). Media History Digital Library. New York, Wid's Films and Film Folks, Inc.
  6. "Dixie | region, United States". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
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