Brer Rabbit. Uncle Remus. "Song of the South." Racist?

Disney thinks so. And that's why it has forbidden the theatrical re-release of its classic film "Song of the South" since 1986.

But is the film racist? Are its themes, its characters, even its music so abominable that Disney has done us a favor by burying the movie in its infamous Vault, where the Company claims it will remain for all time?

Disney historian Jim Korkis does "not" think so.

In his newest book, "Who's Afraid of the Song of the South?," Korkis examines the film from concept to controversy, and reveals the politics that nearly scuttled the project. Through interviews with many of the artists and animators who created "Song of the South," and through his own extensive research, Korkis delivers both the definitive behind-the-scenes history of the film and a balanced analysis of its cultural impact.

What else would Disney prefer you did not know? Plenty.

Korkis also pulls back the curtain on such dubious chapters in Disney history as: Disney's cinematic attack on venereal disease Ward Kimball's obsession with UFOs Tim Burton's depressed stint at the Disney Studios Walt Disney's nightmares about his stomping an owl to death Wally Wood's Disneyland Memorial Orgy poster J. Edgar Hoover's hefty FBI file on Walt Disney Little Black Sunflower's animated extinction

Plus 10 more forbidden tales that Disney wishes would go away.

Whether you're a film buff, an armchair academic, or a Disney fan eager to peek behind Disney's magical (and tightly controlled) curtain, you'll discover lots you never knew about Disney.

With a foreword by Disney Legend Floyd Norman, "Who's Afraid of the Song of the South?" is both authoritative and entertaining.

Jim Korkis is the best-selling author of "Vault of Walt," and has been researching and writing about Disney for over three decades. The Disney Company itself uses his expertise for special projects. Korkis resides in Orlando, Florida.

In 2010, Jim Korkis wrote his best-selling book "The Vault of Walt." Now Jim has returned to the Vault, and in this revised edition of his classic book, you'll find your favorite tales plus five brand-new stories, including: The perilous four-month stint of famed Warner Bros. animator Chuck Jones at the Disney Studios Why two women you've never heard of were among Walt's most important influences Walt's admiration for and brief collaboration with legendary artist Salvador Dali Walt and Lillian Disney's raucous 30th wedding anniversary celebration in Frontierland How Walt's early infatuation with polo led to an injury that plagued him for the rest of his life The story of Cinderella's Golden Carrousel and the Disney craftswoman who tended it for decades Walt's fondness for chili and cold weenies, with authentic recipes to create his favorite dishes

And over twenty more

With a foreword by Walt's daughter Diane Disney Miller, "The Revised Vault of Walt" is your chance to roam the nooks and crannies of Disney culture in the capable hands of Disney historian, master storyteller, and former Cast Member Jim Korkis. As Diane Disney Miller herself writes, Jim's stories are ..".authentic, so true to my dad's spirit, so unprejudiced and non-judgmental, that I ... could see the twinkle in dad's eye, hear his laugh."

"The Revised Vault of Walt" consists of four parts, each with seven memorable tales about Walt, Disney films, Disney theme parks, and the many other worlds of Disney. In addition, there's a bonus section about Disney's controversial film "Song of the South" to herald Jim's new book, "Who's Afraid of the Song of the South? And Other Forbidden Disney Stories," also from Theme Park Press and now available on Amazon.

Note to readers of the old edition: "The Revised Vault of Walt" omits several of Jim's stories and replaces them with new tales. The book has been professionally copy edited and features a brand-new layout - not to mention a much lower price. But please do remember that most of the content here was also present in the old edition.

Jim Korkis is the best-selling author of Vault of Walt, and has been researching and writing about Disney for over three decades. The Disney Company itself uses his expertise for special projects. Korkis resides in Orlando, Florida.