The Adventures of Brer Rabbit
Encyclopedia
The Adventures of Brer Rabbit is the title of book, a play, and a film inspired by the Uncle Remus
stories. The central character's actual name is Br'er Rabbit
, but the title is simplified as "Brer." The film also has the distinction to be the second film to be released by Universal Studios
under their Universal Animation Studios
banner.
, and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
. Lester received the Coretta Scott King Award
in 1988 for this work.
, and was performed there for over 20 years.
, it was not an exact adaptation of the book. The film was released direct-to-video
in 2006, and was described by the Washington Times as having hip-hop influences. It was nominated for the Best home Entertainment Annie Award
.
It is the second film to be produced under the Universal Animation Studios
banner.
Uncle Remus
Uncle Remus is a fictional character, the title character and fictional narrator of a collection of African American folktales adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, published in book form in 1881...
stories. The central character's actual name is Br'er Rabbit
Br'er Rabbit
Br'er Rabbit is a central figure in the Uncle Remus stories of the Southern United States. He is a trickster character who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn, tweaking authority figures and bending social mores as he sees fit...
, but the title is simplified as "Brer." The film also has the distinction to be the second film to be released by Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
under their Universal Animation Studios
Universal Animation Studios
Universal Animation Studios , is an American animation studio which is a division of Universal Studios....
banner.
Book
The book's full title is Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit and was written by Julius LesterJulius Lester
Julius Lester is an American author of books for children and adults, and taught for 32 years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is also a photographer, as well as a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs.-Early life and family:Born on January 27, 1939, in...
, and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney is an American illustrator of children’s books, and winner of the 2010 Caldecott Medal. He has received a Caldecott Honor citation five times, the Coretta Scott King Award five times, four New York Times Best Illustrated Awards , four Gold and four Silver medals from the Society of...
. Lester received the Coretta Scott King Award
Coretta Scott King Award
The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, part of the American Library Association...
in 1988 for this work.
Play
A one-act play entitled The Adventures of Brer Rabbit was written by Gayle Cornelison. The play was first performed in 1977 at the California Theatre Center in Sunnyvale, CaliforniaSunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley located in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, and was performed there for over 20 years.
Film
Although the characters of the story had been portrayed in the 1946 Disney film Song of the SouthSong of the South
Song of the South is a 1946 American musical film produced by Walt Disney and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film is based on the Uncle Remus cycle of stories by Joel Chandler Harris. The live actors provide a sentimental frame story, in which Uncle Remus relates the folk tales of the...
, it was not an exact adaptation of the book. The film was released direct-to-video
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
in 2006, and was described by the Washington Times as having hip-hop influences. It was nominated for the Best home Entertainment Annie Award
Annie Award
The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
.
It is the second film to be produced under the Universal Animation Studios
Universal Animation Studios
Universal Animation Studios , is an American animation studio which is a division of Universal Studios....
banner.
Voice cast
- Monica AllisonMonica AllisonMonica Allison is an actress and voice actor. She is perhaps best known for her role as Hazel Gordy inThe Jacksons: An American Dream and the voice of Julie in The Adventures of Brer Rabbit.-Filmography:-External links:...
... Julie (voice) - Wayne BradyWayne BradyWayne Alphonso Brady is an actor, singer, comedian and television personality, known for his work as a regular on the American version of the improvisational comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and as the host of the daytime talk show The Wayne Brady Show...
... Brer Wolf (voice) - Rhyon Nicole BrownRhyon Nicole BrownRhyon Nicole Brown is an American teen actress, singer, and dancer. She made her film debut in Santa & Pete and has since appeared in various television shows...
... Janey (voice) - Nick CannonNick CannonNicholas Scott "Nick" Cannon is an American actor, comedian, rapper, entrepreneur, record producer, radio, and television personality. On television, Cannon began as a teenage sketch comedian on All That before going on to host The Nick Cannon Show, Wild 'N Out, and America's Got Talent...
... Brer Rabbit (voice) - Michael Ferdie ... Ninja #1 (voice)
- Danny GloverDanny GloverDanny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise.-Early life:...
... Brer Turtle (voice) - Dorian HarewoodDorian HarewoodW. Dorian Harewood is an American actor. He first garnered attention for his portrayal of Simon Haley in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.-Career:...
... Mr. Man (voice) - D.L. Hughley ... Brer Fox (voice)
- Jeff KushnerJeff KushnerJeff Kushner is a Film Editor, Supervising Sound Editor and educator who has worked in various post production positions since 1987...
... Ninja #2 (voice) - Phil LaMarrPhil LaMarrPhillip "Phil" LaMarr is an American actor, comedian and voice actor. One of the original cast members on the sketch comedy series MADtv, he is also known for his small, but memorable role as Marvin in Pulp Fiction...
... Brer Gator (voice) - Dawnn LewisDawnn LewisDawnn Lewis is an American actress and singer, perhaps best known for her roles on sitcoms such as A Different World and in the first season of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.-Career:...
... Mom (voice) - Quinton Madina ... Lester (voice)
- Deborah Speck ... Momma Mouse (voice)
- Cleo LaineCleo LaineDame Cleo Laine, Lady Dankworth, DBE is a jazz singer and an actress, noted for her scat singing and vocal range...
... Sister MoonSister Moon"Sister Moon" was Transvision Vamp's fifth single release and the final single to be taken from their debut album Pop Art. It was a minor hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1988, peaking at #41.-Track listing:7" vinyl...
(voice) - Gary Anthony WilliamsGary Anthony WilliamsGary Anthony Williams is an American screen actor who most recently appeared in Weeds and Boston Legal. Additionally, he is known for his recurring role on Fox's Malcolm in the Middle as "Abe" Kenarban. He has also been known for the comedy series Blue Collar TV as a regular cast member...
... Brer Bear (voice) - Debra WilsonDebra WilsonDebra Wilson Skelton , professionally known as Debra Wilson or Debra Wilzon, is an American comedienne and actress. Wilson is likely most famous for being the second longest-serving original cast member on the sketch comedy series MADtv, having appeared for the show's first eight seasons...
... Sister Buzzard (voice)