I am an unabashed Ralph Bakshi lover. I have seen and enjoyed most of the animator’s films — from American Pop to Fire and Ice. I even dug Cool World.
There is one film by the director, though, that I have been desperately been seeking a chance to watch for a long, long time. Now, thanks to the superheroes at Shout! Factory, I will finally get the chance to see Bakshi’s Coonskin when it is released on DVD this November.
Coonskin (also known as Street Fight and Bustin’ Out) is a 1975 film that parodies Song of the South. The film combines live action and animation and follows an African American rabbit, fox and bear who conquer organized crime in Harlem. Barry White, Charles Gordone, Scatman Crothers and Philip Michael Thomas star.
Protested during its original theatrical release, the film was released on VHS but never on DVD. That changes when Shout! releases the film on November 9. No special features are known at this time but the DVD is expected to have a reversible cover featuring two of the titles that the film has been released under.
This is indeed a reason to rejoice.