Disney is replacing the racist ‘The Siamese Cat Song’ for its upcoming live-action Lady And The Tramp film
Polygon reports that Disney is removing the racist ‘The Siamese Cat Song’ from Lady And The Tramp in its upcoming live-action remake.
In the 1955 original, Peggy Lee voiced Darling, Siamese cats Si and Am and Pekingese Peg. The siamese cats owned by Aunt Sarah are shown as racist caricatures with buck teeth – a common depiction of Asians at the time.
One scene features the Siamese cats singing the ‘The Siamese Cat Song’, where Lee performs with accented English. Gongs and stereotypical Oriental music is played throughout the song too.
A cover of the song by Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff for the Disneymania 2 was released in 2004.
For its upcoming live-action remake, ‘Make Me Feel’ singer Janelle Monáe will voice Peg and will re-record songs performed by Lee including ‘He’s A Tramp’. Monáe will write a new track to replace the ‘The Siamese Cat Song’
Lady And The Tramp will star Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux as the titular couple. The film will debut on Disney Plus when it launches on 12 November.
