Hey folks, Harry here this time with Sir Etch-A-Sketch. In a separate letter he wrote to me he detailed the harrowing search for his identity there at the wonderful world of Disney. I'm really glad that he has evaded all of their searches... I had feared for the worst, but when you are as good as our dear Mr Sketch, I suppose one of them detection devices just don't mean a whole helluvalot. Welcome back folks, Etch is going to work on getting us an advance look at John Henry so we can see for ourselves the depths of this 'offensive' material.... sigh...
Harry,
I've been undercover recently here at Disney due to an increase in eyes. Seems that the stuck-ups here at the Mouse House just did not approve of my previous tales of woe in this misbegotten corporate shill-hole.
Why am I so negative? Harry, I envy you. Being out there in Austin where you do not have to see the pandering first hand. I love the history of this old place that I once said that I would work nowhere else on the surface of this planet. Though from time to time I frequently find myself questioning the very nature of the business.
I know this makes me sound like some embittered employee angry at the entire world of the suits, but frankly I am one of those suits. I did not want to be an animator, I felt I could do more by bringing about change through the actual day to day politics of the ones with Mickey lapel pins.
Right now, here at Disney we have a great film. Something that Walt would have been proud of. These spineless worms about me though just are so afraid of offending even a single viewer that they have become paralyzed by their own senses of inadequacy.
JOHN HENRY would win BEST ANIMATED SHORT at this coming year's OSCARS without a blink of the eye. Originally it was slated to go out with TOY STORY 2. Internally that was what we were shooting for.
The film is done. It is sitting in a can. It is just sitting there. Next time you come out Harry, give me notice and I will screen it for you. You see Disney hierchy is frozen by the fear of offending the African-American communtiy with the caricature nature of JOHN HENRY. It is that same self-policing that occurred when they digitally removed the cigarette from Pecos Bill's mouth. The Emperor has no teeth. We have to make pre-digested IV movies and entertainment. I have shown JOHN HENRY to some black friends of mine. They loved it. It's a classic folk tale.
As FDR said, "The only thing we have to fear... is fear itself."
That is right. He was President of the United States. Harry, I know you are excited about seeing LUXO JR. I know the press release made you happy. That you had not seen LUXO JR. on the big screen. Harry. It could have been JOHN HENRY.
It is my belief that it is time to thaw out Walt and bring him back to life because this studio's balls went on ice with him. Southerners did not get all riled up by Pecos Bill. Northwesterners didn't get angry at Paul Bunyon. Why then are we ashamed of John Henry. He was a steel driving man. Perhaps they will place it with DINOSAURS, but do not count on it. My fear is that it will never see release.
It is my sincerest hope that the next time I write you it will be with some good news regarding this, but if there is one thing I have learned here it is that hopes crash and burn faster than I care to talk about.
Have a great Butt-Numb-A-Thon, I am thinking of coming out for it,
Sir Etch-A-Sketch
