"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" wins Best Original Song 1948

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, a song from Disney's Song of the South, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 20th annual ceremony, held March 20, 1948.  The song was written by Allie Wrubel (music) and Ray Gilbert (lyrics). James Baskett, who performed the song on screen, won an Honorary Academy Award for his able and heart-warming characterization of Uncle Remus.  That makes him the first African American man to win an Academy Award for acting.

Song of the South was also nominated for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, but lost to Mother Wore Tights.

"Song of the South" released 1946

Disney's movie, Song of the South, released in the US November 20, 1946, has become a subject of controversy for its portrayal of African-Americans.  The film, a mix of live-action and animation, is based on a collection of Uncle Remus stories adapted by Joel Chandler Harris.

James Baskett starred as Uncle Remus and provided the voice of Br'er Fox.  Baskett won an Academy Honorary Award for his performance.

The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.  It was also nominated for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture.  It was one of the top-grossing movies of 1946.