Gotten for a Song
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Was Disney’s music rights department asleep at the wheel when it gave rival Universal its Oscar-winning song, “Zip-a-dee Doo-Dah,” for use in “Fletch Lives”--reportedly for the bargain price of $200?
In “Fletch Lives,” Chevy Chase dreams of an idyllic plantation where animated birds and animals romp about while he sings the famous tune. The combination live-action/animation sequence was shot in VistaVision, mimicking the style of “Song of the South” (1946), where the song was first heard.
Co-producer Peter Douglas told us that the final price ran to four figures , about 10% of what had been budgeted--”We were truly surprised at the deal we were able to strike.”
Disney wouldn’t comment.
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