Babes In Toyland

Starring:Charles Nelson Reilly, Lacey Chabert, Joseph Ashton, Raphael Sbarge, Cathy Cavadini, Christopher Plummer, Susan Silo, Bronson Pinchot, James Belushi, Lindsay Schnebly
Director: Paul Sabella
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Description

Enjoy a happy excursion into the world of Mother Goose in Walt Disney's first musical production! All roads lead to magical, merry Toyland as Mary Contrary and Tom Piper prepare for their wedding! But villainous Barnaby wants Mary for himself, so he kidnaps Tom, setting off a series of comic chases, searches, and double-crosses! The "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" helps put Barnaby in his place, and ensures a "happily ever after" for Tom and Mary! This joyful musical fantasy is a delightful experience for the whole family!

Customer Reviews:

absolutely necessary!.......2007-06-08

As a child I couldn't get enough of this film. When I learned it was availabe on dvd the first thing i did was buy it. The second thing i did was call my mother. No film could ever be as worthy of dvd status as this one! If you have children please show it to them. It is something that i hope is an essential part of childhood.

Toyland Uber Alles.......2007-05-29

If this 1961 Disney musical reminds you a bit of 1939's WIZARD OF OZ, that's hardly surprising. You got your fairy tale villages (well, Mother Goose,actually, but who's counting?): you've got spooky forests with trees that come alive and scare innocent children : and you've got Ray Bolger (this time as a bad guy, but still dancing up a storm when given a chance). There's even an Ed Wynn connection, sort of, since the lovable comedian, seen in here in a fairly small role, reportedly once rejected the title role in the '39 classic because it was "way too small." I guess, 22 years on, he had learned his lesson.

Apparently, both this version of BABES IN TOYLAND and the earlier Laurel and Hardy adaptation, took considerable liberties with the Victor Herbert stage play--to the point where you could say they were only loosely adapted on same. Since the source work is not really considered a classic itself, such revisions probably shouldn't matter much. Hollywood-izing (or "Disney-izing") classic fairy tales or children's literature is one thing, submitting a turn-of-the-century operetta to the the same treatment should not upset purists too much.

It is interesting to note, however, that by 1961, the thrust of the storyline had switched from a scheming uncle trying to rob children of their inheritance, to a Snidely Whiplash type villain out to force the beautiful, innocent young Mary (who despite her name and her cockle-shell full garden is anything but "contrary"--in general anyway , although she lets her contempt for the villain, Barnaby, show) into marriage so that he rob her of HER inheritance (and presumably other things as well). Of course to do so, he must dispatch her handsome young fiance, Tom Piper, which proves to be no easy task, after all, especially when the sole help this arch-villain can enlist are a couple of bumbling refugees from the old ZORRO TV series.

The fact that the Disney folks were thinking that older-teen style mushiness played better than little kid adventure may have been indicative of a change in the cinematic Zeitgeist--we're on the verge of the swingin' 60s after all--or maybe it just had to do with the fact that Annette was a hot Disney property at the time and they needed a plotline that would focus on her and NOT on the cute little kids (all supposed to be her younger siblings, it would appear). In fact the screen emphasis on Annette and beau Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) is so great that aside from Ann Jillian (billed here as "Ann Jilliann") as Bo Peep, it's not even clear who the other kids are supposed to be. Perennial Disney favorite, Kevin Corcoran, is listed as Boy Blue in the credits. Who knew? He doesn't even get to blow his horn.

So it's a kids' movie in which the actual kid actors get short shrift and little screen time. Well, of course, Judy Garland was already an adolescent herself by the time she played Dorothy. Annette is a bit older than that: I believe she's about 20 here, and while she in no way possesses the vocal power and acting chops of a young Garland, she certainly projects the girl-next-door charm that had become her trademark by this time. Tommy Sands actually does have the smooth good looks and even smoother vocal style of a potential musical star, but he was born a bit too late for that genre's heyday. This was to be his sole musical, unfortunately for him: and his regular job as a teenage idol endured about as long as his real-life marriage to Nancy Sinatra. All in all, kind of a shame.

I was fascinated to learn (from a previous reviewer) that Disney himself had wanted to make a quality musical and was actually quite unsatisfied with this film. He did manage to achieve that goal just four years later with MARY POPPINS. As for BABES IN TOYLAND itself, it ain't half bad. The musical numbers, many of which really were from the Victor Herbert operetta, are entertaining. The choreography is pretty good (although the dance numbers could have been SHOT better). The stop motion animation is pretty effective in the toy soldier battle scenes. And the cast is quite good (and let me throw in a mention for Tommy Kirk as well, another appealing Disney regular of the era, who would soon be blackballed by the company for proving to be relatively uncloseted in his personal life).

Kids, who aren't too jaded by contemporary special-effects-laden fare, should enjoy the film. The dialog and some of the lyrics are just sophisticated enough to give the adults something to savor as well (yes, they did that back then too: they just didn't have to ANNOUNCE it by giving all the wisecracks to a hip comedian like Robin Williams or Eddie Murphy). All in all, not bad.

Fantasy is better than what some people hope . . . MMC Presents.......2007-05-14

Growing up is a difficult thing to do for some of us. And we all understand love in different ways. Mother Goose introduces this film, and I am reminded that I was in the minds of those who made the movie as well as everyone else. Tom and Mary "loves" us all. And so we find out who is the boss after all, hee hee. Babes in Toyland is a wonderful movie. It does not go stale over the years because of the vast array of characters who we can identify with over the years. I saw this film when it first was released. The only thing I remembered was the talking trees. This act happened when my mother gave me an ice cream sandwich. The second time I saw the film was when Walt Disney presented it on The Wonderful World of Disney. The Disney presentation has so many extras from the vault . . . At Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party; the march of the wooden army men brought back joyful memories. And then I saw the DVD this year, 2007. To me, I heard the words, and my eyes opened to a new understanding of this expanded and entertaining version of a Mickey Mouse Club presentation.

LOVE THIS MOVIE.......2007-04-16

I remember watching this movie when I was going up I love it. Its a Disney movie and I love all old Disney movies.

Fun for the whole family!.......2007-01-30

This movie is a wholesome delight! Where good triumphs over evil. Where lessons are taught and morals are learned. The beautiful music and the enchanting costumes will keep you and your family pleasently entertained. This movie is a true classic one that should be enjoyed by familys for many years to come.

Average customer rating:

My Boys Love this movie!! Buy it , so will you....
Babes in Toyland
My daughters favorite
Great for a 3 year old!

Babes In Toyland
Starring: Charles Nelson Reilly , Lacey Chabert , Joseph Ashton , Raphael Sbarge , and Cathy Cavadini
Director: Paul Sabella
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Babes in Toyland
An All Dogs Christmas Carol
Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Winnie the Pooh/Babes in Toyland
March of the Wooden Soldiers
Barnyard - The Original Party Animals (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B0002V7O6U
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Amazon.com

In this animated reworking of the 1961 movie, Mother Goose characters are pitted against the evil Barnaby, intent on preventing Toyland's factory from fulfilling Santa's order. This time it's the lamb-owning Mary, not the contrary Mary, who's intrigued with Tom, the Piper's son. The pair wants to save Mary's inherited factory, while the orphaned Jack and Jill seek to escape their uncle/jailer Barnaby. In a pop psychology twist, Barnaby wants Mary's factory, not Mary herself. His main beef is with the toys, because--it turns out--he never had any as a child. Pirate goons, an actual monkey wrench, and a forestful of goblins do their worst, but all ends well when Tom sics his newly invented larger-than-life toy soldiers with Inspector Gadget-like gizmos upon the villains. Christmas is saved, Mary and Tom envision their future, and many songs are sung by voice talents including the late Charles Nelson Reilly, as Humpty Dumpty. (Ages 3 and older)--Kimberly Heinrichs

Description

Everyone's favorite nursery-rhyme characters come magically and musically to life in this delightful animated adventure based on the classic holiday tale. Featuring the voices of James Belushi, LaceyChabert, Bronson Pinchot, Christopher Plummer and Charles Nelson Reilly, Babes in Toyland isa wonderful tune-filled tale that will delight the entire family time and again. It's two days before Christmas, and the Toyland Toy Factory has just received its biggest order ever. But theevil Barnaby, who doesn't believe in toys, has plans to shut the factory down and spoil the holidayfor everyone. Now it's up to Jack and Jill to stop Barnaby's plot and save Christmas!

Customer Reviews:

My Boys Love this movie!! Buy it , so will you...........2006-01-22

I have 3 boys 8,5, and 3 and this is a favorite with each of them as they grew up!! My little one is really nuts about this movie. I love the music and the catchy tunes. I am continually amazed by Christopher Plummer who is the voice of Barnaby... he is just one of the best. I grew up loving him in the Sound of Music and now his talent is being enjoyed by my boys. It takes a real talent to pull off the Barnaby character. Don't pass this up!!!!

Babes in Toyland.......2004-10-29

Some of the music written for the operetta by Victor Herbert
did not appear in this video, but I still liked it very much.
At least the stirring "March of the Toys" was included. Barnaby
was shown as he was-- a real meanie. It is odd that he forbade not only TOYS for Jack and Jill but locked them in the attic and would not let them eat! Was he THAT bad in the original oper-
etta?

My daughters favorite.......2002-02-24

My 2 1/2 yr old daughter LOVES this movie. She watched it so often at grandmas it broke. I found another copy and shes happy again. She likes Humpty Dumpty the best and the goblins also.... Thanks!!

Great for a 3 year old!.......1999-12-12

My 3 1/2 yr old has watched this over and over. She loves Tom the Piper's son, and Mary (of little lamb fame). She also loves the music. The bad guys are not too scary for a three year old (at least not mine).

Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Winnie the Pooh/Babes in Toyland

Average customer rating:

Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Winnie the Pooh/Babes in Toyland
Director: Bob Henry , David Greene , Richard Morris , William Corrigan , and Harry Horner
Manufacturer: Genius Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

3-6 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Kids & Family | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: The Princess and the Goblins/Madeline
The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Land of Oz/The Reluctant Dragon
The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Shirley Temple Show - The Little Mermaid
The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Pippi Longstocking/Kim
Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: The Terrible Clockman/The House of the Seven Gables/The Land o

ASIN: B000EQ5UKK
Release Date: 2006-03-28

Average customer rating:

Very good, maybe neccessary
March of the Wooden Soldiers
Good Experience
A great Holiday Movie Classic
A perfect restoration and colorization

Babes in Toyland [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Babes in Toyland
Laurel & Hardy (Sons of the Desert/The Music Box/Another Fine Mess/Busy Bodies/County Hospital)
Laurel & Hardy II (Way Out West / Block-Heads / Chickens Come Home)
A Christmas Carol (Original B&W Version)
The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol. 3 (Abbott & Costello Go to Mars / Abbott & Costello in the Foreign Legion / Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein / Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man / Abbott & Costello Meet the Killer / Comin' Round the Mountain / Lost in Alaska / Mexican Hayride)

ASIN: B00004CZU8

Amazon.com

The most lavish feature built around Laurel and Hardy, 1934's March of the Wooden Soldiers is also the most bizarre. Opening unpromisingly with one of several mawkish numbers derived from Victor Herbert's musical Babes in Toyland, the antics of toyshop laborers Stannie Dum and Ollie Dee are worked into a scenario midway between Lewis Carroll and the Brothers Grimm. Nursery-rhyme characters come and go in a surreal fantasy, with the evil Mr. Barnaby threatening to evict Widow Peep from her shoe unless he receives her daughter Bo in marriage. The movie culminates in a full-scale invasion of Toyland by the yeti-ish Bogeymen and their defeat by the 100 six-foot wooden soldiers which Stan and Ollie have built by mistake. Henry Brandon gives a characterful performance, while 1930s child star Charlotte Henry is an appealing heroine. Directors Gus Meins and Charles R. Rogers milk the slapstick to an increasingly unnerving degree. Reputedly Hardy's favorite among the double act's features, March of the Wooden Soldiers emerges now as their most audacious screen appearance. --Richard Whitehouse

Customer Reviews:

Very good, maybe neccessary.......2007-06-08

Laurel and Hardy DON'T need to be in colour, they are perfect in B&W, however this is the one film that might be the exception. Even in B&W you can tell how glorious the film would be if the backgrounds and characters were in colour - and it works. It won't change your life but will make a brilliant film that bit better, and different.

March of the Wooden Soldiers.......2007-03-21

Just as I expected it would be. Great find!

Good Experience.......2007-03-09

The delivery of the merchandise was timely the picture clarity and product is excellent for a classic DVD. The overall experience was great!!!

A great Holiday Movie Classic.......2007-02-27

I remember this movie on TV every Thanksgiving when I was a kid. For some reason they stopped showing it in the mid 80's - to early 90's it has become a forgotten classic. Though I am not a fan of colorization for old B/W movies, I really like this version. It is very well done the colors do not look fake and bring out the details of the film which one could not always see in B and W. This movie color or Black and White is a true wonder to see. It is a gift from the not so distant past. The back drops and props bring in memories of the grand old amusement parks like Coney Island, or roadside America and The late Great Danbury Fair in CT. Full of fantasy and bewitching fun. Laurel and Hardy bring a magic to this film that should be seen by all. Buy it it is great for the kids and for the whole family

A perfect restoration and colorization.......2007-01-25

It wasn't until I saw this DVD that I finally had a chance to see the entire original opening title sequence. The restoration was done with great care and the "paint job" is properly cheerful considering the content and story. Of course, the movie is a holiday classic and a must for your kids. You need to teach them that there was a time when a set of wooden soldiers was a big deal!

DVD:

DVD

Snake in Eagle's Shadow 2 (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: The Pyx (AKA The Hooker Cult Murders)

The Ten Commandments