Babes in Toyland

Release Date: December 14, 1961

Watch Date: December 1, 2024

“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 Soliders’ 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!”

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   This movie is apparently a Christmas movie, to some. To enough people that it makes it on the Christmas list. I think it’s because there’s a toy maker, and it originally came out eleven days before Christmas. And it’s very kiddy, very nursery rhymes.

   Let’s be clear though, this is not a Christmas movie. It’s a movie. It’s a musical. It’s a bad one. But it’s not a Christmas movie.

   I could barely get Bob to watch through any of this, and the best part is clearly the villain, and that’s mostly because he’s over the top goofy. But the plot is terrible. The songs are not memorable. And honestly, I will be happy to never have to watch this movie again.

To some people, I think it’s a classic, and if you think it is a classic, maybe leave a comment and try to explain to me why, because I really don’t see it.

   It was fun to see some returning child actors, like the kid from Old Yeller and Shaggy Dog, and I think also the kid from Pollyanna? The toymaker has also been in a few Disney movies.

   I don’t really have much to say about this one. It’s boring. It’s boring and pastel and washed out and I’m hoping that the rest of our Christmas movies have a little bit more spunk to them. A little bit more of that Christmas magic. If we ever have time to watch them!