Babes In Toyland (1961) ***1/2
Though my love of Babes In Toyland (1961) basically stems from nostalgia (I watched the film practically every day at the daycare I attended when I was young), though Tom & Mary's relationship dynamic is incredibly antiquated, and though I freely admit that the film has plenty of flaws (it drags at times, not all of the "songs" work), I can't help but revisit it around Christmastime every few years or so.
Despite the flaws, there is still much to appreciate—Ray Bolger's weird but sinisterly archetypical villain Barnaby, Ed Wynn's wonderfully whacky and oddly cruel Toymaker, the beautiful costumes and sets, and the impressive stop motion toy soldier sequence—all bought to life in Technicolor. Disney's first live action musical may not be its best, but it continues to bring me great joy.
Despite the flaws, there is still much to appreciate—Ray Bolger's weird but sinisterly archetypical villain Barnaby, Ed Wynn's wonderfully whacky and oddly cruel Toymaker, the beautiful costumes and sets, and the impressive stop motion toy soldier sequence—all bought to life in Technicolor. Disney's first live action musical may not be its best, but it continues to bring me great joy.
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