Babes in Toyland (1961)
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Live-action Mother Goose musical with mild slapstick action.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Babes in Toyland (1961)
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Based on 3 parent reviews
Very misogynistic and racist
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Doesn’t have much to do with Christmas
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What's the Story?
Mary-Mary Quite Contrary (Annette Funicello) and Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) are getting married in BABES IN TOYLAND (1961). Unfortunately, Mr. Barnaby (Ray Bolger), the mustache-twirling comic villain, has other ideas. Aware that Mary-Mary is due to come into a large sum of money, Mr. Barnaby plans to get rid of Tom and marry Mary-Mary himself. To aid his dastardly cause, he enlists the help of two bumbling henchmen, who succeed in making all kinds of trouble for the happy couple. Other Mother Goose characters aid Mary-Mary, save Tom, and outwit Mr. Barnaby. In the midst of the chaos Mr. Barnaby has perpetrated, the heroes find themselves in Toyland, where they encounter the Chief Toymaker (Ed Wynn) along with his inventor-assistant and end up helping save Christmas.
Is It Any Good?
This movie offered many features appealing to kids, back when it was released. It had silly inventions, especially one that can shrink people; the lovable Ed Wynn as Toyland's Chief Toymaker; and the participation of some of the 1960s' major pop music stars. However, for today's viewers, this stagy, artificial film feels formulaic and doesn't have the vibrancy, innovation, or magic of the musical movies for families that soon followed (Mary Poppins, Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang). Still, the rosy-cheeked Mother Goose characters, the terrific dance numbers, and the Victor Herbert songs are enough to entertain most kids. As for comedy and slapstick, the 1934 filmed version of this operetta, which featured Laurel and Hardy as the bumbling, villainous sidekicks, is called March of the Wooden Soldiers and is considered the best Toyland of all.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bringing Mother Goose to life. Why is it so much fun to watch characters with whom we're already familiar? Are the characters in this movie true to the storybook verses you've read? Which, if any, surprised you?
Find out about the different versions of Babes in Toyland that have been filmed or staged. What is the origin of the very first production? What do you think makes this tale special enough to be remade so many times?
This movie is based on a play (in this case, an operetta). In what way or ways does this movie retain elements that would be found in a musical play?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 14, 1961
- On DVD or streaming: September 3, 2002
- Cast: Ray Bolger, Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands
- Director: Jack Donohue
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre: Musical
- Topics: Book Characters, Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 105 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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