Babes in Toyland (1961)

Movie review by Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media
Babes in Toyland (1961) Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 5+

Live-action Mother Goose musical with mild slapstick action.

G 1961 105 minutes
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Parents say

age 9+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 2+

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Babes in Toyland (1961) was Walt Disney Studio's first live-action musical release. Halfway between a play and a movie, much of the piece takes place "onstage," using painted sets and contained in a theater-size area. One of a number of productions based on Victor Herbert's 1903 operetta, dancing, singing, and familiar Mother Goose characters are at the center of this movie. A thin story about a dastardly villain attempting to upset the wedding plans of Mary-Mary and Tom-Tom, the Piper's son, simply moves the action from one set piece to another. Only very young kids, not yet able to distinguish real violence from cartoon violence, might be bothered by the exaggerated, mustache-twirling, comic malevolence of Mr. Barnaby or by the farcical action in which characters slip, fall, get hit over the head with a mallet, and get lost in a forest filled with mildly menacing talking trees.

Community Reviews

Kaybi03
Kaybi03 Adult
January 22, 2021
age 18+

Very misogynistic and racist

Outwardly, it seems like a sweet and simple movie about toys and Mother Goose characters, but unfortunately the time period of this film is reflected in its view of women and “otherness.” There is a song that perpetuates the caricature of the Romani people (known as gypsies at the time). There are also two songs disparaging the female lead, one in which she berates herself for being too dumb to keep a household budget, and one in which the male lead explains to her that she is “just a toy” for his amusement. This movie is awful.
GenYmomsocoolright
GenYmomsocoolright Adult
December 4, 2020
age 4+

Doesn’t have much to do with Christmas

My 5 year old watched this. He has a good attention span for movies, and sat through this thoroughly entertained. I however was a little bored. It’s long! It’s a musical, so there’s dancing and absurdity. Some parts are dated, Mary the main character is the “prize” but not just for her good looks, for her money too! Also, she’s too dumb to figure out her own finances. She sings a song about how dumb she is. (I’m over simplifying) Also there are “gypsies” and yeah that whole segment seems pretty racist.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
See all 3 parent reviews

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

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