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Babes in Toyland (1961)

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Average Rating: 4.3/10
Reviews Counted: 8
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 6

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 9,959

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Movie Info

This second film adaptation of the Victor Herbert operetta Babes in Toyland was producer Walt Disney's Christmas offering for 1961. The 1903 Herbert original had very little in the way of a plot, so screenwriters Joe Rinaldi, Lowell S. Hawley, and Ward Kimball lifted elements from the 1934 filmization of Toyland, which starred Laurel and Hardy. Annette Funicello plays Mary Contrary, about to wed Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) in the heart of Mother Goose Village. The villainous Barnaby (Ray Bolger),

G, 1 hr. 45 min.

Kids & Family, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: Jack Donohue

Written By: Lowell S. Hawley, Ward Kimball

In Theaters: Dec 14, 1961 Limited

On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Buena Vista

Cast

Ray Bolger
Barnaby
Tommy Sands
Tom Piper
Annette Funicello
Mary Contrary
Ed Wynn
Toymaker
Tommy Kirk
Grumio
Kevin Corcoran
Boy Blue
Henry Calvin
Gonzorgo
Gene Sheldon
Roderigo
Mary McCarty
Mother Goose
Ann Jillian
Bo Peep
Brian Corcoran
Willie Winkie
Marilee & Melanie Arnold
Twins
Jerry Glenn
Simple Simon
John Perri
Jack-be-Nimble
David Pinson
Bobby Shaftoe
Bryan Russell
The Little Boy
James Martin
Jack

Critic Reviews for Babes in Toyland

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (6) | DVD (1)

a flat, stagy, artificially cheerful affair that falls far short of the memorably creepy Laurel and Hardy version of 1934.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Disney's first live-action musical is the second, inferior version of Victor Herbert's operetta; the first, in 1934, stars Laurel and Hardy.

January 26, 2012 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

So-so 1961 Disney take with Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, and Ed Wynn.

October 24, 2004 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

Where are Laurel and Hardy when you need them?

August 27, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

A disgrace to the memory of Laurel and Hardy and the Hal Roach original.

December 25, 2002 Comment

Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

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Audience Reviews for Babes in Toyland

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its a disney classic i love this movie but you hae to keep in mind that its an very old film so the graphics, acting and props arent great!! But its a great light hearted film

April 14, 2009

Film Crazy

Super Reviewer

A flick from my youth. This was Disney's first live action musical production and I think it's pretty good. There isn't much to it story wise or even with the acting but I think it's a good one for the kids.Upon watching it again for the first time in decades I was happy with the nostalgia of the film but a little bored in the watching of it.

November 24, 2007