It's officially Christmas time!!! As far movies went in the 60's, a lot of musicals weren't seen as each decade tends to move on to a new genre. Disney's Babes In Toyland is a rare film that is probably underrated. We don't know why that is, but what we do know is why we'd love it.
Once upon a time in Mother Goose Village, Mary Quite Contrary is about to marry Tom Piper. Meanwhile, an evil Mr. Barnaby is plotting to get rid of Tom in order to get to the fortune that Mary will inherit. Instead of drowning Tom, the two bumbling henchmen Barnaby hired sell him to a band of gypsies to get paid more. With Tom gone and Bo Peep's sheep that Mary depend on stolen, Mary has no choice but to marry Barnaby. To celebrate, Barnaby hires a band of gypsies to entertain everyone, unknowing that they're the same gypsies Tom was sold. Tom returns, and now he and Mary along with the children Mary takes care of find themselves in Toyland. Babes In Toyland is colorful in such a way that it isn't boring but doesn't look like a cartoon too much at the same time. That's some skill right there! Some of the shapes do suggest a slightly cartoon look, such as the green boards shown behind Mr. Barnaby, but most of the color in the film is only applied to look bright and cheerful. This is obvious on the architecture in the film. The clothes look colorful too, but the shades are a little lighter and don't have unusual shapes to them.
I find the set of Babes In Toyland worthy of some praise. The Forest of No Return looked like an actual dark forest. For all the sets that were outdoors, the backgrounds aren't obvious and look like the sky. I especially like the indoor sets as well the colorful furnishings. A lot of the things in the set are well textured, which helps the overall look of the film.
A word concerning the music: All the songs in Babes In Toyland are either something that makes you want to dance, or something you can't help but sing along to. But some people have said that some of it is slighlt sexist. Why? With one particular song, Just A Toy, Tom is singing to Mary. Smiling eyes, silken hair, you'll need such loving care, you're just a toy....If you listen to the entire song, it doesn't sound so bad, since the song starts with Mary singing about a doll they just finished working in the toy maker's workshop. P.S I totally fell in love with that doll as a kid. Anyone else? Do you agree with this? Feel free to request a Christmas film to see this season on ETF! Also be sure to like, comment, share, and follow to always come back for more Enchanted Tales of Film!
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