Babes in Toyland (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Introduced by 'ole Mother Goose (Mary McCarty) & her sassy-mouthed goose Sylvester, 'Babes in Toyland' (a jovial live-action Disney musical directed by Jack Donohue) commences as an elaborate show, with curtains parting to reveal Mother Goose Village in a magical land of nursery rhyme characters, i.e. Jack & his candlestick, Simple Simon & his pies. Though it's mostly shot on a set, this is still a gorgeous film with rich Technicolor cinematography, unique production design, costumes, dancing, singing, & offers plenty of high-octane energy & advanced Disney wizardry, to boot. The filmmakers do a wonderful job with visual effects, giving the film a cartoony mood to appease child viewers; and keeping all the plot antics boisterous.
A wedding day approaches for Mary Contrary & Tom Piper (Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands), with their township of nursery rhyme characters overwhelmed with joy. Less approving is the villainous Barnaby (Ray Bolger, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz), who covets Mary for himself, thus claiming an inheritance. Hiring goons Roderigo & Gonzorgo to kill Tom by throwing him into the sea & steal Mary's beloved sheep, Barnaby sets his devious plan in motion, hoping she'll have no choice but to marry him. Trying to turn a profit, Gonzorgo & Roderigo secretly sell Tom to a gaggle of Gypsies, returning to Barnaby without proof of his death.
In a hilarious scene, Tom dresses in drag to rescue Mary; thus, revealing himself to Barnaby as alive. All seems well. But matters worsen for Mary again when Little Bo Peep (11 yr. old Ann Jillian) & Boy Blue get lost in the enchanted Forest of No Return; forcing Mary & Tom to go after them. They all gather in Toyland, where they try to help the Toymaker (Ed Wynn) & his invention-happy assistant Grumio (Tommy Kirk) meet their quota for Santa Claus; despite the continued meddlings on Barnaby - who is hot on their trail. A Christmas miracle would be in store.
'Babes ...' was made in that wonderful time that predates political correctness in cinema (where certain behaviors/plot points would never fly today). Perhaps the most intriguing narrative twist is Barnaby's plan to murder Tom to get Mary. The macabre, yet cheery "We Won't Be Happy Till We Get It" slapstick/musical number which is devoted to this murderous scheme helps soften the inherent horror of the act. Later in the movie, Mary, believing to be abandoned by both Tom & her sheep, frets about her future with intimidating mortgage figures in "I Can't Do The Sum". It's a bizarre song/dance number of multicolored multiplicity that Annette Funicello pulls off well. And yet, the message is joyfully ridiculous; showing Mary as a simpleton who is stymied by the simplest financial woes. It's so silly. But I love it! I actually find that the datedness of the proceedings enlivens the entertainment factor of 'Babes in Toyland'.
Ray Bolger gives a humorously bug-eyed portrayal as the nasty, yet simultaneously charming villain. He's icky, yet Bolger makes it easy to forget that he would love to see Tom die a horrific death {haha}. Accepting the Laurel & Hardy roles from the 1934 film version, Gene Sheldon & Henry Calvin amuse with their physical antics/comedic timing as Barnaby's henchmen. Funicello isn't a great thespian, but used for her marquee value & feminine appeal, she executes the role of Mary with ease. She's pretty, angelic, sings well ... that's all that's needed of her. 'Babes in Toyland' is not groundbreaking, but it is chock-full of entertainment value. The song & dance numbers are wholly engaging. And there are more than enough tomfoolery/shenanigans about to fuel this folky tale of heroes, villains, & happily ever afters.
A wedding day approaches for Mary Contrary & Tom Piper (Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands), with their township of nursery rhyme characters overwhelmed with joy. Less approving is the villainous Barnaby (Ray Bolger, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz), who covets Mary for himself, thus claiming an inheritance. Hiring goons Roderigo & Gonzorgo to kill Tom by throwing him into the sea & steal Mary's beloved sheep, Barnaby sets his devious plan in motion, hoping she'll have no choice but to marry him. Trying to turn a profit, Gonzorgo & Roderigo secretly sell Tom to a gaggle of Gypsies, returning to Barnaby without proof of his death.
In a hilarious scene, Tom dresses in drag to rescue Mary; thus, revealing himself to Barnaby as alive. All seems well. But matters worsen for Mary again when Little Bo Peep (11 yr. old Ann Jillian) & Boy Blue get lost in the enchanted Forest of No Return; forcing Mary & Tom to go after them. They all gather in Toyland, where they try to help the Toymaker (Ed Wynn) & his invention-happy assistant Grumio (Tommy Kirk) meet their quota for Santa Claus; despite the continued meddlings on Barnaby - who is hot on their trail. A Christmas miracle would be in store.
'Babes ...' was made in that wonderful time that predates political correctness in cinema (where certain behaviors/plot points would never fly today). Perhaps the most intriguing narrative twist is Barnaby's plan to murder Tom to get Mary. The macabre, yet cheery "We Won't Be Happy Till We Get It" slapstick/musical number which is devoted to this murderous scheme helps soften the inherent horror of the act. Later in the movie, Mary, believing to be abandoned by both Tom & her sheep, frets about her future with intimidating mortgage figures in "I Can't Do The Sum". It's a bizarre song/dance number of multicolored multiplicity that Annette Funicello pulls off well. And yet, the message is joyfully ridiculous; showing Mary as a simpleton who is stymied by the simplest financial woes. It's so silly. But I love it! I actually find that the datedness of the proceedings enlivens the entertainment factor of 'Babes in Toyland'.
Ray Bolger gives a humorously bug-eyed portrayal as the nasty, yet simultaneously charming villain. He's icky, yet Bolger makes it easy to forget that he would love to see Tom die a horrific death {haha}. Accepting the Laurel & Hardy roles from the 1934 film version, Gene Sheldon & Henry Calvin amuse with their physical antics/comedic timing as Barnaby's henchmen. Funicello isn't a great thespian, but used for her marquee value & feminine appeal, she executes the role of Mary with ease. She's pretty, angelic, sings well ... that's all that's needed of her. 'Babes in Toyland' is not groundbreaking, but it is chock-full of entertainment value. The song & dance numbers are wholly engaging. And there are more than enough tomfoolery/shenanigans about to fuel this folky tale of heroes, villains, & happily ever afters.