Back in 1961, Disney went into a live-action foray with their film Babes in Toyland.
The film stars Annette Funicello and Ray Bolger, and follows sees a couple named Tom and Mary who are set to be married. However, all of that is threatened when the villainous Barnaby, played by Bolger, plans to have Tom killed so that he can wed Mary. After realizing that once she weds someone, she will inherit a large sum of money.
It’s typical family fanfare, and that’s exactly why I love it. The film never takes itself too seriously and feels like it’s always having fun no matter what the stakes are. That’s just my opinion though.
Despite it being Walt Disney’s first major live-action studio film, and its star, Annette Funicello, notably calling it one of her favorite filmmaking experiences, the film was not received well by critics. While critics aren’t always right, I think it’s a film that never really gets talked about it as much as it should. There are three reason why:
1. Nostalgia
Granted, one thing that makes me love this movie more and more are the circumstances that I watched it under. When I was a kid growing up in the 2000s, I watched this film with my family on the VHS tape (yes, it’s true that I, Richard Schertzer, am old enough to know what VHS tapes are). I still remember how colorful and majestic the film looked. It’s still something that I (obviously) still think about.
But everything about this movie radiates nostalgia, from the production to the music and even the themes. Despite its holiday aesthetic and association, it’s a film that was made for kids to watch at any time of the year. And that’s why I truly think it’s timeless. At its core, it’s a classic feel-good Disney movie perfect for any occasion.
2. Zany Characters
Now, the characters are incredibly bombastic and silly to the point that I was mimicking almost every line of dialogue that they spoke. Moreover, the characters prove to be unique and special in their own right.
Mary is a sweet young lady with good intentions. Gonzorgo and Roderigo are the bumbling pair of idiotic antagonists (reminiscent of Honest John and Gideon from Pinocchio), and Barnaby is a sly and devious villain with a malevolent taste in his mouth. Good or evil, each character has a role to play, and they all make this feel like a classic Disney fairytale.
3. Ray Bolger
Speaking of Bolger, his performance is probably the best part about this movie. He walks such a fine line between evil and charismatic that it’s almost enjoyable. Considering that he was also the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, the fact that his villain here is almost as maniacal as the Wicked Witch of the West really makes you appreciate his range.
Modern Disney villains in general (Marvel and Star Wars included) have become mostly one dimensional these days. They are so formulaic and so flavorless that they become instantly forgettable. But anyone who watches Bolger in this will immediately understand what movie villains should be and why this movie should not be forgotten.
In case you haven’t seen it, or want to experience the magic that I did as a child, Babes in Toyland is available to stream right now on Disney+.
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