Babes in Toyland (1934)

Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil ... See full summary »

Directors:

Gus Meins, Charley Rogers

Writers:

Frank Butler (screen play), Nick Grinde (screen play),

Stars:

Virginia Karns, Charlotte Henry, Stan Laurel

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Virginia Karns	...	Mother Goose
Charlotte Henry	...	Bo-Peep
Felix Knight	...	Tom-Tom
Florence Roberts	...	Widow Peep
Henry Brandon	...	Barnaby (as Henry Kleinbach)
Stan Laurel	...	Stannie Dum
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie Dee

Storyline

Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley Dum instead of Bo Peep. Enraged, Barnaby unleashes the bogeymen from their caverns to destroy Toyland.

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Plot Keywords:

mortgage | lifting someone into the air | shot in the butt | eviction | veil | 

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Taglines:

1 and 1/2 hours of laughter!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

March of the Wooden Soldiers

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min 73 min (re-release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This Hal Roach comedy starred Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy and had a costumed mouse which looked strangely like Mickey Mouse, a Walt Disney character. The 1961 Disney remake (Babes in Toyland) featured two comedians obviously impersonating Laurel and Hardy.

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Goofs

As the wooden soldiers approach the Boogey men, Barnaby is holding Bo Peep in his arms, but when they fire the cannon shot that knocks him down, she is gone.

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Quotes

Stannie Dum: [Ollie takes a note from the money purse and tries to read. Stan turns it right-side-up. The note says "I.O.U $1.47'] I borrowed it.
Ollie Dee: I know you borrowed it. What I want to know is, what did you borrow it for?
Stannie Dum: Well, I lost all me pee-wees playing with Little Jack Horner, and I had to get some more.

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Crazy Credits

(main title of re-release version) March of the Wooden Soldiers formerly Babes in Toyland

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Connections

Version of Babes in Toyland (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Toyland"
(1903) (uncredited)
Music by Victor Herbert
Lyrics by Glen MacDonough
Played during the opening credits
Sung by Virginia Karns and Chorus

User Reviews

A classic in every sense of the word!!!

This movie has always been known to me as "March of the Wooden Soldiers, and has always had a special place in my memories of my childhood. I remember it was always shown on Thanksgiving Day after the Macy's parade, but we children would never be able to see the whole thing because it came on right at dinner time (this was long before VCR's). This is a wonderful, endearing film... bringing out the essence of childhood and the simplistic joys of make believe. Laurel and Hardy are their usual wonderful selves in this film. All the lead actors were wonderful, especially Henry Brandon as Barnaby -- oh, how he scared me as a child! I especially enjoyed the singing of Charlotte Henry and Felix Knight. When my work took me overseas, I made sure I had a copy of this movie with me so that I could continue the tradition of watching it each year on or close to Thanksgiving. Like that other holiday favorite of mine, Miracle on 34th Street (original version), this is a true classic -- a staple for the holiday season.