Customer Reviews

Babes In Toyland (1986)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I loved this film as a child, treasuring the "taped from the TV" version well into my twenties. When I finally purchased the video, I was disappointed to realize that the VHS is edited, eliminating some transitional dialogue and two songs ("jail break" and the one where Jack and Mary are singing in jail). It is still a charming story that will be passed along for generations to come, but I will be sure to hold on to the "tv version" that has every aspect of the film. It would be terrific if ORION released a DVD version of this film with all of the uncut scenes in it!

BABES IN TOYLAND was an ambitous made-for-TV musical starring child sensation Drew Barrymore, and bankrolled by the Finnegan/Pinchuk Company. With a charming and whimsical score by Leslie Bricusse and featuring a very young Keanu Reeves, this updated version of BABES IN TOYLAND makes for charming family viewing, especially at Christmas.

One snowy Christmas Eve, a car accident catapults Lisa Piper (Drew Barrymore) into the enchanted world of Toyland. Once there, she quickly gets involved in the lives of it's inhabitants; joining forces with Jack (Keanu Reeves), Mary Contrary (Jill Schoelen) and Georgy (Googy Gress) to rid Toyland once and for all of the evil Barnaby Barnacle (Richard Mulligan).

The story is unashamedly sentimental; the screenplay by Paul Zindel seems to rip off elements from THE WIZARD OF OZ in that the main Toyland characters seem to resemble people Lisa knows back on Earth (Mary is her sister, Jack is Mary's boyfriend, Georgy is a family friend, Barnaby is a mean-spirited toyshop owner and Mary's mother is Lisa's mother).

It's quite horrifying to realise that this was around the time that Drew Barrymore started getting into drugs and alcohol (looking at the angelic girl on the screen it's even more shocking). Fans from the 80's will delight in seeing Jill Schoelen and Googy Gress in their heyday. Co-starring Pat Morita and Eileen Brennan.

Out of my fondness for earlier versions of Babes in Toyland, I tried this one. My 11 year old daughter was with me, and at first we were put off by the horrendous acting, directing, writing, and production values, and then we began to find them funny. We watched the whole thing, and and had a great time making fun of it. We plan to keep our tape as a Christmas classic of popcorn camp. It includes a stellar cast, each turning in the worst performances of their careers. Just try to look at poor Keanu Reaves and imagine him becoming a real actor -- it can't be done! And sweet little Drew, who was so precious as a child actor, and would turn into a fine adult actress, well here, at this in-between age -- all I can say is, "bless her heart."

I saw this The day of when we got out for Christmas break. I loved it.They edited the song about the breakout,on ABC Family .when I see Lisa,The Toymaker and Georgie Pogie tied to those chairs,I have an urge to change into a superheroine with my partner in crimefighting,3 sidekicks and 2 assistants and saying"Heel,Heel" to those things. snap our fingers and viola,they are free.I would love to have the DVD.

This is perhaps the worst made for tv christmas special ever broadcast. The acting in the claymation of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer merits an Oscar in comparison. How Keneau Reeves and Drew Barrymore put this behind themselves is the real question. Watch it only in 5 minute segments or your brain may explode.

I have loved this movie for so many years and have it on VHS, but sadly don't have a VHS player anymore. Can anyone tell me where to find this movie on DVD? I would love to have my son watch it and enjoy this version as much as I do.

this movie was in very good condition when I got it. I expected it to be a little beaten up because it is a VHS and cases for them aren't always very sturdy. It played great though and it brought back old times with me and my family. It was definitely a good price and worth it.

This movie was definitely made with the idea of entertaining youth rather than for the enjoyment of adults. For children it is a fun movie and I am glad that my kids like to watch it. It will never be a classic Christmas film like "A Christmas Carol" but it is a good family holiday film.

the product was suppose to be new but it arrived in an unsealed box.The seller made good on this item.Thank you sir

i was impressed on how well this vhs tape was taken care of and it played very well. especially since its an old copy, and i recieved it in mint condition. would deffinatly say the person is a trusted seller :)