Description

Enjoy a happy excursion into the world of Mother Goose in Walt Disney's first musical production! All roads lead to magical, merry Toyland as Mary Contrary and Tom Piper prepare for their wedding! But villainous Barnaby wants Mary for himself, so he kidnaps Tom, setting off a series of comic chases, searches, and double-crosses! The "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" helps put Barnaby in his place, and ensures a "happily ever after" for Tom and Mary! This joyful musical fantasy is a delightful experience for the whole family! ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Marching Wooden Soldiers
This DVD release of this film adds nothing to the VHS, so do not think you are getting a better copy. No Widescreen, no re-mastering, and no extras. I will keep my VHS copy for now. Now on to the original film itself:

In this 1961 film was the first true live-action musical from the Walt Disney Studio, Tommy Sands is paired up with America's girl next door who got her start with Walt Disney, Annette Funicello. Also the famous Ray Bolger and Ed Wynn are featured, and Ann Jillian was a child actor in this movie. There is more great talent from the Disney in-house stable of stars, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran, who played brothers in "Old Yeller", and "Swiss Family Robinson".

The story is simple enough, we are in Mother Goose land and the villain shrinks our heroes to toy size. They must enlist help from the toys in the Toymaker's shop to fight back. The effects were eye-popping at the time, and to see a toy army coming to life and fight the bad guys is a great treat for kids. The movie has some real fun stop motion style animation, where the toys are made to look like they are alive (30 years before computer animation did it for "Toy Story"). The Christmas parade at Disneyland has featured replicas of the marching soldiers from this film for over 40 years. The beautiful wooden toys that are seen in the film were all designed by veteran animator Ward Kimball. (X. Atencio and Bill Justice joined Ward on the stop-animation to bring the custom made toys to life).

The movie was promoted in advance on the Walt Disney television show, in a 1961 episode that also promoted "The Parent Trap", (the episode is "The Title Makers"). The film was promoted again that year in an episode called "Backstage Party", which celebrated the completion of the film and gave the viewers a tour of the studio. The sets specially built at the studio were so unique, they found a temporary home at Disneyland from the films release to 1963, and people could actually visit them inside the Opera House on Main Street.

The best part of the film is the music, which is the true star of any musical. The musical score features 11 songs from the in-house team of George Bruns (music) and Mel Leven (lyrics), and their score was nominated for an Academy Award.

But even with the music, great stars, incredible sets, special effects, nice costumes, the script and dialogue left a lot to be desired so the film is a dud for adults. Uncle Walt hated the end product, but gamely tried to promote it as best he could and use it as an exercise for the studio to lean from. Just 4 years later he released the studios biggest live-action fim ever, a musical to beat all musicals, "Mary Poppins". The lesson had worked.

Watch Babes in Toyland with light expectations, see it for the toys, and enjoy the music.

Not quite a classic but still an exceptional holiday movie
While it can't quite compare to the exemplary Laurel & Hardy 'March Of The Wooden Soldiers' this 1961 Disney version of the classic Victor Herbert operetta remains perfect holiday entertainment for young children. As always you can rely on any Walt Disney film from this era, their golden age, to have a terrific music score replete with memorable songs, the requisite slapstick routines, a nasty villain you love to hate and of course a happy ending. Ed Wynn as the Toymaker, Ray Bolger as the heavy, Mr. Barnaby, and especially Henry Calvin and Gene Sheldon as the hapless duo who assist Barnaby in his evil scheme are all fine; the climax of the film featuring the now legendary attack of the toy soldiers is handled quite well also. The set design is well conceived and the photography is excellent making great use of the brilliant and splashy colors scattered throughout. While it is thoroughly entertaining for the young audience at which it is squarely aimed to please it could be heavy going for adults who don't favor Disney films. My advice is to relax, take off your thinking cap temporarily and enjoy the onscreen shenanigans and exuberant musical numbers presented here.

What Was the Original Aspect Ratio for This Movie?
Babes in Toyland, Disneys remake of the old black and white Laurel and Hardy classic March of the Wooden Soldiers is a good movie and has bright colors that reminds me of movies like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and like those movies Babes in Toyland has cute catchy songs and delightful acting. Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Tommy Kirk and the rest of the cast are a delight and it's nice that this movie is now on DVD but I have heard that the movie on this DVD is only presented in fullscreen and not widescreen. Was this movie filmed in widescreen or fullframe? I see the movie was made in the 1960's and by then widescreen was how the majority of theatrical movies were filmed so I wouldn't want to buy this DVD if it was edited.

Its great!
Iffin ya want the real Babes in Toyland this is the movie you want! Its got little boy blue, its got peter piper, its got a lot of the characters from mother goose rhymes. The characters discussions are great and unless you pay attention ya won't notice that they speak in rhyme it flows that great. They go visit the toymaker after they have stumbled into the forest of no return, the help him make the toys since his assitant grumio made a right royal mess and blew up a lot of the toy factory. I have seen several different versions of the Babes in Toyland but this is the only one that I think does justice to it!

What a wonderous Journey!!!!!
Just when you feel you cannot find a movie that you could bare to show to young childrenand adults at the same time,here it comes, dancing along with a lovely lilt. It's one of those movies that will bring joy and happy memroies to you and create them for your children as they join Barnaby, Mary, Tom, Mother goose and everyone else in this perils of Pauline style movie. The movie stars Ray Bolger as Barnaby, the evil, but cute and lovable villian who has his infamous stovepipe hat that seems almost as tall as he is, dances around cape in tow, chasing Mary about, because he wants her inheritance. Ray's dancing and old comic villian style add to the uniqueness of this movie. Ray showed yet another wonder facet of his amazing talent here. He plots to drown Mary's fiancee, Tom, and the plan later falls through, with Mary and Tom marrying at the end. The movie has no vulgar language, no sexual innudendoes, no real viewable violence, and is a delightful story. Your family will love the slightly loudmouthed goose who really tries to lay it into barnaby for being so evil. Great movie, I highly recommend it. ;-) Mrs. Barnaby ... Read more

Description

14 thirty-minute episodes on 2 DVD's

The Lucy Show (October 1, 1962 - September 2, 1974) firmly established the lovable redhead, Lucille Ball, as the First Lady of American Television.After her divorce from Desi Arnaz, she created the series on her own and was immediately enmbraced by the public.Her special brand of slapstick humor plays off famous guest stars and Gale Gordon who joined the show in 1963 as Mr. Mooney.

Disc 1
1. Lucy and George Burns with Guest, George Burns (9-12-66)

2. Lucy and the Submarine (9-19-66)
3. Lucy and the Bean Queen with Guest, Ed Begley (9-26-66)
4. Lucy Gets a Roommate with Guest, Carol Burnett (10-31-66)
5. Lucy and Carol in Palm Springs with Guest, Carol Burnett (11-07-66)
6. Lucy and John Wayne with Guest, John Wayne (11-21-66)
7. Lucy and Pat Collins with Guest, Pat Collins (11-28-66)

Disc 2
1. Lucy and Main Street U.S.A. with Guest, Mel Torme (1-23-67)
2. Lucy Meets the Law (2-13-67)
3. Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard with Guest, Sheldon Leonard (3-06-67)
4. Lucy Meets the Berles with Guests, Milton Berle and Ruta Lee (9-11-67)
5. Lucy the Starmaker with Guest, Frankie Avalon (10-02-67)
6. Lucy as the Little Old Lady with Guest, Dennis Day (10-23-67)
7. Lucy Meets Robert Goulet with Guest, Robert Goulet (10-30-67) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Don't expect great picture or sound quality
My husband bought this set for me as a Christmas gift. I absolutely love Lucy regardless of the show, but I was sorely disappointed in the picture and sound quality of these DVDs. Neither of us expected cutting-edge sound or ultra-crisp video, but we did figure the video quality would be a little better than a third-generation copy dubbed off a VCR with dirty heads. Lucy's funny as usual, but we can't help but think that the biggest laugh on this DVD set was on us! Lucy's performance: 3 stars. DVD quality: -2 stars.

What a Disappointment
I love the original episodes included here, but unfortunately, the prints from which these DVD's were made are of very bad quality. Some of the episodes are not even complete. Picture and sound quality are poor. Do not be fooled by the slick packaging.

AGAIN NOT A REVIEW
While it is true that DVD makers have adopted the communist way and are trying to prevent information to freely circulate around the world through regional coding, the good news is that any free person can buy a DVD player that plays all region coding in a few High Street reputable electronics stores in France (FNAC and Virgin).

Not really a review.....
I wish I could rate this DVD! But again the companies let the European Lucy Ball Fans down. First we could not buy VHS video-tapes released in USA, due to the different TV-systems..... So we hoped for the releases on DVD. But guess what: Region Codings.... Thus again: No Lucy Ball for her European Fans..... A pity and a missed chance! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Hope it gets a good DVD release....
Which is to say with bonus features. The show ran on CBS from 1970 to 1975, and was a rateings success for almost all the time it was on.The chemistry between Tony and Jack was great.The first season shows were also very hilarious and retained the atmosphere of the stage production by Neil Simon. Hopefully the DVD release will contain cast and crew interviews.

ODD COUPLE has NEVER jumped the shark
So what are these geniuses waiting for?

The same thing with Tony Randall's funny movie from the 1950s "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?"In it with him were Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Joan Blondell and Groucho Marx (in a hilarious cameo).

They'll put junk out but not the good stuff!

Best sitcom ever - NOT ON DVD YET!!!!!!!!
It is just unbelivable that the Odd TV series has not yet made it to DVD . With all the CR@P new shows out that make it to DVD 2 months after they first air I am shocked that one of the best loved TV series has not yet made it. To the producers or persons in charge of potentially releasing the Odd couple on DVD. You stand to loose a TON of $money$ by not releasing all 144 episodes ASAP. You will be Forcing FANS everywhere to purchase bootleg DVD's which are Readily available Worldwide on the internet. Help the Fans and yourselves by doing justice to the best show ever on TV and give us what we want before it's too late.

Who are the Rocket Scientists that are holding this up?
Wait a minute. I'm reading your lips. You're saying "I much fear" some lunatic holding up the release of this series!"And you're right. Every time I see that some completely unfunny show like "The Golden Girls" has been released on DVD before this series, I cringe!There must be an "enormous woman" blocking the release of this show. And just like Aristophanes, this is ridiculous.So, Let's Make a Deal, Monte -- release this show and I'll buy 10 copies, and I promise not to trade them for one more can of squid.

RELEASE THE ODD COUPLE ON DVD OR I'LL DIE!!!!
I just can't believe this absolutely wonderful series has not gotten the respect of being released on dvd!!!! I grew up watching this show and simply adored Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. For years I did'nt even know the show was based on the play and feature film of the Odd Couple and did'nt care! To me Tony Randall and Jack Klugman were the original Felix and Oscar, they were so perfectly cast.

I especially loved when they would do flashbacks when Oscar and Felix were married to Blanche and Gloria, because it allowed you to see the characters in a diferent setting before they got divorced, which made you understand why Felix drove Gloria crazy despite the love they still had for one another.

I have so many favorite episodes it's hard to choose but, I just love the ones when Oscar and Felix went on the game shows Password and Let's Make a Deal. They were simply hilarious!
I also loved the time when Felix stole the Lassie like dog that was being verbally mistreated by his owner. Needless to say Felix Unger was my hero, he always tried to do the right thing but went about it in the wrong way. I suppose that was part of his appeal and he was a true neat master.

WELL PARAMOUNT STUDIOS YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO RELEASE THE ODD COUPLE ON DVD IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH!!!! ... Read more