Blu-ray Review – Babes in Toyland (1961)

"Babes in Toyland" represented a bold step forward for Walt Disney in
1961. His first live-action musical, the mogul proceeded carefully with
the work, updated from the operetta by Victor Herbert, casting
fan-favorite and loyal Mouseketeer Annette Funicello (the girl who
launched an entire generation of boys into puberty) in the lead role,
while filling the frame with all kinds of advanced Disney wizardry to
keep audiences amazed and, at times, distracted. Experimental in nature
but familiar in design, the picture is a mixed bag of delights, with the
majority of its success tied to the designers and animators, who bring a
surprising amount of invention to the screen, working to open up the
limited stage setting Disney requested. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com