MovieChat Forums > Babes in Toyland (1961) Discussion > The most traumatic film of my childhood

The most traumatic film of my childhood


I have seen my fair share of scary movies, many of which I had no business seeing at a young age (ex: Predator, Alien, Halloween, Hellraiser etc.), but this one bothered me the most, even to this day. Every other scene in this movie scared me. Here's a list of moments that I have long since tried to put out my mind:

The Toy Machine
The Trees in the Forest
The scene with the pies
Barnaby (any scene with him in it)
The Toy soldiers coming alive at the end…

And among others. Note, I saw this movie at age 5 and it petrified me. The other movies I had mentioned I viewed around a similar age and none of them had the same effect as Babes in Toyland.

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I must agree with you. This film had the same effect on me and I was six. But most fairy tale stories or movies for children had some terrifying nightmarish element. I remember being fond of Ed Wynn, probably because of his own childlike qualities. My mother tried to reassure me by telling me the bad man was also the scarecrow I liked so much in the W of Oz. That only made me distrust the scarecrow. Funny to recall how many of these tales still bring back primal fears. I wonder how many psychotherapists are still trying to help us cope with Disney's mayhem.

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The toy machine I assume was scary like when the face part starts repeating "Help!" Let alone just blows apart.


This is what I found scary about the toy machine. I also did not like all the sounds it made. They were loud and monstrous to this young lad many years ago.

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I can see being utterly traumatized by those creepy forest trees (as I was), but what did you find scary about the Toy Machine scene. As a huge Ed Wynn fan (then and now) I still find that one of the funniest scenes I've ever seen. Ahem....

"Did you say that your invention was to uh...make "TOYS" or to make "NOISE!""......"GO!! GO TO YOUR ROOM AND INVENT SOMETHING TO DESTROY YOURSELF!!!"

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Too funny.

I agree that any scene with Ray Bolger was pretty much terrifying. Creepy fellow he is.

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The trees scene I could definitely see scaring some kids. When they go into their big chorus part, and one lifts his branches up and comes at them, I could see that scene being one that would scare kids.

The toy machine I assume was scary like when the face part starts repeating "Help!" Let alone just blows apart.

"Thanks, guys." "So long, partner."

- Toy Story 3 (9/10)

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