In 1986, Drew Barrymore saved Christmas in Babes in Toyland – The Hollywood Reporter
From left: Richard Mulligan as Barnaby Barnicle, Drew Barrymore as Lisa, and Pat Morita as the toymaster in “Babes in Toyland,” which was filmed in Munich, as THR reported in August 1986.
NBC Collection/Courtesy Everett
For nearly four decades, NBC has brought… Kids in Toyland Return to life with an all-star cast. The holiday project was based on the 1903 operetta, which includes a score by Victor Herbert — including the Christmas staple “Toyland” — and a libretto by Glenn McDonough bringing together many of Mother Goose’s characters. It followed previous adaptations such as the 1934 Laurel and Hardy film, a Shirley Temple-led television version in 1960 and a 1961 Disney film starring Annette Funicello.
Director Clive Donner – the creator of the 1965 comedy What is new kitten? It was Woody Allen’s first produced screenplay – directed by him Kids in Toyland From a text by Paul Zendel (Mami). Filmed in Munich, it stars 11-year-old Drew Barrymore as Lisa, who has no interest in toys until she is magically transported to Toyland on Christmas Eve, where she teams up with the Toy Master (Pat Morita, a recent graduate). The Karate Kid Part Two) to prevent the evil Barnaby Barnicle (Richard Mulligan) from taking over the kingdom. The cast included Eileen Brennan as Mother Hubbard and early-career Keanu Reeves playing Jack P. Nimble. NBC premiered new music by Oscar-winning composer Leslie Bricusse, who was visiting the production from his home in France to help the actors nail the tunes. Mulligan – in his first role as a villain and his first musical – enjoyed and parodied everything the local area had to offer. THR At the time, “If my wife doesn’t get me away from cheese and German macaroni very soon, they’re going to have to expand the TV screen for a new, fatter Richard Mulligan.”
Kids in Toyland It aired on December 19, 1986, and developed a large following – but was difficult to track down until recently. Among those celebrating the Blu-ray release of an abridged version in November was actress Jill Schulen, who played Reeves’ love interest and also dated him in real life. “My memories of working with Drew are how beautiful and happy she was,” Shaolin shared on Instagram. “I was so happy to be shooting a Christmas movie with a great crew.”
This story first appeared in the December 15 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Click here to subscribe.
