Laurel and Hardy in Babes in Toyland
The 1934 film version of Babes in Toyland (sometimes titled March of the Wooden Soldiers) starring Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) is one of the comedy team’s most popular films. However as Variety pointed out when the film was released, "Babes in Toyland is as far away from the Victor Herbert original operetta as Admiral Byrd [discoverer of the South Pole] from his home port. The arithmetic song and "March of the Toys" are the only outstanding survivors of Herbert's score, and these are merely background.” Outraged at what the filmmakers did to the work, Herbert’s daughter, Ella, took steps to ensure that later filmed works were closer to the original productions.
The 1934 film version of <em>Babes in Toyland</em> (sometimes titled <em>March of the Wooden Soldiers</em>) starring Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) is one of the comedy team’s most popular films. However as <em>Variety</em> pointed out when the film was released, "<em>Babes in Toyland</em> is as far away from the Victor Herbert original operetta as Admiral Byrd [discoverer of the South Pole] from his home port. The arithmetic song and "March of the Toys" are the only outstanding survivors of Herbert's score, and these are merely background.” Outraged at what the filmmakers did to the work, Herbert’s daughter, Ella, took steps to ensure that later filmed works were closer to the original productions.