March Of The Wooden Soldiers (Babes In Toyland) 1934

March of the wooden soldiers is truly a holiday tradition in our home. It was made in 1934 and starred Laurel and Hardy. (For those who do not know Laurel and Hardy, they were a comedy duo that successfully made a transition from silent films to talkies which was rare back in the day. They made short comedies and films that entertained a generation.)

March of the Wooden Soldiers has a comedic take on the Babes In Toyland story. How could you not with Laurel and Hardy. The story focuses on the Silus Barnaby and his devious quest to marry little boo peep. He evicts her mom from the show as leverage to marry her. It is up to Laurel and Hardy (also tenants) to save the day.

The highlight of the fairy tale is Laurel and Hardy  as the bumbling toy makers. You will see a mix of fairy tale stories along with Santa and his workshop.

For a film made in 1934, it stands the test of time. Part fairy tale, part holiday classic, and a bit of Mother Goose, this film is a great film for kids. They will laugh and partake in the antics without realize the film is almost 90 years old. It also is a soft spoken film with a kind story kids will surely rally around.

Some interesting facts about the movie:

Walt Disney loaned out a live Mickey Mouse for this film as a live version character. This would be the only time Walt Disney would ever allow this to happen.

The film has historical references to themes of the Great Depression and social justice. Rarely seen today in children's films.

The film was never a success until the 1960s. A local television station in New York City, WPIX resurrected the film for syndication as a holiday tradition each year. It would have surely stayed in the vault and obscurity if not for the television station's efforts.

The film was originally in black and white. If you can find a copy, it is a great introduction for kids to enjoy black and white films.

You can livestream the movie on Hulu Plus in HD or watch it on Youtube. The link will be provided:

Did Charlie Brown Get It Right?

I went to see the Peanuts movie with my kids. I found the movie enjoyable. However, there was a part of the movie that really bothered me. I could not figure out the intent of the Standardized Testing theme of the story.

This bizarre part of the story is as follows: Charlie Brown achieves notoriety finally but earning the highest score on a standardized test in his class. For this reason, he is given an awards ceremony for his accomplishment. It is actually a large part of the Peanuts story.

The critics felt like this would be Charles Schultz's view on standardized testing. However, I am not sure he would have put this as a part of the storyline. I think many kids, who are burden with test taking anxiety would see the scenario in the movie as quiet normal. In fact, they might not have seen it through an adult's eyes as irony. They might have seen it as an ordinary part of their life.

For this reason, I think the movie validates the culture of testing. Whether it was the intent to do no harm, millions of children went to see a children's movie only to have their test taking environments validated as normal. For this reason, I think Charles Schultz would have never agreed to make this part of the story line without carefully considering how to correlate to a young child's life. Context is very important, and the movie lacked any context as to why a standardized test would make you the most popular kid in your school.

Green Acres - Lessons In History Abound And Oh So Funny

My kids and I found Green Acres on Hulu this weekend. On the surface, a great comedy. However, watch with your kids and history abounds. Green Acres is based on a couple from NYC that decides to move to the country. Oliver Wendell, the main character longs for his farming roots and a simpler life. His wife Lisa has only known city life, and begrudgingly tags along because she loves her husband. The comedy is based on the changes that are coming to rural life in the 1960s.

Green Acres captures life in the 1960s from a rural perspective. Each episode has historical lessons. In season one, my kids and I discussed the dust bowl and conservation, party lines for rural communities due to poor phone service, and how farming was highly regulated due to the farm bureau. All historically accurate interpretations by the show and very funny takes on life back then.

Green Acres lacks diversity as many shows in the 60s did. However it has so many historical accounts of life on the farm. The humor is fast paced. Your kids will love the show. It has a conversation to be shared in each episode. All you have to do is start one with your children about how life back then was simpler. They will love the stories of this time in American History.  And, maybe there is a moral to the story regarding slowing life down and living simply. Farm to table was not so easy. But they made it a fun on Green Acres.

*You can watch Green Acres on Hulu Plus.