Question 1

How were the toy soldiers created for the film's signature sequence?

Accepted Answer

The stop-motion animation for the 'March of the Wooden Soldiers' scene was created by special-effects director Roy Seawright and cinematographer Art Lloyd using 100 one-foot-high wooden toy soldiers posed and shot frame by frame.

Question 2

Why was Henry Brandon's casting as Barnaby surprising?

Accepted Answer

Hal Roach signed 21-year-old Henry Brandon to play the old villain Barnaby after seeing him play an old lawyer on stage, not realizing his age. Heavy makeup made him credible in the role.

Question 3

What real-life romance developed during filming?

Accepted Answer

Felix Knight (who played Tom-Tom) fell in love with co-star Alice Moore (Queen of Hearts) and they eloped in Yuma, Arizona on October 17, 1935.

Question 4

What is the main conflict that drives the story?

Accepted Answer

Ollie Dee and Stannie Dum try to borrow money to pay off Mother Peep's mortgage and keep Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby, enraging him.

Question 5

Where was most of the film shot and how were the 'outdoor' scenes created?

Accepted Answer

Filmed almost entirely inside Hal Roach Studios sound stages. The only 'outdoor' scenes (Bogeymen invading Toyland) were shot at night at the studio's water tank with diffusion filters for an artificial look.

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March of the Wooden Soldiers

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