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A Dream Of Toyland

1907 , St Albans (Hertfordshire)

Cat no. 1893

A collection of new toys inspires a vivid dream.

In the heart of St Albans, a mother and her son walk alongside St Peters Street, stopping in front of a toy shop. Inside, the shopkeeper shows off an array of toys - people, animals and vehicles in all shapes and sizes. The boy excitedly chooses his new toys, many of which are placed in a large double-decker bus. With the transaction complete and the purchases packed, the pair leave the toy shop. Later that evening, having played with his new toys all day, the boy is ready for bed. Tucked in by his mother, he drifts off to sleep. But his peaceful rest is soon interrupted by the chaotic streets of Toyland, as stop-motion animation brings each of his new toys to life. And the streets of Toyland seem mighty dangerous, with several of the toys shown falling off horses, getting hit by trucks or run over by buses, whilst many of the others fight each other in the street. Finally, as the large double-decker bus approaches for the second time, a collision is followed by an almighty explosion, which sends the boy crashing out of bed, the dream ending in tears.

Keywords

Children; Toys

Background Information

See Cleveland, David `Films Were Made. Vol. 1: The Region at Work' p. 19-22.

  • Mother Ruby Vivian

  • Child Eric Lavers

  • Shopkeeper Frank Hawkins Clark

Manifestations

A Dream Of Toyland

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