adamshl
It's gratifying to know how much this film meant to some folks. Apparently it did what the filmmakers intended, as far as supporters of this work are concerned.For me, it was a rather tedious, limp affair, despite the vigorous performance of Russ Tamblyn. The Pal special effects seemed dated, though impressive from a historical perspective. The songs come across as fair, and the whole enterprise seemed pale and drawn out. One can see the effort (and cost) that went into this production, for it's often quite opulent and elaborate. Perhaps kids from ages 3-7 might be its best audience. There's nothing harmful here for very young children, and their parents might appreciate a film the family can watch together. In that sense, "tom thumb" has a value.
Bill Slocum
Some children's musicals have an ageless quality, both in terms of the time they were made and their ability to appeal to audiences at various points in life. Think "The Wizard Of Oz," "Gay Purr-ee," "Mary Poppins," and a slew of recent Disney films.Then there's "tom thumb." A children's movie of and for its time, "tom thumb" was a big hit when it was released in 1958 and remained a holiday offering for regional TV channels a couple of decades later. Today, however, it stands out, at least to this pair of older eyes, more as a curio, a showcase for some impressive special effects, a directorial debut for kid-film king George Pal, and Peter Sellers' first appearance in an international screen role as Antony, one of a pair of villains (alongside Terry-Thomas, who as Ivan has the bigger part here).Terry-Thomas got his only British Academy Award nomination for his work here, though neither he nor Sellers stand out especially. Sellers in particular plays his part too heavy, both in manner and in costume. The comedy in Ladislas Fodor's script is too twee, and slow-paced in an apparent effort to keep even the youngest audience member from losing the plot. It's not much of a plot, either. To the extent "tom thumb" strives to be diverting, it succeeds, but at the expense of offering more lasting entertainment.More central to the film, and to its relative merits, are Russ Tamblyn as the title character, a cheerful if gullible youngster who arrives at Acorn Cottage, home of Honest John (Bernard Miles) and his wife Anne (Jessie Matthews). The childless couple is so desperate for a little boy that they fill an empty bedroom with a myriad of expensive-looking toys while contenting themselves to dine on cabbage."I'd love him with all my heart, even if he were no bigger than my thumb," Anne says. Tom, as it turns out, is bigger than that, but only by about an inch.If "tom thumb" had been made today, there would have been more made of the boy's arrival, in terms of his adopted parents adjusting to the reality of their little treasure. But in true fairy-tale style, they take to Tom quite matter-of-factly. The film spends its first 45 minutes celebrating Tom's new place in life, centered on a long dancing sequence between Tom and his new toys, who embodying a tradition cemented by the "Toy Story" films, only spring to life when the adults are away. It's a great sequence, even if it does nothing in the way of forwarding a plot. Children today I think will still enjoy this part, anyway.The second half of the movie centers on Tom's difficulty overcoming the machinations of Antony and Ivan. He's suckered by the pair when they use his small size to burgle the village vault. Then, when his parents are blamed for the theft, Tom must uncover the real crooks and bring them to justice.The film still looks gorgeous, shot it seems on a set similar to that used in "The Wizard Of Oz." The theme song is nice, though overplayed. The rest of the songs are flat on delivery, and that goes double for the other main storyline here, a romance between Woody, a goofy musician (Alan Young), and the magical woodland creature called the Forest Queen (June Thorburn) who brought Tom to John and Anne in the first place. Whenever Woody and Queenie come on screen, you know kids of all ages will be ready to forsake the lovebirds for Angry Birds.But Tamblyn's unaffected sincerity and enthusiasm keep "tom thumb" from being a total drag. Pal's direction definitely works at striking the right balance between menace and humor, even if there's not much on screen either to be scared of or laugh at.I liked this film more for seeing Sellers try out some early physical comedy, knowing he stood here on the verge of a five-year run that would be the envy of any comedian of the sound era. It's disappointing in its limitations, but affecting in the way it encapsulates the notion of children's entertainment in a more innocent age.
beresfordjd
I saw this as a kid and it entranced me then and still does it to this day. When I became a teacher and it was available as a video I used to show it at the end of the summer term on the last day or as a Christmas treat. I taught for 25 years and must have shown it at least 15 times. It never failed to amaze me how "sophisticated" modern children still loved it and laughed at it. The Yawning Man's song never failed to start the audience yawning along with him. Now it was not great art (though the animation was never less than superb) but it did the job of entertaining its audience. Russ Tamblyn was fantastic in it - the perfect Tom Thumb. Sellers and Terry-Thomas were really, really funny and it still makes me laugh to think of their interaction - they stole the film. The scene in the castle where the villains are counting out their spoils is a brilliant piece of comic timing and action. Alan Young and June Thorburn were rather insipid as the lovers but did not detract too much from the rest of the movie. If you need a film to entertain young children from 5 - 12 then this is the one, it never failed me. And here I am again watching it on Christmas Day 2016 and it has not lost it's charm. The effects are still impressive even though CGI would do it as almost realistic- the more primitive effects still work. I always hope that maybe some of the kids I showed it too love it as much as I do and may be watching it now.
Caz1964
Tom Thumb is a film that can be enjoyed by all age groups its harmless fun and the special effects are really state of the arc for 1958,especially when the toys come alive the puppetoons are really fascinating to watch and should even by todays standards keep children amused.George Pal went on to direct The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm which I've never been able to get round to seeing as i keep missing it on TCM,but i know its suppose to be just as good. Russ Tamblyn was the perfect choice to play the title role as he really does come across as a little boy even though he was 24 years old,his dance routines are amazing especially with the added acrobatics you cant tire from watching him he makes his routine look so easy when obviously its not. Also another great bonus is the pairing up of two of my all time favourite comedians Peter Sellers and Terry Thomas as the two dastardly villains Tony and Ivan who greedily cheat and use Tom to steal a bag of the Kings gold and let Toms parents take the blame. They weren't very often teamed up in films together but if you ever want the chance to see them paired up then this is a good opportunity. Tom Thumb is a very simple story its easy to follow and this probably makes it all the more enjoyable and suitable for young children,there's no complicated plot its just pretty basic. Also Toms theme song 'This is my song '{DOO DEE DOO DEE DOO}is very catchy and your sure to start humming it before the end of the movie.
