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7.2/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.2/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. A Holiday in Storyland remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
"A Holiday in Storyland" is definitely one for the curious cinephile, particularly those who get a kick out of early sound musicals and catching a glimpse of future stars. If you’re not into seeing very old, very earnest kids’ entertainment, you can probably skip it. But for anyone who loves digging into cinema's past, especially its really past, this little short offers some genuine smiles. 🧐
So, we're talking a 1930s Vitaphone short here, right? This means simple sets, pretty direct performances, and that distinct, early sound-era audio quality. It’s a delightful, if sometimes a little clunky, time capsule.
The whole thing kicks off with these kids, the "Vitaphone Kiddies," in what looks like a very cozy, maybe even a little cluttered, playroom. They decide to take a "holiday" into Storyland, which basically means they start singing and dancing in front of some painted backdrops. The transitions are pretty simple, almost like page turns in a big storybook.
And those backdrops! You can almost see the brushstrokes. One moment, they’re in a forest that clearly has a painted sun, the next they’re near a castle that looks like it came straight out of a children’s book illustration. There's a charming, almost naive quality to it all. ✨
The energy from these kids is just infectious. They’re all so enthusiastic, even when their movements aren't perfectly synchronized. One small blonde girl in particular, I think it was Mary Jane Gumm, just radiates this sheer joy. Her little kicks and arm movements are just the cutest thing.
Then there’s Judy Garland, yes, that Judy Garland, as a very young lass. She's not the star here, not yet, but you can feel her presence. Even in a chorus line of tiny dancers, she just… pops. There’s a moment during one of the group songs where the camera catches her face, and you just get a flicker of that *something special* she’d become. It’s almost eerie how clear it is.
The songs themselves are super catchy, the kind that would get stuck in your head for a bit after watching. They’re simple, wholesome tunes, all about make-believe and adventure. Nothing too complex, just good old-fashioned kid stuff. 🎶
Now, it’s not perfect, obviously. The sound mix can be a bit uneven sometimes, with the music occasionally overpowering the vocals. And there are moments where the camera just sort of… holds on a scene for a few seconds too long after the action finishes, like the cameraman wasn't quite sure when to cut. It gives it a very homemade, almost amateur feel, in a good way.
One specific dance number involves them pretending to be little soldiers, marching around with tiny toy guns. It goes on a bit longer than you'd expect, but it’s hard not to smile at their earnestness. You can tell they’ve practiced these routines a lot, even if a few of the smaller ones occasionally miss a beat.
There's a scene where they're all pretending to be asleep, waiting to be woken up for their "holiday." One of the boys, I think it was Ray Erlenborn, just keeps peeking open one eye. It’s a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it detail, but it makes the whole thing feel so much more real. Like, yeah, that's exactly what a kid would do. 😂
The overall vibe is pure, unadulterated charm. It’s not trying to be anything profound or groundbreaking. It’s just kids, singing and dancing, dreaming big. It’s a gentle reminder of simpler entertainment times. No heavy themes, just fun.
If you're a fan of early Hollywood, or just curious about seeing Judy Garland before she became the legend, this is a pretty neat little watch. It's a short, sweet escape into a very old, very innocent Storyland. Maybe grab a cup of tea and just enjoy the quaintness of it all. ☕
IMDb —
1923
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