Toys Will Be Toys

Toys Will Be Toys

1988 · 5 min · Animation, Comedy, Family

The South Shields-born animator Sheila Graber looks at the growing gender bias in toys for girls and boys. At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, monster killing machines and robots fight each other and toy soldiers in khaki battle against pink clad, cute dolls, threatened animals and fairies. The toys gradually find their traditional roles reversed and harmony returns to the fictional killing fields of a Christmas home.

Directed by Sheila Graber · Written by Sheila Graber

Your Rating

Make it a double feature

1h 42m together

Toys Will Be Toys

The Ref

A close match in mood and era.

More from Sheila GraberSee all →

William Blake and the Poet's JourneyWilliam Blake and the Poet's Journey · 1979
William Blake and the Poet's Journey
★ 8.01979
Movie
A short animated history of the works of William Blake.
Paddington BearPaddington Bear · 1976
Paddington Bear
★ 7.21976
SeriesAnimation
Paddington Bear is a series of British animated shorts based on the Paddington Bear book series by Michael Bond produced by FilmFair. This was the first television series based on the popular children's book Paddington Bear. In the United States it was usually shown on pay television as filler in between programs. Its narrator was actor Michael Hordern. It was one of the few television programmes to combine a puppet show with cartoon - Paddington himself was a puppet, but other characters in the series were depicted as cartoon characters. The series has a very distinctive art style. Paddington himself is a stop-motion animated puppet who moves within a 3-dimensional space and interacts with 2-dimensional animated drawings of the human characters, buildings, etc. The series, along with all other FilmFair productions is currently owned by DHX Media of Canada.
I Guinea PigI Guinea Pig · 1983
I Guinea Pig
1983
MovieAnimationDocumentary
The do’s and don’ts of pet care explained by a cute cartoon guinea pig created by celebrated British animator Sheila Graber.
The Lady of ShalottThe Lady of Shalott · 1976
The Lady of Shalott
1976
MovieAnimationDrama
A pastel animation produced by Sheila Graber based on the Victorian ballad by the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. With commentary by Francis Carr the film loosely tells the Arthurian legend of Elaine of Astolat, a woman living in isolation inside a tower who sees the world through the reflections in a mirror.
Dance MacabreDance Macabre · 1982
Dance Macabre
1982
MovieAnimationHorror
Animated short where a tiny plasticine fiddle-playing ghost shares his graveyard with other friendly ghosts, witches and skeletons, until the devil himself appears.
Guinea Pig DiariesGuinea Pig Diaries · 2021
Guinea Pig Diaries
2021
MovieDocumentary
Guinea Pig Diaries is an unfiltered look into the lives of guinea pigs and the people who adore them, breed them, show them, and rescue them.
The Monarch of the SeaThe Monarch of the Sea · 1975
The Monarch of the Sea
1975
MovieAnimation
A short Sheila Graber cut out animation of the songs "I Am the Monarch of the Sea" & When I Was a Lad" from Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore.
The 12 Days of ChristmasThe 12 Days of Christmas · 1975
The 12 Days of Christmas
1975
MovieAnimationMusic
A short Christmas animation produced by Sheila Graber based on the traditional carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. The film focuses on Santa Claus as he introduces each of the twelve days to comic effect.
The Boy and the SongThe Boy and the Song · 1976
The Boy and the Song
1976
MovieAnimationFamily
An animated film by the South Shields film maker Sheila Graber in which the boy and his cat feature in a set of adventures inspired by the lyrics of some well-known songs the boy sings. This film is a follow up to her earlier film entitled the Boy and the Cat.
My River TyneMy River Tyne · 1986
My River Tyne
1986
MovieAnimationDocumentary
An animated film produced by Sheila Graber with music performed by Tom Gilfellon. The history of the River Tyne, from the source in Scotland to the mouth at South Shields, is pictured using pastel, paintings, drawings, personal photographs and documentary film footage.
Be a Good NeighbourBe a Good Neighbour · 1977
Be a Good Neighbour
1977
MovieAnimation
A dog on holiday is shocked to discover his kennel has been burgled. He learns about the ways in which he can protect his home through the Good Neighbours Scheme.
I am the Very Model of a Modern Major GeneralI am the Very Model of a Modern Major General · 1974
I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General
1974
MovieAnimation
A short Sheila Graber cut out animation of the song "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" from Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance.
The Face in ArtThe Face in Art · 1982
The Face in Art
1982
MovieAnimation
Through varying appropriate materials: mosaic; fresco; tempera; oil paint – the film traces the approach to the human face by artists from Egyptian to modern times.
Bio and BonesBio and Bones · 1985
Bio and Bones
1985
MovieAnimationFamily
An educational children’s animation by Sheila Graber about the workings of the human body. The film features a one celled character called Bio as he guides the viewer on the structure of the skeleton.
The Boy and the CatThe Boy and the Cat · 1974
The Boy and the Cat
1974
MovieAnimationFantasy
The first complete animation produced by Sheila Graber and set in her native South Shields. The film follows the adventures of a small boy and his cat as they walk through the snowy landscape, chase a Robin down onto the River Tyne and meet Father Christmas. The character of the boy is based upon Sheila’s nephew Nigel and the cat is based upon her own cat Whitey.
The Pigeon CreeThe Pigeon Cree · 1986
The Pigeon Cree
1986
MovieAnimationDrama
A pastel animation produced by Sheila Graber and based upon the short story by Sid Chaplin. Narrated by north east broadcaster Mike Neville the film tells the story of Geordie, a miner, and his love for his pigeons and the trials and tribulations of his passion which is very popular around the region. The face of Sid Chaplin is used as Geordie.

More Like This

A Very Jonas Christmas MovieA Very Jonas Christmas Movie · 2025
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie
★ 6.22025
MovieComedyMusic
Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families.
The RefThe Ref · 1994
The Ref
★ 6.61994
MovieComedyCrime
A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island AdventureChristmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure · 2003
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure
★ 4.02003
MovieComedy
Though Eddie's fired right at Christmastime, his boss sends him and his family on a South Pacific vacation, hoping Eddie won't sue him after being bitten by a lab monkey. When the Tuttle family winds up trapped on a tropical island, however, Eddie manages to provide for everyone and prove himself a real man.
Home Alone 4Home Alone 4 · 2002
Home Alone 4
★ 4.52002
MovieComedyFamily
Kevin McCallister's parents have split up. Now living with his mom, he decides to spend Christmas with his dad at the mansion of his father's rich girlfriend, Natalie. Meanwhile robber Marv Merchants, one of the villains from the first two movies, partners up with a new criminal named Vera to hit Natalie's mansion.
Santa's SlaySanta's Slay · 2005
Santa's Slay
★ 5.52005
MovieComedyFantasy
Santa Claus is actually a demon who lost a bet with an angel, so he became the giver of toys and happiness. But this year the bet is off, and Santa is about to return to his evil ways.
Someone Like You...Someone Like You... · 2001
Someone Like You...
★ 6.02001
MovieComedyRomance
Jane Goodale has everything going for her. She's a producer on a popular daytime talk show, and is in a hot romance with the show's dashing executive producer Ray. But when the relationship goes terribly awry, Jane begins an extensive study of the male animal, including her womanizing roommate Eddie. Jane puts her studies and romantic misadventure to use as a pseudonymous sex columnist -- and becomes a sensation.
The HoldoversThe Holdovers · 2023
The Holdovers
★ 7.62023
MovieDramaComedy
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
Barbie in 'A Christmas Carol'Barbie in 'A Christmas Carol' · 2008
Barbie in 'A Christmas Carol'
★ 7.22008
MovieAnimationFamily
On Christmas Eve, Kelly is reluctant to go to a Christmas Eve ball, so Barbie tells her the story of Eden Starling, a glamorous singing diva in the Victorian England and the owner of a theatre house. However, Eden is self-centered and loves only herself. She is frequently accompanied by her snooty cat, Chuzzlewit. She does not believe in Christmas and orders all her employees to work on Christmas.
Holiday InnHoliday Inn · 1942
Holiday Inn
★ 7.11942
MovieComedyDrama
Lovely Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels, but suave stepper Ted Hanover wants her for his new dance partner after fickle Lila Dixon gives him the brush. Jim's supper club, Holiday Inn, is the setting for the chase by Hanover and his manager.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted ChristmasBeauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas · 1997
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
★ 6.21997
MovieAnimationFantasy
Astonished to find the Beast has a deep-seated hatred for the Christmas season, Belle endeavors to change his mind on the matter.
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas MovieIt's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie · 2002
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
★ 6.02002
MovieComedyFamily
The owner of a bank (Miss Bitterman) wants to own the Muppet Theatre so she can build a nightclub over it. After she tricks Pepe into giving her the only copy of the contract between her father and the Muppets, she changes it so the Muppets have very little time to pay a debt they owe. Meanwhile, the Muppets are trying to put on a Christmas show. After the Muppets are confronted by Bitterman, they make a lot of sacrifices to save up so they can keep the Theatre.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter