John Biscello

When you’ve grown up, my dears,

And are as old as I,

You’ll often ponder on the years

That roll so swiftly by, my dears,

That roll so swiftly by.

And all the many lands

You will have journeyed through

You’ll oft recall,

the best of all,

The land your childhodo knew

Your childhood knew.

Toyland, toyland,

Little girl and boy land,

While you dwell within it,

You are ever happy then.

Childhood, joyland,

Mystic merry toyland,

Once you pass its borders,

You can ne’er return again.

These lyrics, written by Victor Herbert for the song, “Toyland” (which was featured in the 1934 film, Babes in Toyland, a.k.a., March of the Wooden Soldiers, starring Laurel and Hardy) poignantly exemplifies the spirit of the “toyland” we are striving to create for our Cuckoos. And we need YOUR help in architecting this playscape.

Toys and games from different eras, spanning the 1950s-1990s, are being sought to help us create the stylized and distinct character of our children’s room. Below is a list of some of the specific toys and items we are looking for, but we’re also on the lookout for “unspecified” vintage toys and games that might strike our fancy. What we’re asking for in this cinematic scavenger hunt: take a photo of your toy and send it to us. We will then sift through prospects and make selections. If your toy is selected to appear in our film, we request that you mail it to us (as a donation). You will receive a special thank you in the film credits, and for those who take a fun, playful, dramatic or “cuckoo” picture with their toy, we may include your pic in the gallery roll-call of “toyland” pics during the film credits.

We want our Cuckoo Room to become a repository of collective childhood dreams and memories, a shared place of warmth, play and sanctuary.

You can email pics to: johnbiscello@gmail.com. If we use your toy, we will send you the address to which it should be posted.

Some of what we’re seeking:

Also, there are thirteen days left before our campaign ends, so please visit our page if you want to find out more about our indie film and become part of our growing Cuckoo flock: igg.me/at/cuckoocinema

We are winging our way forward, one shimmying feather at a time. Here’s to the land of childhood and all its inspired magic-making!