Toccata for Toy Trains (1957)

Vintage toy trains make a joyful journey through a treasure of toy people, props, and scenery. Available through the Eames Office.

[@jamesaustin1988]

This film is so ahead of it's time. I wonder if David Mitton saw this back in the day? It pioneers a lot of cinematic techniques that he would later use on "Thomas and Friends", such as having the camera at eye level so the engines look life-sized.

[@erniebellinetti7590]

This is absolutely the most entertaining and creative short film on "toy trains". I saw this years ago. I believe it was part of a National Geographic's exhibit on railroad history and model railroads. I'm so glad I found it tonight. Have saved and book marked it to waych again and again. Makes me smile. Film certainly captures the feel and fun of early 1800 and early 1900's toys of all kinds. EFrankB😊

[@bassoonkap]

The bassoonist in this recording, Jack Marsh, was my greatest bassoon teacher. He was a wonderful musician and an incredible teacher!

[@zuma457]

Hello Jeff, you were one of my fathers favorite students. Thank you for posting.

[@bassoonkap]

Hi Jim, thank you very much! Your father was, without question, one of my all-time greatest teachers. Even now, I tell other bassoonists how terrific he was and how much I learned from him and I think of him often.

[@MrBnsftrain]

I remember seeing this at a very young age. I always thought the film was just called "Toy Trains". I especially remember the roundhouse scene with the engines changing leading up to the stirling single

[@Mason58654]

@2:00 That’s a beautiful GNR live steam model. The British toy trains I especially think are handsome.

[@roberthuron9160]

This is a homage to those children,who use their imagination,and let the chips fall where they may! A circle of track,and go across Europe,Canada,the US,and anywhere else you can think of,even outer space!! A 2,3,4,or 5 year old hasn't any adult blinders,and just has the imagination to fill in the gaps! Magnificent,and thank you 😊 🙏! I also heard of this film,but never saw it,but it ranks up with the 3rd Avenue El movie,of which I have a copy of,so again thank you!! Thanks 😊 🫂

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

This is one of the best model train flims out there.

[@thegreatrailroadstudios9096]

there toys not models

[@johnd8892]

Toys. Answer at 0:44.

[@GlennFresch]

Truly the standard for toy train cinematography!

[@TailsFan369no2]

Used to play at the California State Railroad Museum before the Sefton collection came. Bought a copy on my first visit! Watched it all the time. Still have it and recently saw it again. Nicknamed it “I Love Toy Trains the Movie “

[@ARKWIRGHTIS]

A true gem, utterly delightful to watch.

[@chiconian49]

This was magnificent! I love my toy-like Marx trains and am not ashamed to say so!

[@west_side_9]

Same here, I'll have to take a video of my old coffee grinder!

[@bellaluna2]

Such a sweet homage!

[@user-nu5dv8pe2l]

素敵な作品✨👏

[@RWBHere]

Thanks. I'd heard of this film, years ago, and it's a pleasure to see it at last.

[@cftdd]

truly great use of cinematic perspective, and great classic toys.

[@LeonardoMaster2006]

What a nice and great piece of video, i love so much this.

[@CuteCatFaith]

Only saw this once on TV in the middle of the night in NYC in the late '70s I guess ... the kind of thing you watch intently and mention next day and no one has ever heard of it! Good to see it back up and running. I knew a woman who claimed to be an ex-wife of Bernstein's ... could be.

[@nelsenspickard8836]

It might have been if she was named Rhoda or Pearl.

[@KlunkerRider]

More proof the Eames were masterfull film makers

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

I hope these trains are still around today.

[@ambrosia7801]

Me too, toy trains always had their own importance.🙂❣️

[@HistoryBird575]

Probably not in the film but there is tons of trains like this still around, pretty well preserved I will say.

[@johnd8892]

Even when this was made , these vintage toy trains were sought after and collectable. Zinc pest might have had a few crumbling.

[@fiercetrains4052]

I love the shots in the yard

[@CHECKOYCHELA]

Wonderful toy Trains 👍👍👍

[@basic411]

The score has recently been re-orchestrated by Elmer's daughter for a benefit performance in Los Angeles promoting music in schools. I believe the USC orchestra will be performing with Angel Velez conducting.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Immense achievement ...!!!!

[@IamUncledeuce]

years ago I wondered if Eames very thought about getting Heifetz for soundtrack. Heifetz was quite the amateur filmography fanatic himself and lived in the greater LA area as well.

[@nelsenspickard8836]

Charles and Ray Eames were friends with the composer, Elmer Bernstein. The soundrack and film were developed together. Bernstein also wrote music for several of their other film projects. So, no, they probably didn't think about Heifetz.

[@gramophon1000]

Superschöner Film ! DANKE !!!

[@ianroach7485]

I love this video!!! :D

[@HairTransformationColor]

so much fun to sing along with!

[@likosjo]

magnifique!!!

[@jeremyasher297]

i knew those trains

[@geneseedotgbh]

Eames bros? They were man and wife.

[@Espiel78]

This is wonderful!

[@bobholtzmann]

I think Elmer Bernstein was just getting started with his film scoring career on this film. The only other one I know of that time which Elmer scored was "Robot Monster". And contrary to the myth, he was not Leonard Bernstein's relation in any way.

[@nelsenspickard8836]

"Robot Monster" was one of his earlier films, but not in any way his only one before "Toccata for Toy Trains." Among the eleven + before 1957 were "Man with the Golden Arm," "The Ten Commandments," and "The Sweet Smell of Success."

[@nocount1]

No. No relation but he was often referred to as Bernstein West.

[@michaelquinones-lx6ks]

😀If this film was to be remade today using the same camera angles and the same background music they won't use the same old toy like trains like they did before instead they would use pre and post war Marx and Lionel trains from the 20's 30's 40's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's BTW in the movie i noticed that track was lionels latest track design the super "O" introduced in1957.

[@microbusss]

lotta these toys are worth $100s if not $1000s today

[@united_pacific_rr4509]

Not surprised, many of these would definitely be rare. You'd be lucky if you found one of these at all.

[@brainsthatexplode]

This is not 1957. In the video's first moment the text says 1989

[@avidlisner8748]

0:29. "1957"

[@Mason58654]

@5:39 @6:44