The Great Toy Robbery

A playful clown presents three segments on the theme of Christmas: paper cut-outs of two children dance to "Jingle Bells"; mechanical toys confront a hungry crocodile; and a man builds a rocket in order to pluck the most beautiful star from the sky to decorate his Christmas tree.

All the old delight, innocence and anticipation are still here in this telling of a children's classic. The pretty little girl, her grandmother and the wicked old wolf have stepped from the storybook onto the screen through the magic of animation. It is a film that all children will enjoy--as will adults who like reassurances that evil gets the chop in the end.

Montréal readies itself for Christmas, its usual quick tempo accelerated into one last spurt of spending, rehearsing, preparation and merrymaking. The milling crowds, the store Santa Clauses, Brink's messengers, the kindergarten angels, and the boisterous nightclubs--all make a potpourri of Christmas.