Viewing at Local Library Reminds of Real 'Toy-Stories'

The St. Louis County Library in Ellisville on Friday will host a teen movie night featuring “Toy Story 3,” the latest installment of Pixar’s hit animated film series recently available on DVD. But in addition to providing a fun and free evening, the return of “Toy Story” also stirs some questions about the magic of our own childhood relics.

Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the rest of the gang return in “Toy Story 3” to give us another peek into the lives of toys that come to life when no one is watching. This last outing, however, has an especially melancholy atmosphere. Toy chest-proprietor Andy, who was just a kid in the first “Toy Story,” now is 17 and heading off to college, where his talking cowboy doll and spring-loaded spaceman probably wouldn’t be welcomed. The toys find new hope at a daycare where they meet the sweetly-scented Teddy bear Lotso, but things aren’t exactly roses as the gang tries to learn their place in the world, then struggles to survive.

If you've seen the previous two “Toy Story” films, you know what to expect. The voice talent is strong with talent that includes Hanks, Tim Allen and the perfectly bourbon-aged bass of actor Ned Beatty. The same brand of humor that made Pixar famous is present, with a nice balance between jokes for the whole family and an off-color moment or two just for mom and dad. While the film contains plenty of slapstick and wit, there also are some genuinely emotional moments, particularly a climax and ending likely to make even the most hardened viewers’ eyes collect just a little water.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this movie, however, is its ability to transport me back to childhood. To be fair, I probably was closer in age to the character Andy when the first “Toy Story” came out in 1995 than I would like to admit. But the real nostalgia wasn’t in the theater. It was in my own toy chest. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Legos, even Etch-a-Sketch (portrayed as the silent character “Sketch” in “Toy Story”) couldn’t help but creep into my subconscious as “Toy Story 3” unfolded before me. With this in mind, I wondered who in town still shares this love of toys, and whether they could help explain where this universal passion for those toys comes from.

Terry Yount, 63, is the owner of in Ellisville, a store that sells baby furniture, equipment, and of course, toys. But you won’t find Transformers, Zuzu Pets or even Barbie dolls here. Instead, Yount stocks the fundamentals: Cribs are topped with giant stuffed animals, shelves are lined with wooden train sets and classic metal Radio Flyer toys adorn the store.

“Being a boy at that age, any kind of truck or train, and any of the metal Tonka were very good,” Yount said when asked about his favorite toys growing up.  It definitely is a departure from the Ninja Turtles action figures that were my toys of choice.

Yount’s love of toys doesn’t stop there, however.

“I have a collection of valuable toys in my basements from the 40s.” Included in his collection are several prized board games, including an original version “Operation” for those with steady hands.

Although I couldn't try my hand at a quick "Operation," I still had enough time to learn the value of not burying those old toys too deep.