A look inside Hollywood and the movies. : ON THE SET : A Peek Inside the ‘Toys’ Chest

Outside Stage 15 on the 20th Century Fox lot, there was a heat wave. Inside, snow was falling over Manhattan. It’s winter and about 50 girls and boys dressed up as elves, ballerinas, tree bulbs and reindeer were taking part in a Christmas pageant that will be in the opening scene of “Toys,” the ever-so-secret lavish production now shooting under the direction of Oscar-winning director Barry Levinson.

Fox released a start-of-production story March 10 and ne’er a studio-sanctioned word on the extravaganza has been spoken since. But curiosity over the reportedly “fabulous” sets and the sound of children’s voices singing holiday songs has invited some nosing around. The word back is that if the finished film isn’t wonderful, it won’t be the fault of the set and costume designers or the choreographer.

What greets the eye inside Stage 15 is a human-scale re-creation of Manhattan--skyscrapers, landmarks and Central Park--all covered with a fine layer of fake snow and surrounded by the East and Hudson rivers. It is the centerpiece of a larger set, a toy factory, that is run by the ailing owner, played by Donald O’Connor in a non-dancing unannounced role. Robin Williams is his son, who, after his father’s death, is compelled to wrest control of the family business from a demented uncle who’s bent on making arms instead.

In the first scene, O’Connor looks down from his office window onto the cityscape set on the factory floor to watch the pageant that is part of the Christmas program he has planned for his workers. Lights twinkle from everywhere, sources said, carried off by 130 miles of electrical wiring. Even the ballerina’s halos and cellophane tutus are lit up.

The six-minute opening number is, says one witness, “so moving someone watching with me cried.” Not over any sadness--the children spill out onto Central Park to await the arrival of Santa--but because “it’s just one of those magic movie moments.”

Levinson used five cameras to shoot the scene, which takes in the performance of a steel drum band and a Christmas tree whose branches are filled with a child choir singing under the direction of Wendy Melvoin, who played guitar in Prince’s former band the Revolution.

One of the ironies is that Levinson expected to make his mark as a Hollywood writer-director with “Toys” many years ago, but ended up bowing in a big way with the modest little picture “Diner” instead. He has since won an Academy Award for directing “Rain Man” and today--considering his track record--can probably indulge any film fantasy.