Santa Claus (1985)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Jeannot Szwarc

Writers:

David Newman (story) &
Leslie Newman (story) ...

Release Date:

29 November 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Guess Who's Coming To Town!

Plot:

The first half of this film, set hundreds of years ago, shows how the old man who eventually became Santa Claus was given immortality and chosen to deliver toys to all the children of the world. The second half moves into the modern era, in which Patch, the head elf, strikes out on his own and falls in with an evil toy manufacturer who wants to corner the market and eliminate Santa Claus.

Plot Keywords:

Toys | Santa Claus | Elf | Spoiled Child | Candy Cane

Cast

Dudley Moore	...	Patch
John Lithgow	...	B.Z.
David Huddleston	...	Santa Claus
Burgess Meredith	...	Ancient Elf
Judy Cornwell	...	Anya Claus
Jeffrey Kramer	...	Towzer
Christian Fitzpatrick	...	Joe
Carrie Kei Heim	...	Cornelia
John Barrard	...	Dooley
Anthony O'Donnell	...	Puffy
Melvyn Hayes	...	Goober
Don Estelle	...	Groot
Tim Stern	...	Boog
Peter O'Farrell	...	Honka
Christopher Ryan	...	Vout

Also Known As:

Santa Claus: The Movie (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Singapore:PG | West Germany:o.Al. | Iceland:L | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:PG | Norway:7

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Calash Corporation

Quotes:

Patch: Don't you believe in Santa Claus?
B.Z.: Why should I? He never brought me anything.
Patch: That's because you were probably a naughty boy.
B.Z.: Yes. I guess I was... no angel.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Best Ever Christmas Films (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Patch! Natch!

Likeable Film for the Whole Family.

Under-rated little family film that works due to a couple of over-the-top performances more than anything else. We get a glimpse into the history of the titled character (played by David Huddleston) and his wife (Judy Cornwell) as they make the North Pole their home. Years and years pass and we get to the present-day, but trouble looms as the toys manufactured by elf Dudley Moore (in a wonderful performance) start to fall apart on all the children of the world. Moore feels shame and decides that it would be better to leave. Thus he falls in with evil toy manufacturer John Lithgow (in another fine role) and this is when the fun really starts. Burgess Meredith also has a short, endearing cameo. A production that is tame enough for young children, but is also interesting enough to keep the adults happy as well. Good overall. 4 stars out of 5.