The Santa Clause (1994)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

John Pasquin

Writers (WGA):

Leo Benvenuti (written by) &
Steve Rudnick (written by)

Release Date:

11 November 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

This Christmas, the snow hits the fan.

Plot:

When a man inadvertantly kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Sleigh | North Pole | Flying | Fat Suit

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Tim Allen	...	Scott Calvin / Santa Claus
Wendy Crewson	...	Laura Calvin Miller
Judge Reinhold	...	Dr. Neil Miller
Eric Lloyd	...	Charlie Calvin
David Krumholtz	...	Bernard the Elf
Larry Brandenburg	...	Det. Nunzio
Mary Gross	...	Miss Daniels
Paige Tamada	...	Judy the Elf
Peter Boyle	...	Mr. Whittle
Judith Scott	...	Susan Perry
Jayne Eastwood	...	Judy the Waitress
Melissa King	...	Sarah the Little Girl
Bradley Wentworth	...	Elf at North Pole
Azura Bates	...	Elf in Hangar
Joshua Satok	...	Larry the Elf

MPAA:

Rated PG for a few crude moments.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Canada:G | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. (bw) | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Walt Disney Pictures

Trivia:

Elves are scattered throughout the movie in Scott and Charlie's world. The little blonde girl walking away from the window at the opening of the movie; the little boy putting his jacket on and wearing a red scarf as Scott and Charlie are led to their seat in Denny's; the girl walking behind the bench when Scott has kids lined up at Charlie's soccer game; the girl in the purple coat who walks by Scott and Charlie in the park when Scott wants Charlie to stop talking about the Santa Claus; and the attentive little boy in the blue turtleneck behind Charlie's desk during show and tell are all elves. They show up as a group at the end of the movie when Scott flies away from the Miller house, they are the kids who run and skip off.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The scene where Scott and Charlie pull into the Denny's parking lot a sign that says "The Beer Store" can be seen- "The Beer Store" is where people only in Ontario buy beer by the case. This film is supposed to take place in Illinois.

Quotes:

Bernard: The Santa Clause: In putting on the suit and entering the sleigh, the wearer waives any and all right to any previous identity, real or implied, and fully accepts the duties and responsibilities of Santa Claus, in perpetuity to which some time the wearer becomes unable to do so, by either accident or design.
Scott Calvin: What does that mean?
Bernard: It means: If you put on the suit, you're the big guy.
Scott Calvin: This is ridiculous! I didn't just put on the suit to -...
Bernard: Try to understand this!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Christmas Movie Quiz (2007) (VG)

Soundtrack:

The Bells of Christmas

A Classic

This came out when I was a kid, and I've always regarded it as a classic. And I don't think the years have hurt it either, because it doesn't have corny humor or effects that audiences wouldn't enjoy nowadays.

It's hard to specifically critique it, but it has a great, unique feeling to it. There's interesting lessons of family and belief throughout the film that probably give it this feeling. The cast is also very memorable, and I can still picture scenes in my head, after having not watched it for quite a while. It's movies like this that Hollywood should be aiming to create, and not trying to extend them through mediocre sequels -- like they did for this film.