Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

The Martians kidnap Santa Claus because there is nobody on Mars to give their children presents.

Director:

Nicholas Webster

Writers:

Glenville Mareth (screenplay), Paul L. Jacobson (based on a story by)

Stars:

John Call, Leonard Hicks, Vincent Beck

Bottom Rated Movies #42 | See the Bottom Rated Movies as rated by our users.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Call	...	Santa Claus
Leonard Hicks	...	Kimar
Vincent Beck	...	Voldar
Bill McCutcheon	...	Dropo
Victor Stiles	...	Billy Foster
Donna Conforti	...	Betty Foster
Chris Month	...	Bomar
Pia Zadora	...	Girmar
Lelia Martin	...	Momar (as Leila Martin)
Charles Renn	...	Hargo
James Cahill	...	Rigna
Ned Wertimer	...	Andy Henderson
Doris Rich	...	Mrs. Claus
Carl Don	...	Chochem / Von Green
Ivor Bodin	...	Winky

Storyline

Worried that their children have become obsessed with television shows from Earth which extol the virtues of Santa Claus, Martians begin an expedition to Earth to kidnap the one and only Santa Claus. While on Earth, they kidnap two lively children that lead the group of Martians to the North Pole and Santa Claus. The Martians then take Santa Claus and the two children back to Mars with them. Voldar, a particularly grumpy Martian, attempts to do away with the children and Santa Claus before they get to Mars, but their leader Lord Kimar stops him. When they arrive on Mars, Santa Claus, with the help of the two Earth children and a rather simple-minded Martian lackey, overcomes the Martians by bringing fun, happiness and Christmas cheer to the children of Mars.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | martian | santa claus | christmas | brother sister relationship | 

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Taglines:

Santa kidnapped by the Martians! Out-of-this-world fun 'n' action...as two Earth kids are whisked away with him to Mars!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film includes the first documented appearance of Mrs. Claus.

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Goofs

Most of the newspapers that flash by say nothing about Santa being kidnapped. Some are merely foreign language papers.

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Quotes

[Voldar doesn't think it's worth the trouble to kidnap Santa Claus and fly him to Mars]
Voldar: All this trouble over a fat little man in a red suit!

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits title page says "Santa Clause Conquers the Martians".

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Connections

Referenced in I Hate Everything: the Search for the Worst: Troll 2 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Hooray for Santa Claus
Written by Roy Alfred and Milton Delugg
Performed by the children's chorus
[Played over both the opening and closing credits]

User Reviews

Not NEARLY as bad as people make it out to be...AND a lot more fun than it has any right to be!

I still very much appreciate its spirit, both in terms of no-budget filmmaking and sense of fun. I wish that the films of today could have even a fraction of its good-natured mischievous approach. Certainly film studios could learn a thing or two, in this ridiculous era of quarter-of-a-billion-dollar blockbusters. I for one don't need the equivalent of 'having my eyes masturbated', as one cinema critic so lovingly stated.

I would prefer watching this in a second over any of the ham-fisted, cash-soaked holiday atrocities made in the past three decades (I believe 'A Christmas Story', and perhaps 'Elf' and 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' to be the last decently-made Yuletide films).

But don't take MY word for it...see it for yourself (without the stupid and condescending MST3K commentary) and make your OWN conclusion.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jalor Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min 86 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1