The Santa Clause (1994)

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

Director:

John Pasquin

Writers:

Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick

Stars:

Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Allen	...	Scott Calvin
Judge Reinhold	...	Neal
Wendy Crewson	...	Laura
Eric Lloyd	...	Charlie
David Krumholtz	...	Bernard
Larry Brandenburg	...	Detective Nunzio
Mary Gross	...	Ms. Daniels
Paige Tamada	...	Elf-Judy
Peter Boyle	...	Mr. Whittle
Judith Scott	...	Susan
Jayne Eastwood	...	Waitress
Melissa King	...	Little Girl
Bradley Wentworth	...	Elf at North Pole
Azura Bates	...	Elf in Hangar
Joshua Satok	...	Elf-Larry

Storyline

Divorcee Scott Calvin is disgusted to learn that his ex and her husband have tried - and failed - to break it easy to their 6-year-old son Charlie that Santa isn't real. On Christmas Eve, Scott reads The Night Before Christmas... then receives an unexpected visitor on his roof. When he's startled by Scott's calling out and falls, the Santa impersonator disappears, leaving only an 8-reindeer sleigh and a suit with instructions to put it on if he's involved in an accident. Scott does, and is transported around the town dropping gifts through chimneys until he's taken to the North Pole and informed by a group who claim they're elves that he is now Santa. Charlie is proud of his dad's new job, though Scott's convinced it's a dream. Until his hair turns white, his beard refuses to stay shaved, he gains weight inexplicably, even for his sudden love of junk food... Now he's accepted it, there's just one problem: how to keep it secret from his disbelieving family?

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Plot Keywords:

christmas eve | surrealism | christmas tree | santa suit | toy maker | 

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Taglines:

This Christmas, the snow hits the fan.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for a few crude moments

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

11 November 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Santa Clause

Filming Locations:

Hillcrest Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$144,833,357

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$189,800,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures,Hollywood Pictures,Outlaw Productions (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After putting the first turkey fire out, Scott says, "And that's why it's important to have a high quality fire extinguisher right in the kitchen," just like his other character Tim Taylor would on Home Improvement (1991). On Home Improvement, Tim is a very accident prone tool show host who is frequently using those accidents as teaching moments for his cable access show.

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Goofs

During Scott's first visit to the North Pole, when Bernard is explaining the consequences of Scott choosing not to believe in Santa, David Krumholtz's real curly hair is seen peeking out of his cap, behind the fake braids.

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Quotes

Charlie: Neil doesn't believe in Santa.
Scott: Well, Neil's head comes to a point.

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Alternate Versions

In the same version, the part where Scott says "Where the hell did this come from?" after banging into the ladder was edited.

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Connections

Referenced in Last Man Standing: Bride of Prankenstein (2018)

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Soundtracks

Christmas Will Return
Written by Jimmy Webb
Performed by Brenda Russell and Howard Hewett
Howard Hewett appears courtesy of Caliber Records
Produced by Dennis Lambert

User Reviews

A Christmas favorite

I remember the first time I saw the trailer for The Santa Clause. It was during the previews for The Lion King. As soon as the camera panned up from the snow globe to reveal Tim Allen, all the people in the theater began to laugh. This is a great, wholesome, funny flick that grown-ups and kidlets both can enjoy. Tim Allen was perfect to play the dad who becomes Santa, and I love when he burned the roast! I also thought the actor who played Bernard the elf was very funny and stole every scene he was in. And I especially enjoyed Judge Reinhold's turn as Neal Miller. I love the scene where he finally gets the hot dog whistle he'd wanted since he was a kid! Great holiday fun!