Dot and Santa Claus (1981)

In search of a kangaroo, a little girl receives help from Santa Claus.

Director:

Yoram Gross

Writers:

Yoram Gross (original story), Yoram Gross (screenplay)

Stars:

Drew Forsythe, Barbara Frawley, Ron Haddrick

Cast

Cast overview:
Drew Forsythe	...	Danny the Swagman (live action segments) / Santa Claus (animated segments) (voice)
Barbara Frawley	...	Dot / Zebra / French Swallow (voice)
Ron Haddrick	...	Grumblebones / Frog / Circus Elephant / Tiger / British Lion (voice)
Anne Haddy	...	Dozeyface / Angry Mum / Natasha (voice)
Ross Higgins	...	Reindeer / Mr. Nagamora / Kite Judge / Ringmaster (voice)
Ben Alcott	...	Ben (live action segments) (voice)
Ashley Ayre	...	Dot (live action segments) (as Ashlie Ayres)
Frank Gott	...	Additional Actor (live action segments)
Marli Mason	...	Additional Actress (live action segments)

Storyline

In search of a kangaroo, a little girl receives help from Santa Claus.

---

Plot Keywords:

santa claus | kangaroo | christmas | child | independent film | 

---

Genres:

Animation | Family | Fantasy

---

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

1981 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Dot and Santa Claus

Company Credits

Production Co:

Yoram Gross Films,The Australian Film Commission

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dot is revealed to have a brother named Ben in this film. However, she later has a different one named Simon in "Dot and Keeto."

---

Goofs

When Dot meets the British Lion statue in London, she is initially standing on the ground, looking at him. In the next shot in which they appear together, she is now sitting on his back.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Alan King/Vlasta Krsek (1985)

User Reviews

Christmas time with Dot

There is very little to add to what has been said in the previous review, which sums up 'Dot and Santa Claus' very well indeed. 'Dot and Santa Claus' is the first sequel to 'Dot and the Kangaroo' and is one of its better sequels and doesn't fare too badly in ranking of the series.

'Dot and Santa Claus' is not perfect. It is agreed that some of the trippy sequences, such as the volcano monsters, add very little, next to nothing in fact, and feel very out of place within the rest of the film. The ending does feel abrupt, and again like 'Dot and the Kangaroo', while not as repetitive, the animation is not always great, being flat in colour and lacking finesse.

However, the backgrounds are meticulously detailed and the live action works very well and doesn't jar at all.

Meanwhile, the music fares much better than in 'Dot and the Kangaroo'. "Are You Going to the Circus" fares best, while the touching "It's So Easy to be Lost in a Crowd" and uplifting "Ingenuity" are not too far behind.

The script is funny, poignant and heart-warming, while the characters are engaging and well voiced by the likes of Barbara Frawley, Ron Haddrick and Drew Forsythe.

Like with 'Dot and the Kangaroo', it's the story where 'Dot and Santa Claus' shines brightest. Parts are fun and uplifting, but it's the charm and emotional heart that's particularly note-worthy, really warming the heart and moving even the most cynical of adults to at least a tear or two. The messaging is sincere and never preachy or tacked-on.

In summary, good first follow-up. 7/10 Bethany Cox