That’s right: Santa Claus the Movie. Not the Santa Clause, you 90’s spawn! Why, in the annals of history, do I select this movie?
• It came out Christmas of 1985, the single greatest year for Xmas ever.
• I was seven years old, and my Mom agreed to take me. It was a rare treat for us to go see a movie together.
• That year I got Optimus Prime – best Christmas present ever.
Anyway, bullet points aside, there are a few points of awesomeness that bear discussion. One: SC:TM (as we fans call it) was, in essence, two movies in one. The first is the origin of Santa, about 45 minutes to an hour. This part is pure gold, absolutely wonderful and built with amazing sets never to be equaled again. The second half is the drama of Cornelia and Joe, two kids who fall in with Santa Claus, Patch the elf (played by Dudley Moore) and a few others who oppose BZ, the evil toymaker. This part borders on OK, but is wonderful in that it contains product placement typical of the 80s. Coca-Cola gets a huge mention (as Cornelia gives a can to Joe with some food) and McDonalds gets a moment in the sun also, as Joe the ragamuffin looks in with hunger.
To this day, every time I watch this movie, I have to have a can of Coke and a McDonalds meal while watchign it. Product placement works, folks.
Oddly enough, the juggernaut of licensees were relatively few: perhaps it was the low box office take, the failure of Alexander and Ilya Salkind’s movie production company, or the fact that an evil toymaker was the villain, but as far as I can tell, they made posters, several books (available at, you guessed it, McDonalds, natch), storybooks, pop-ups, and from LJN, a few PVC figures in a boxed set that didn’t look too much like the characters. Sadly, as stated above, it didn’t do blockbuster numbers, and it seems Hallmark was the major licensee for the film. While SC:TM killed the Salkinds in Hollywood, it created a magnum opus of Christmas-ness that really embodied the eighties: the odd obsession with almost Victorian times (you’d think Cornie and Joe were in London in the 1800’s till the Coke can shows up), product placement, a schizophrenic script that is two movies in one, and much more.
This movie reverberates for any who really have Christmas in their heart, and the 80’s in their childhood. I’m sure its one of those things that people outside the time think is horrible, but as a seven year old in a tiny hatchback with the heat turned up high and idling at the McDonalds window as I received my happy meal and book about this new movie, there is nothing that brings back Christmas like this movie.
Remember SC:TM? Drop a comment.
8 responses so far ↓
Cameron T. // November 23, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Not only do I remember it, but I also agree it’s one of the best Christmas movies of all time! I really need to get this one on DVD.
Check the Wikipedia Article: Did you know that this was done by the same team that Made Superman? And the photographer also shot Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? And the Soundtrack was done by the composer of the Peter Gunn theme?
Seems like this movie got almost forgotten by everyone. Last year was the first time I had seen it on TV since the 80s… I hope they show it again this year.
Amy // November 23, 2008 at 6:01 pm
It’s so weird, but I don’t think I’ve EVER seen this movie. And I don’t know why. I will try, but if it’s not on tv I might have to wait till next year.
ULTRAMAN // November 28, 2008 at 12:58 am
I can’t say I remember this one, but iv’e probably seen it befor, despite my foggy memory.
Dan // November 28, 2008 at 1:41 am
I’ve heard of this movie and remember when it came out but I can’t say that I’ve ever actually sat down to watch it. I may give it a shot this year.
Drina // December 17, 2008 at 5:50 am
I remember this movie and have been trying to find it for a very long time. Can you please email me back and give me the full title. Or is the title really the greatest 80’s christmas Movie Ever? I would love to let my children watch it.
Richard // October 14, 2009 at 5:49 am
Santa Claus The Movie is available on Blu-ray from the 2nd of November.
okmulgeenazarene // October 14, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Richard, you are my hero. Thanks for the heads up!
Courtney // November 24, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I’ve been looking for the name of this movie for years! When I was really little in the 80’s, I remember watching a Christmas movie where someone set out food and a can of coke. I swear, everytime I have a can of coke now, I think of that. Now I finally know what it is and I saw it at Walmart the other day for only $7.50 on DVD! Thank you!