Santa Claus: The Movie (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
1985's Christmastime fantasy movie, 'Santa Claus: The Movie', directed by Jeannot Szwarc & written by David & Leslie Newman (who wrote 1978's Superman), is a warm-hearted & lavish production that small kids would love most, and contains a better 1st half than its 2nd. The 1st 1/2 of the story, set hundreds of yrs. ago, shows how a kindly man/master toymaker named Claus (David Huddleston) who was loved by all in his neighborhood froze one night in a blizzard while delivering toys; only then to be magically spirited away to the North Pole with his wife, Anya (Judy Cornwell), & pet reindeer, where he discovers a magical kingdom of toy-making elves, and becomes the ultimate, immortal superpower of Christmas Eve, Santa Claus.
The 2nd 1/2 of the story moves into the modern times, in which Santa Claus' visionary, if too eager-to-please elf, Patch (Dudley Moore), fouls up some toys in the North Pole; is disgraced to NYC; and then falls-in with an evil, unscrupulous toy tycoon, B.Z. (John Lithgow) who schemes to corner the toy market using dangerous tactics and eliminate the need for Santa Claus forever. One great scene involves a Senate hearing where a shocked Senate aide empties out the stuffing of one of B.Z.'s toys. What had B.Z. and co. stuffed the toy animal with? Well, nails, rusty razors & small shards of glass, don'tcha know!? {Gee, that's dark!} And so begins Santa's great adventure to rescue Patch & save Christmas from B.Z. for all the children of the world.
Though the title infers that the main character is Santa, it is really Dudley Moore's movie as Patch and, he gives a typically appealing turn as the disgraced, but loveable elf who deserves redemption. John Lithgow excels as the suitably loathsome B.Z. But he's neither in the film long enough for good effect, or has enough to do; a script flaw. Sure, he's bad; but we needed more. And so, there is a lack of major conflict in the tale. I enjoyed Burgess Meredith as Ancient Elf {he took over from an elderly James Cagney, who was too ill to execute the role}. And I got a kick out of seeing Judy Cornwell as 'Mrs. Claus' because I've loved her as daffy sister Daisy on the 1990s hit British Show Keeping Up Appearances, for so very long. Good cast.
The budget for this film was quite large due to the absolutely gorgeous production with incredible sets & stellar special effects. I'm recalling Santa's long rows of toys in the North Pole, and Santa's taking flight is a magical highlight. When Santa's sleigh - pulled by his reindeer, who were all trained for this film - runs past the Brooklyn Bridge, it's a wondrous sight. There are also a plethora of original songs sprinkled throughout the film by the great Henry Mancini & Leslie Bricusse. Some are good, some are clunky. So yeah, 'Santa Claus: The Movie', has issues. It was a box office & critical dud. And the 1st half set hundred of yrs. ago, is clearly better than the 2nd. But it is executed with zest, jolly goodness & relative charm for young kids to enjoy.
The 2nd 1/2 of the story moves into the modern times, in which Santa Claus' visionary, if too eager-to-please elf, Patch (Dudley Moore), fouls up some toys in the North Pole; is disgraced to NYC; and then falls-in with an evil, unscrupulous toy tycoon, B.Z. (John Lithgow) who schemes to corner the toy market using dangerous tactics and eliminate the need for Santa Claus forever. One great scene involves a Senate hearing where a shocked Senate aide empties out the stuffing of one of B.Z.'s toys. What had B.Z. and co. stuffed the toy animal with? Well, nails, rusty razors & small shards of glass, don'tcha know!? {Gee, that's dark!} And so begins Santa's great adventure to rescue Patch & save Christmas from B.Z. for all the children of the world.
Though the title infers that the main character is Santa, it is really Dudley Moore's movie as Patch and, he gives a typically appealing turn as the disgraced, but loveable elf who deserves redemption. John Lithgow excels as the suitably loathsome B.Z. But he's neither in the film long enough for good effect, or has enough to do; a script flaw. Sure, he's bad; but we needed more. And so, there is a lack of major conflict in the tale. I enjoyed Burgess Meredith as Ancient Elf {he took over from an elderly James Cagney, who was too ill to execute the role}. And I got a kick out of seeing Judy Cornwell as 'Mrs. Claus' because I've loved her as daffy sister Daisy on the 1990s hit British Show Keeping Up Appearances, for so very long. Good cast.
The budget for this film was quite large due to the absolutely gorgeous production with incredible sets & stellar special effects. I'm recalling Santa's long rows of toys in the North Pole, and Santa's taking flight is a magical highlight. When Santa's sleigh - pulled by his reindeer, who were all trained for this film - runs past the Brooklyn Bridge, it's a wondrous sight. There are also a plethora of original songs sprinkled throughout the film by the great Henry Mancini & Leslie Bricusse. Some are good, some are clunky. So yeah, 'Santa Claus: The Movie', has issues. It was a box office & critical dud. And the 1st half set hundred of yrs. ago, is clearly better than the 2nd. But it is executed with zest, jolly goodness & relative charm for young kids to enjoy.