Santa Claus: The Movie 2406759 220089322 2008-06-18T06:18:25Z Bobistall 5746608 {{Plot|date=July 2007}} {{Infobox_Film | name = Santa Claus | image = Santa-claus-movie-poster.jpg | caption = original movie poster | director = [[Jeannot Szwarc]] | writer = [[David Newman (filmmaker)|David Newman]] and<br>[[Leslie Newman]] (story)<br>[[David Newman (filmmaker)|David Newman]] (screenplay)| starring = [[Dudley Moore]]<br />[[John Lithgow]]<br />[[David Huddleston]]<br />[[Judy Cornwell]]<br />[[Burgess Meredith]] | producer = [[Pierre Spengler]]<br />[[Ilya Salkind]] | cinematography = [[Arthur Ibbetson]] | editing = [[Peter Hollywood]] | music = [[Henry Mancini]] | distributor = [[Tri-Star Pictures]] | runtime = 108 min. | country = {{USA}}/<br>{{UK}} | released = [[November 27]], [[1985]] | language = [[English language|English]] | budget = $50,000,000 (estimated) | gross = $23,500,000 (USA) | amg_id = 1:42838 | imdb_id = 0089961 | }} '''''Santa Claus: The Movie''''' (known on-screen as simply '''''Santa Claus''''') is a [[1985 in film|1985]] [[Christmas film]] starring [[Dudley Moore]] and [[John Lithgow]]. It is the last major [[fantasy film]] [[movie producer|produced]] by the [[Paris]]-based father-and-son production team of [[Alexander Salkind|Alexander]] and [[Ilya Salkind]]. The film was directed by [[Jeannot Szwarc]] and released in [[North America]] on [[November 27]], [[1985 in film|1985]] by [[Tri-Star Pictures]]. The 2005 DVD release was released by Anchor Bay Entertainment, now [[Starz Home Entertainment]], under license from the film's current owner, [[Studio Canal]]. ''Santa Claus: The Movie'' is a straightforward, [[Non-denominational Christianity|nondenominational]] attempt to explore the mysteries of [[Santa Claus]] with the key objective being to answer some of the basic questions many children have about the Santa Claus [[mythos]], such as how Santa's [[reindeer]] fly, how he and his wife made it to the [[North Pole]] and how Santa ascends [[chimney]]s, among other things. The film chronicles the origins of Santa Claus ([[David Huddleston]]), who, along with his wife Anya ([[Judy Cornwell]]), goes from being a simple working man to becoming an international icon of Christmas. At the same time, the film also tells a contemporary story in which one of Santa's [[elf|elves]] (alternately referred to as the ''"Vendequm"'' onscreen), a [[visionary]] named Patch ([[Dudley Moore]]), sets out to employ Santa's [[toy]]making methods on his own, unaware that he might be ruining the magic of Christmas in the process. == Plot summary == Somewhere in the 14th Century, Claus is an aging, peasant woodcutter who delivers his gifts with his wife Anya to the children of a certain village. One night, Claus, Anya and their reindeer, Donner and Blitzen, are rescued from certain death in a [[blizzard]], only to be transported to the vast "ice mountains, way up at the top of the world." Their expected arrival is heralded with the appearance of several [[elf|Elves]], or, as Claus's people call them in their legends, the ''Vendequm'', led by a wise, venerable old elf named Dooley (John Barrard). Here, too, they encounter the overzealous elf Patch (Moore), and his three trusty companions Boog (Tim Stern), Honka (Peter O'Farrell) and Vout ([[Christopher Ryan]]). The kindly couple is then led into the wondrous, wooden elf compound. Dooley explains to Claus and Anya that they have been brought here to spend eternity crafting and giving a fantastic array of toys to every child on Earth. Claus's first Christmas Eve as Santa begins when he is greeted by the Ancient One ([[Burgess Meredith]]), the oldest and wisest of all the Elves, who explains to Claus that he and Anya represent the fulfillment of a prophecy that a "Chosen One" would be brought into the Elves' world who, "having no child of his own, would love all children everywhere, and that he himself would be an artisan, and a craftsman, and a skilled maker of toys." He charges Santa with his sacred duties and the name by which he will be known throughout the world for all time to come: [[Santa Claus]]. Santa then boards his newly recrafted sleigh, while the reindeer are fed with an incredible feed that grants them the power of flight. Toward the mid-18th Century, Anya recommends not giving an unruly child a present, to punish him for his bad behavior. The film then jumps forward to present-day [[Manhattan]] --- where, in a dark and lonely alley, a young orphaned and homeless boy, Joe (Christian Fitzpatrick) struggles to keep himself warm. Across the street, in an elegant townhouse, a young girl named Cornelia (Carrie Kei Heim) suddenly notices the boy before being scolded by her nanny, Miss Tucker (Dorothea Phillips). Back at the North Pole, after Santa tells both Patch and Puffy (Anthony O'Donnell) that he will choose one of them for the newly-created position of Santa's Official Assistant, the two elves compete for the spot. Patch eventually wins out by [[mass production|mass producing]] toys using his new Patch-o-Matic Supertoy Constructor, as opposed to Puffy, who chooses slower, more traditional methods of hand-crafting. However, unseen by anyone except the viewer, during operation, the machine malfunctions, screwdrivers snap, and the machine creates toys by means of a faster, more automated method --- but a method of poorer quality. Later, as Santa takes flight on Christmas Eve, he meets Joe who has been searching for food in the trash. Santa is appalled that such a young child is made to live on his own and offers to take Joe along with him. Santa's authenticity gets through to the normally [[cynicism|cynical]] Joe, and the two go for a magical ride in Santa's sleigh. Santa shows Joe all the moves he can do, but falls short of showing him the "Super Duper Looper", as it is too hard for the reindeer. On Christmas morning many children find that their toys from Santa made by Patch's Supertoy Constructor prove defective. Ashamed in the company of his fellow elves, blinded by his own distrust of Santa, Patch leaves the North Pole, determined to prove himself to Santa. Puffy is then appointed Santa's Official Assistant. Eventually, Patch meets up with B.Z. (John Lithgow), a businessman who is under investigation by the [[United States Senate]] for shoddy manufacturing processing at his toy company. Prior to this, we see Patch passing by a toy store, where B.Z.'s toys are being [[product recall|recalled]]. Mistakingly, Patch thinks the toys must be unable to stay on the shelves, as they must be selling like hotcakes. B.Z. convinces Patch to work with him and B.Z. airs a [[television advertisement|television commercial]] that is broadcast on every major [[television network]] on Earth. Among those watching the commercial are Joe, Cornelia (B.Z.'s step-niece) and Santa himself. Patch eventually takes flight on Christmas Eve just like Santa, in his own vehicle called the "Patchmobile" and delivering lollipops. Patch's outing turns out to be a large success, with his worldwide popularity now rivaling that of Santa's, a fact which Santa is quick to note as he drops off presents to households that already have Patch's special lollipops. His well-received lollipops result in B.Z. making Patch exclusive to his company at a [[news conference|press conference]]. After this success, the ever-reluctant Patch considers himself ready to return to the North Pole, but after revealing to B.Z. that the magic lollipops can make children fly, B.Z. is quick to capitalize on this and suggests using the same magic for [[candy cane]]s in an effort he plans to market as "Christmas II". Joe and Cornelia catch wind of the plan from B.Z. and Towzer a few nights later, resulting in Joe being captured by Grizzard and taken to B.Z.'s factory. Towzer then reveals that the candy canes in production overreact when exposed to extreme heat, rendering them volatile. B.Z. dismisses this news as a reckless afterthought, and proposes to Towzer that the two of them escape to [[Brazil]], which has no [[extradition]] treaty with the United States, thus leaving Patch to take the blame for all the possible chaos. The next morning, Cornelia writes to Santa about Joe's capture; once he learns of this, Santa wastes little time in taking off for Cornelia's place, regardless of the fact that he must make do with only six reindeer, as a result of Comet and Cupid both having come down with the flu. Cornelia tells Santa that she contacted the police about Joe's kidnapping, but doubts she was taken seriously. Back at B.Z.'s factory, Patch rescues the captured Joe. Though Joe is initially angry at Patch for ruining Christmas, Patch discovers that Joe is carrying a wooden likeness of Patch crafted by Santa, suggesting to Patch that Santa might like him after all. The two now resolve to deliver all the candy canes to Santa as a present in the Patchmobile, unaware of the canes' lethal [[unintended consequence|side effects]]. At the same time, B.Z. finds himself surrounded by the New York City Police Department, in response to Cornelia having called them, which they did indeed take seriously. The NYPD, already having apprehended and handcuffed Grizzard and Towzer, yells to B.Z. via a [[megaphone|bullhorn]] that they have a warrant for his kidnapping of Joe, and that he must either surrender or they will enter his office. As the policemen are on their way up to his office, B.Z. eats an entire handful of the magic candy canes — only to find himself floating higher and higher, disappearing into the [[stratosphere]]. Meanwhile, Patch and Joe continue on their journey, until they find themselves in need of rescue, as the Patchmobile's continuing speed causes the candy canes to heat up, in turn causing certain unprotected wiring to violently self-activate. Santa, in pursuit, manages to rescue them from the exploding Patchmobile after a tense moment where ultimately, he must execute the one move he has never been able to properly execute: the previously mentioned "Super Duper Looper". The film ends with a joyous celebration with Santa, Anya and the other elves .... and it seems that Cornelia and Joe will stay with Santa at the North Pole. Dooley reacts to the idea mockingly, saying: "As if I don't have enough to do! Now I'm going to have to be a school teacher!" To which the two children gasp: "School?!" The final scene ends with B.Z. suspended in space along with the remnants of the Patchmobile, floating higher and yelling for help. == Production == Conceived by [[Ilya Salkind]] in the wake of the apparently waning critical and U.S. box office success of [[1983 in film|1983]]'s ''[[Superman III]]'' and its immediate follow-up, [[1984 in film|1984]]'s ''[[Supergirl (film)|Supergirl]]'', ''Santa Claus: The Movie'' was directed by [[Jeannot Szwarc]], who had directed ''Supergirl'', from a story by [[David Newman (filmmaker)|David]] and [[Leslie Newman]]. David Newman, however, took sole screenplay credit. [[Pierre Spengler]], Ilya's longtime partner, and the third key element of Team Salkind, joined Alexander's son as the project's producer. ''Santa Claus: The Movie'' was filmed in [[Buckinghamshire]], [[England]] at [[Pinewood Studios]], between August and November [[1984 in film|1984]]. The film was photographed by [[Arthur Ibbetson]], whose credits, among others, included the original ''Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'' (1971). ''Santa Claus: The Movie'' was his final feature film. Serving as [[film editing|film editor]] was [[Peter Hollywood]]. The production was designed by Anthony Pratt, with costume design concepts by Bob Ringwood. The visual effects unit, as well as several of the production staff, were comprised of Salkind stalwarts from the ''Superman'' films: [[Derek Meddings]], director of visual and miniature effects, Roy Field, optical visual effects supervisor and David Lane, flying and [[second unit]] director. The [[documentary film|documentary]] ''Santa Claus: The Making of The Movie'' chronicles the film's production. The documentary is introduced by David Huddleston, in character as Santa, with Dudley Moore serving as on-screen host. The [[voice over]] commentary is done by Ted Maynard, who had also done voice overs for the film's original [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[film trailer|trailer]]. The documentary originally aired in the United States on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], on Christmas Eve, [[1987 in television|1987]]. [[Starz Home Entertainment|Anchor Bay Entertainment]]'s 20th anniversary [[DVD]] of the film includes this documentary as a bonus feature. == Santa's elves == The elves in the film are portrayed as legendary beings known as the ''Vendequm''. According to the ''Santa Claus: The Movie'' [[novelization]] written by [[science fiction]]/fantasy novelist [[Joan D. Vinge]], the elves keep watch over all that happens in the world that borders their own [[magic (fantasy)|magic]]al realm. The ''Vendequm'' are described as being extremely fond of children since, after all, only children can see them, due to the innocence of their youth. The elves are fond of making things for children, and so they often journeyed out into the children's world, leaving their newly crafted toys where children would find them. According to the novel, with the passing of each new [[century]], and as [[civilization]]s continued to rise and fall, it became more and more difficult and dangerous for the elves to venture too far out into the human world. Thus the vast majority of the toys the elves made could not be given out, and were left to gather dust in their magnificent storeroom, the Toy Tunnel. The novel also describes how, on a certain long-winter's night, the oldest and wisest elf of all, the Ancient One, foresaw the arrival of a man whose love for children would be equal to that of the elves. The Ancient One believed that this man would be the one to whom the elves would grant full [[immortality]], along with the ability to deliver the elves' gifts to children all over the world. In addition to Patch, Dooley, Puffy, Boog, Honka and Vout, the film's [[screenplay]] and cast listing features three additional elves: Groot, the Elves' Senior [[Chef]]; Goober, the head of the Elves' [[tailor]]ing shop, who crafts Santa's full red robes; and Goobler, who trains several of his fellow elves in the art of painting toys with their own beards. == Reception == Reaction to ''Santa Claus: The Movie'' has generally been negative, with a rating of 18% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]], from the 17 reviews counted.<ref name="RT">{{cite web|title=Santa Claus: The Movie - Rotten Tomatoes |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/santa_claus_the_movie|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> [[Box Office Mojo]] lists the film's total [[United States]] box office gross as [[United States dollar|$]]23,717,291, less than half the film's listed $50 million production budget.<ref name="Mojo">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=santaclausthemovie.htm|title=Santa Claus: The Movie total gross|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' critic [[Roger Ebert]] noted some positive points to the film, writing that the film "does an interesting job of visualizing Santa's workshop" and Santa's elves. He also praised the film's [[special effect]]s, particularly the New York City flyover sequence involving Santa. Ebert also had some praise for Lithgow's "nice hateful performance" but wrote that "the villain is not drawn big enough." He ceded that young children would probably like most of the film, but that older children and adults are "likely to find a lot of it a little thin."<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19851127/REVIEWS/511270302/1023|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=[[1985-11-27]]|publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|title=Rogerebert.com - Santa Claus: The Movie review|accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> [[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' was less positive than Ebert, calling the production "elaborate and tacky". He described the film as having "the manner of a listless musical without any production numbers". Unlike Ebert, he offered little praise for the film's production design. Canby quipped that "Santa's workshop must be the world's largest purchaser of low-grade plywood" and that the flyover sequences with Santa "aren't great." The only praise he had for the film's acting was for John Lithgow, who Canby wrote "(gave) the film's only remotely stylish performance."<ref name="Canby">{{cite web |url=http://movies2.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?_r=2&title1=&title2=SANTA%20CLAUS%3A%20THE%20MOVIE%20%28MOVIE%29&reviewer=Vincent%20Canby&v_id=42838&pdate=19851127|title=FILM: 'SANTA CLAUS,' WITH MOORE AND LITHGOW |last=Canby |first=Vincent |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date=[[1985-11-27]] |accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> A more recent review by William Mager on [[BBC|BBC.co.uk]]'s review section echoed Canby and Ebert's comments.<ref name="Mager">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/12/01/santa_claus_1985_review.shtml|last=Mager|firstpublisher=[[BBC|BBC.co.uk]]|title=BBC - Santa Claus: The Movie film review|date=[[2000-12-01]] |accessdate=2006-12-14}}</ref> As previously mentioned, [[Studio Canal]] owns the ancillary rights, while [[CBS Paramount Television]] controls TV rights (in the U.S., it currently airs on [[American Movie Classics]] under license from CBS). == Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed and conducted by [[Henry Mancini]], composer of the themes from ''[[The Pink Panther Theme|The Pink Panther]]'' and ''[[Peter Gunn]]'', with veteran lyricist and screenwriter [[Leslie Bricusse]] contributing five original songs.<ref>Soundtrack: [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008EUKV Santa Claus: The Movie soundtrack] at [[Amazon.com]]</ref> #"Main Title: Every Christmas Eve <sup>1</sup> and Santa's Theme (Giving)" (Mancini/Bricusse) #"Arrival of the Elves" (Mancini) #"Making Toys" (Mancini/Bricusse)<sup>2</sup> #"Christmas Rhapsody: Deck the Halls/Joy to the World/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/12 Days of Christmas/O Tannenbaum/The First Noel/Silent Night" #"It's Christmas Again" (Mancini/Bricusse)<sup>2</sup> #"March of the Elves" (Mancini) #"Patch, Natch!" (Mancini/Bricusse) <sup>3</sup> #"It's Christmas (All over the World)" (Bill House, John Hobbs)<sup>5</sup> #"Shouldn't Do That" (Nick Beggs, Stuart Croxford, Neal Askew, Steve Askew) <sup>4</sup> #"Sleigh Ride over Manhattan" (Mancini) #"Sad Patch" (Mancini) #"Patch Versus Santa" (Mancini) #"Thank You, Santa" (Mancini/Bricusse) <sup>2</sup> <sup>1</sup>Sung by [[Aled Jones]]<br/> <sup>2</sup>Performed by the Ambrosian Children's Choir. <br/> <sup>3</sup>Performed by the Ambrosian Singers<br/> <sup>4</sup>Produced by Ken Scott and performed by Kaja<br/> <sup>5</sup>Produced by Keith Olsen for Pogologo Corporation, and performed by [[Sheena Easton]]. == See also == * [[Santa Claus in film]] == References == {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{wikiquote}} * {{imdb title|id=0089961|title=Santa Claus}} * {{amg title|id=1:42838|title=Santa Claus}} * {{rotten-tomatoes|id=santa_claus_the_movie|title=Santa Claus}} * [http://www.listal.com/movie/santa-claus-1985] Santa Claus at Listal.com * [http://kringlequest.tripod.com KringleQuest.com Beyond] - fan site * [http://www.kiddiematinee.com/s-santa85.html Review of the film at KiddieMatinee.com] [[Category:1985 films]] [[Category:Adventure films]] [[Category:American films]] [[Category:British films]] [[Category:Children's films]] [[Category:Christmas fiction]] [[Category:Christmas films]] [[Category:English-language films]] [[Category:Family films]] [[Category:Fantasy films]] [[Category:Santa Claus in film and television]] [[Category:TriStar films]] [[Category:Films directed by Jeannot Szwarc]]