Live Action Discussions: The Santa Clause

[ichabod]

<center>The Santa Clause (1994)



Originally released - 11 November 1994
Director - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0664756/">John Pasquin</a>

Main Cast
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000741/">Tim Allen</a> - Scott Calvin / Santa Claus
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005156/>Eric Lloyd<a> - Charlie Calvin
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0472710/">David Crumholtz</a> - Bernard
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0187724/">Wendy Crewson</a> - Laura Calvin Miller
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001662/">Judge Reinhold</a> - Dr. Neil Miller
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0848402/">Paige Tamada</a> - Judy the Elf

Domestic Gross - $144,833,357 ($227,991,265 adjusted)
Worldwide Gross - $189,833,357 ($298,828,585 adjusted)</center>

Superstar comedian and Golden Globe winner Tim Allen shines bright in Disney`s magical, larger-than-life hit comedy. Rooftop clatter leads to merry adventure after Santa falls down on the job, and Scott Calvin`s son Charlie convinces dad to try on the red suit. Eight reindeer pilot the pair to the North Pole, where they soon discover that by donning the famous suit, dad must now accept all of Santa`s duties! Over the next year, a surprised, not-so-jolly Scott grows a Santa-sized tummy and beard, causing friends, family and business associates to wonder if he`s lost his marbles. All except Charlie, who thinks his dad is perfectly suited for his new job. Each well-kept secret of the North Pole is revealed in Disney`s hilarious and heartwarming tale. Now you can unwrap all the magic of Christmas any day of the year.

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Well The Santa Clause is a must for me every year! Ever since I saw it years ago on TV and taped it, I've watched it a dozen times. It's a wondeful combination of the modern world mixed in with the wooden carved snow covered ideals of Christmas, something which doesn't happen very well that often. The Santa Clause is a fun packed, action packed piece of whimsy with a brilliant story, one of the things that makes it so strong is the emotional backstory of the divorce. The film conjours such a wonderful sense of whimsy and excitement, especially the wonderful sets of the north pole.

However I must admit the special effects, I don't think are as good as they could have been, perhaps Disney probably were not expecting the smash they got. And what a hit it was, easily one of Disney's highest grossing live action films.

Also, even though I love that film, a lot of that seems to come from memory. I can't describe how exactly but when I watch it now, it never seems the same as it did back then, almost as if something is missing. An is never as good as I remember it being. I've had these feelings for years now, and yet every Christmas it's probably the one I anticipate wanting to watch most. Strange! A first class story in any doubt, and one that should have been left alone without the drastically sub par sequals.
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Next time: Snowball Express

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[goofystitch]

I loved this as a kid. In fact, I overplayed it so much that I stoped watching it. Right before the sequel came out, I got the "special edition" DVD and rediscovered it because the last time I saw it, I didn't understand much of the jokes between Scott Calvin and Judge Reinghold. The adult humor is what is missing from the sequels and is the main reason why this is the best of the three. That and it was made with more detail and not dumbed down for kids. This has since been in a league with "The Christmas Story" and "Christmas Vacation" in my family.

[MickeyMousePal]

This is a great film and a silly movie at the same time.

[DaveWadding]

"1-800-SPANK-ME? I know that number!"

We hardly knew ye.

[PixarFan2006]

This is one of my favorite holiday movies. I have the DVD and I am annoyed that they took out the 1-800-SPANK-ME gag (Thank you, censorship.) Other than that the DVD is okay.

[JiminyCrick91]

I am annoyed that they took out the 1-800-SPANK-ME gag (Thank you, censorship.).

Well it was only taken out was a REAL number!

[littlefuzzy]

I am annoyed that they took out the 1-800-SPANK-ME gag (Thank you, censorship.).

Well it was only taken out was a REAL number!

Still, they could have used the TV dub: 1 800 Pound, instead of removing the entire scene..

[Luke]

Still, they could have used the TV dub: 1 800 Pound, instead of removing the entire scene..

Yeah, but that's not so funny nor does it make sense since US phone numbers have 7 digits plus area code. Disney should just buy the number the way they do for funny-sounding websites they use in their movies. Perfect case in point: the domains mentioned in the trailer for <i>Wild Hogs</i>, the horrible-looking upcoming Touchstone comedy.

[slave2moonlight]

Of course, this film has become a classic/tradition for most folks, myself included, but I fought it a little at the beginning. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not a fan of the concept of Santa being replaceable. My favorite concepts of Santa will remain those seen in "Santa Claus: The Movie" and Rankin/Bass's animagic "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Regardless, this movie IS quite enjoyable, funny, and everything else. Though I prefer Santa Clause 2 a bit I think, this one is still VERY good. I have it on VHS. Need to upgrade. I have Santa Clause 2 on DVD. I will want to get part 3 also. It's the weakest of the bunch, but it has some great stuff in it too. Mainly, Martin Short as Jack Frost and the Back to the Future 2 type scene. But, where the heck did Bernard go?

[ichabod]

But, where the heck did Bernard go?

Well The elves were supposed to be kids, I think having a middle aged man wandering around hunched over trying to be the same size he was 12 years ago and trying to speak with a higher pitch to his voice would get irritating.

You raise an interesting point about the whole replacing Santa thing. Yes it's not an idea I particularly like, but ho hum it's necessary for the story! As you've mentioned the whole ritual lore of Santa a seen in "Santa Claus: The Movie" (which in my opinion is the greatest Santa/Christmas movie ever and definitely needs more appreciation!) is the way I suppose we'd like to dream it was.

[slave2moonlight]

Ha, yeah, I can understand about Bernard, but they didn't even explain his absence, which is too noticeable not to explain.

As for "Santa Claus: The Movie," I actually got to watch my DVD of it twice this year. Wonderful film, even if the first half is far more magical, ha. The second half is still quite enjoyable. The Salkinds did try to keep to the "Superman: The Movie" formula though, ha. I wonder if the newer DVD release is much of an improvement.

By the way, I also recommend, for those interested in seeing something really weird, seeking out the Mexican film, "Santa Claus." It's insane! Ha. I watch it every year (found it for a couple bucks at K-mart a few years back). Santa is depicted very strangely, as are his reindeer, and he is constantly having to thwart the wicked tricks being played on him by Pitch, a devil sent by Satan to stop him!

[DisneyFreak5282]

This year, I promised myself that I would get myself a widescreen copy of TSC on DVD, but It is INCREDIBLY hard to find the widescreen version. Yesterday I went to Target, and they had both SC DVDs on sale for $10 each. I would've got them, but they were the fullscreen versions.

Also, I can't believe they took out the 1-800-SPANK-ME joke. I have the VHS from the '90s, and I got a DVD recorder for Christmas, and I would've put it on DVD just for that gag, but those dagnabbit copyright protections! ARGH.

[slave2moonlight]

I almost got it this year too, but I figured a Special Edition might come out next year. Well, one thing about Fullscreen DVDs: Target love them! Check out Best Buy instead.

[UncleEd]

I'm with Slave. Being a child of the 80's my Santa Claus will always be a combination of the Santa Claus the movie Santa Claus and the Rankin/Bass Santa Claus Mickey Rooney often played. I still like The Santa Clause though and for me I secretly imagine it's the sequel to Ernest Saves Christmas. I know that that Santa Claus who fell off his roof was really Joe Corothers!!! Interestingly Disney mined the Santa Claus legacy concept at least 4 times. There's this, Ernest, the terrible Mr. St. Nick, and the long forgotten "In the Nick of Time". Before that time Santa Claus was always one guy, which is what I prefer to believe.

I read the guy who played Bernard wanted to be in the movie but he was turned down. They even shot it when Numbers was on hiatus.


By the way, the newer DVD release of Santa Claus: The Movie is exactly the same as the original DVD, only better packaging and you get a booklet with an interview. I got it for Christmas a few years ago.

I LOVE that mexican Santa Clsus film too! My one comic book creator friend gave all his friends that film a few years ago. It's so bad (in a good way) that it's funny. It's the only Santa Claus film that shows where the toys really come from, kids in third world countries. And I love that Santa Claus has Thor and Merlin working for him. I'd love to see the MST3K version of this.

Is the Spank Me joke on the VHS? I forget where it went or what it is.

[I Love Bambi]

The movie wasn't bad. I didn't like certain parts of it, such as how that mother and doctor tried to take away Scott's son for such a ridiculous reason, but the North Pole parts were pretty cute, as were the elves. 3 1/2 stars.

[UncleEd]

I don't think the Muppets at Disney World, Fluppy Dogs, or Sports Goofy would be the place on a Treasure because they have commercial sale value on their own and those animated titles were done overseas. The Treasures seem to be the ideal place for obscure stuff. I just don't feel that farmed out animation over seas belongs on these. Material from the 80's and 90's are okay but only things that were done at the stateside studio. For example, I'd love to see the Harry Anderson and Tony Danza Disneyland 35th Anniversary specials on one. The Danny Kaye one for I think Disney World's 10th or Epcot's opening, and I'm sure there are planet of anniversary and opening shows to fill out a whole set. But the Muppets could be sold on their own.

I'd like to see both of those Donald specials on the final volume but will both fit? Make sure Maltin is aware they exist people!!!

I think the Jiminy shorts would work great on the Pinocchio DVD but if he hosted Disneyland enough times I say put them on a Treasure with that and the Woodlore shows. Moby Duck could fit there but if there's space on Ludwig stick him on that series. Scrooge McDuck and Money could go there too and have a Disney Ducks theme or on the Donald set. And this is what I find strange. They say there will only be 1 final series yet no animation so this means no Donald 4. Do they want to set themselves up for more b****ing of what?

Why release Gargoyles as a Treasure? It's it's own show/set...

Destino should go with a Rarities 2 set. It's my understanding that Disneyland, Oswald, and Destino were to be 1 disc sets on the Legacy line. I mean does it really make sense to do a 2 disc set on a 10 minute short? What they should do is just put this and all the other completed shorts for the third Fantasia on the next round of Fantasia DVDs or create it as a Fantasia experience with Claire De Lune.

[PeterPanfan]

Uhhh wrong thread?


Anyway,I love this film! I definitly need to pick up the DVD. It's pretty cheap at Wal Mart,so maybe after Christmas.

I really liked Bernard and the son(whose name escapes me now).

[UncleEd]

Indeed wrong thread. I wondered where that post went. I guess I shouldn't respond to 2 threads at one time. Ha Ha

[AwallaceUNC]

Not much to add that hasn't already been said, but The Santa Clause is one of the best Christmas movies I've ever come across and probably ranks second to Home Alone for my favorite (though I've got to work It's a Wonderful Life in there somewhere too). There's so much to love -- like ichabod said, there's the comedy matched with the very real, very relevant emotional storyline of the divorce. The movie really kicks into high gear when Scott's conversion to Santa interferes with his ability to see Charlie. Without that, it would be a nice comedy/fantasy but it would never have hooked so many people in the way that it has. From that point on, every little moment seems so important and when the end comes, the resolution that allows for Scott to be Santa and still have Charlie in his life is so gratifying.

Almost as important is the way the movie makes the North Pole seem so real. Funny that even though we see very little of the actual North Pole, many people seem to cite this movie as their ideal image of the place. Too bad they took that entire element and scribbled over it with a bright crayon for the sequels.

I'm with everyone else in thinking that the phone number scene's removal on the DVD is exceedingly lame.

-Aaron

[AwallaceUNC]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not a fan of the concept of Santa being replaceable. My favorite concepts of Santa will remain those seen in "Santa Claus: The Movie" and Rankin/Bass's animagic "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."

Oh yeah, I wanted to comment on this as well. I'm a big fan of Santa Claus: The Movie and Santa Claus is Coming to Town as well. Along with The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, these were very influential in shaping my concept of Santa Claus. Yet the idea of a rotating Santa in The Santa Clause never bothered me. I wonder how many children think of TSC as canonical in terms of offering the way it really is. After all, that seems to be part of the movie's goal -- to answer all those age-old questions about Santa. On the other hand, though, the movie's tone is comedic enough (and Tim Allen is recognizable enough) to think that what you're seeing is just an isolated story as opposed to the way it really is.

-Aaron