Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc. Starring David Huddleston, Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, Judy Cornwell, Jeffrey Kramer, Christian Fitzpatrick, Carrie Kei Heim, John Barrard, Melvyn Hayes, and Burgess Meredith.
The story of the big man himself, or at least the Hollywood version of the story. A toymaker and his with are caught in a blizzard on Christmas Eve and awake to find themselves greeted by elves. The couple are taken to the Elf workshop where the Grand Old Elf tells Nicholas he is the chosen one. Chosen to bring gifts to all the children of the world.
As the years roll by the work load gets heavier and heavier, so Santa decides he needs an assistant. The job initially goes to an elf named patch, but after his effort to mechanize production fails horribly, he leaves the North Pole, with the hope to prove to Santa he has what it takes.
Patch arrives in New York. Mistakenly thinking BZ’s toys are selling like hot cakes (in fact being removed rabidly from shelves because they are unsafe) he pays the manufacturer a visit, telling BZ he has an idea for the best toy ever.
Producers originally wanted John Carpenter to direct the movie, but as with his other film projects he wanted a say in the writing, musical score and final cut, as well as Brian Dennehy to play Santa (unfortunately we can only imagine what that film would have been like).
Harrison Ford had also been offered the role of BZ, but obviously turned it down, as did Dustin Hoffman, Burt Reynolds, and…em…Johnny Carson?!
Are you a fan of Santa Claus: The Movie? and Why isn’t Sheena Easton’s theme song It’s Christmas (All Over the World) on every Christmas compilation? Let us know in the comments below