SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE
US, 1985, 107 minutes, Colour.
Dudley Moore, John Glover, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith, Judy Cornwell.
Directed by Jeannot Szwarc.
Santa Claus - The Movie is an enormous confection of a film for the family. It was produced by the Salkind Brothers, responsible for the Superman movies. They have retained as director Jeannot Schwarz who made Supergirl.
Dudley Moore cavorts (perhaps too childishly) as a chief elf. John Lithgow snarls as a caricature villain. David Muddleston is a yo-ho-ho Santa Claus.
A lot of money was spent on the North Pole sets - rather toy-shop gaudy style. There are also special effects, especially for Santa Claus and his flying around the world. All in all, the file is enjoyable - if a bit too heavily sweet.
1. Family entertainment? Enjoyable? A large confection movie?
2. The reliance on spectacle, the mediaeval world, North Pole and the workshop, special effects for Santa riding through the centuries, the changes of the world throughout the centuries? The 20th century world? The world of New York, commerce? Colour, costumes and decor? musical score?
3. Audiences and their attitudes towards Santa Claus? Beliefs or not? The legends? The treatment of the theme - part legend, part commercial?
4. The sensitivities of the audience about Christmas: children and the delight in Santa Claus, presents? Christmas toys? The film on the wavelength of '80s children and their understanding and enjoyment of Christmas?
5. Claus and Anya and their place in their society, the woodcutter and his generosity, not having any children, the giving out of the presents, going through the snow, death? immortality as Santa Claus?
61 Claus and his wife being transferred to the North Pole? The long speech of the Ancient Elf and his explanation of Santa Claus's mission? Santa's workshop, the elves, the colour of their dress, their elfin style? The making of the toys? Life at the North Pole?
7. Santa and his trips, the gifts, the costumes and decor over the centuries, the change in the celebration of Christmas, various traditions, songs?
8. Patch and his place amongst the elves, the go-ahead elf, the decision about-the assembly line, the initial success, the mix-up? The toys falling apace? The triumph of the traditional elf? Patch Is sad, wandering away from the North Pole? His encounter with BZ and going to work for him, the smeets, the failure, his getting the car and flying to escape, his being rescued by Santa Claus? Dudley Moore using his cuddly style?
9. BZ and his vulgar commercialise, greed, the villain of the piece, his relationship with Cornelia, antagonism towards children, his being exposed as a villain, his being set adrift in space?
10. Ice as young boy, urchin, the encounter with Santa Claus, the friendship with Cornella, the generosity of the household? BZ? Santa's return, friendliness, the ride in his sleigh?
11. Santa and his pleasant character, generosity towards people, working with the elves, the making of the toys, the growing number of orders? The support of his wife? The reindeer and knowing each by name? Their flight, their skills in turning in the air, the extra effort and the rescue of Patch?
12. A cheerful if extravagant film? Pleasant story, delight? (And the cool reception by critics?)
