On the Eleventh day of Christmas, the holiday movie
recommendation I present to you…
Is… Santa Claus: The
Movie (1985). This movie is part
origin story and part modern day examination of the commercialism of Christmas.
The first half of the movie is the origin and history of Santa and his elves. Dudley Moore plays one of Santa’s elves,
Patch. Patch decided that he wasn’t
appreciated enough by Santa so he left the North Pole to prove himself to
Santa. Patch teams up with the evil toy manufacturer, B.Z. (John Lithgow) to
make a special gift for the children of the world. When things don’t go as planned, Santa and
two young New Yorkers who still believe help to save Patch.
This film is very much a product of the 1980’s. This was a time when product placement was a
big thing and it is abundantly obvious that McDonald/s and Coca-Cola were sponsors
of the film. I find these elements funny
in hindsight but others are very bothered by it. I remember seeing this movie at the
theater. It was a theatrical flop and
panned by basically every critic, but I enjoyed it. The flyover NY by Santa was breathtaking on
the big screen and it still takes my breath away with each viewing.
The partnership with McDonald’s and Coca-Cola means that
there were a number tie in products released.
A few years ago I came across one of the picture books that were included
with Happy Meals from that time. It
included some great pictures from the film in the children’s storybook. In 1985, they also released a novelization of
the movie. I decided that my Dad would
really enjoy it so I bought him the paperback book that Christmas. I don’t know that he ever read it but it did
sit on the bookshelf behind their bed for years. As an adult, I was able to snatch it and had
a chance to read it myself.
The movie is dated and I am sure that my affinity for it is
derived from nostalgia but everyone has their guilty pleasures and this is
mine. I say keep an open mind and give
it a try.
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