Santa Claus the Movie (Widescreen Edition)

Starring:Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith, Judy Cornwell, Jeffrey Kramer, Christian Fitzpatrick, Carrie Kei Heim, John Barrard, Anthony O'Donnell, Melvyn Hayes, Don Estelle, Tim Stern, Peter O'Farrell, Christopher Ryan, Dickie Arnold, AimÃ©e Delamain, Dorothea Phillips, John Hallam, Judith Morse
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Studio: Anchor Bay
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This DVD contains three holiday titles from Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass.

The Year Without a Santa Claus
Even Santa can suffer a case of the holiday blues. In this 1974 stop-motion holiday family favorite, a sparkly eyed Mrs. Claus (voiced by Shirley Booth) sings and tells about the year her hubby felt too weary and too unappreciated to prepare for his annual Christmas rounds. Mickey Rooney stars as the voice of Santa, a rosy-nosed puppet who travels incognito to Southtown in search of his tiniest reindeer, Vixen, and two well-meaning elves. Seems Mrs. Santa sent them to find proof of Christmas spirit--but all they've discovered is ambivalence about Santa's year off. Luckily, when Santa arrives and befriends a buck-toothed lad named Ignatius Thistlewhite, spirits begin to lift rapidly. Adult fans of this cousin to the 1970 television special Santa Claus Is Coming to Town will remember it as the Heat and Snow Miser movie. Their vaudevillian theme songs, complete with trombone and piano riffs, are hard to forget, but other treasured musical moments include "I Believe in Santa Claus," "I'll Have a Blue Christmas Without You," and "Here Comes Santa Claus." --Liane Thomas

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
The wondrous story of Christ's birth is told by an unlikely source: Nestor, a gentle donkey with incredibly long ears and a first-hand knowledge of life in a stable. This simple tale, which takes place in the days of the Roman Empire, is about a humble couple about to take a long journey to Bethlehem and a small, insignificant donkey that is destined to help them along. By all outward appearances, Nestor does not deserve such a privilege. Stable animals tease him incessantly for his long appendages until, finally, he is cast out of the barn into the winter cold. Snow and ice bring about even greater calamity for Nestor until he receives a dose of divine goodness. Nestor meets Tilly, a heavenly cherub (voiced by Brenda Vaccaro) who imparts guidance to the despairing burro and tells him that soon he will be chosen to participate in a miracle involving a star, a baby, a lowly stable, and some travelers named Mary and Joseph. Short and sweet, this stop-motion Christmas gem from Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass is narrated by Roger Miller. Get out the hanky for an understated holiday classic that will appeal to families of all ages. --Lynn Gibson

Rudolph's Shiny New Year
Rudolph is legendary for saving Christmas, but did you know he saved the New Year as well? While Santa Claus is recuperating from his December sleigh ride, he receives a letter from an old friend, Father Time. Seems that Baby New Year is missing, and if the little tyke isn't found, Old Year will continue forever--a catastrophe for Father Time, whose job it is to keep things moving forward. A search party is essential, yet with such thick fog, there's only one reindeer fit for the job. "Rudolph with your nose so bright, you've six days left to set things right," says Santa. Trouble hits immediately when Rudolph discovers that Aeon the Terrible, a big-beaked monster bird, is also searching for the missing baby. Rudolph gets help from a giant whale and a good-natured caveman, who dish up plenty of song and dance in between narrow escapes in their race against the end of the calendar year. Sound far-fetched? Perhaps, but it contains as much magic as its predecessors, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, all produced and directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., and written by the esteemed Romeo Muller. The same stop-motion animation we've grown to love is here as well, and narrator Red Skelton has as trusted a voice as Burl Ives and Fred Astaire. While the New Year holiday will never be as celebrated as Christmas, this title is a welcome addition to any Rankin and Bass collection of holiday films. --Lynn Gibson

Description

At the North Pole, the Christmas rush is on. Everyone from elves to reindeer are merrily preparing for Santa Claus' yearly sleigh ride. Everyone…except Santa! Feeling forgotten by the children of the world, old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Eager to help, Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves set out to see where all the season's cheer has disappeared to. Aided by a magical snowfall, they reawaken the spirit of Christmas in children's hearts - and put Santa back in action. Shirley Booth and Mickey Rooney (as Mrs. And Mr. Claus) are the starring voices in this wonderful Yuletide favorite. Year: 1974

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2007-05-20

Not only did I get my favorite Christmas show, I got two other Christmas shows as well. The dvd was is great playing order and the year without a Santa Claus was much better than the vhs version. Thank you.

Some were great..........2007-05-14

Of the three movies, one were less than satifactory and was just plain sad! Rudolph's Shiny New Year was excellent, but the Year without a Santa Claus was to cliche and Nestor, the pathetic Christmas Donkey was just plain depressing. If you get it, get it for Rudulph.

A missing baby new-year... and no Santa?.......2007-03-24

This is a must for anyone having young children. Children of all ages should enjoy this cartoon for the Christmas season. Children always like to watch any cartoon about Santa and Rudolph. Not only are you getting one, but three Christmas cartoon classics. I may be an adult, but I still like watching these classics myself.

Great Childhood Memories.......2007-01-24

This DVD is great. It brings back all the memories of the holidays as a young child. It is hard to catch these shows on TV as they only air once during the holiday season. My daughters love them and I love seeing their reaction to the shows. Good buy.

fantastic musical!!.......2007-01-21

My 4 year old & my husband & I looooove this video!! The voice Artists are supremely talented: Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Mr. Irving, etc.!! The music is wonderful & we highly recommend this as a holiday staple!
The Miser Brother songs are terrific!!

The Original Television Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / Frosty the Snowman / Frosty Returns / The Little Drummer Boy)

Average customer rating:

The nastalgia is nice...
All Corny, just like we remember~ I LOVE it~
Great Product and Price
A great compilation of Rankin-Bass products
LOVED IT

The Original Television Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / Frosty the Snowman / Frosty Returns / The Little Drummer Boy)
Starring: Burl Ives , Billie Mae Richards , Paul Soles , Larry D. Mann , and Stan Francis
Director: Kizo Nagashima , Larry Roemer , and Arthur Rankin Jr.
Manufacturer: Classic Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

The Year Without a Santa Claus / Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey / Rudolph's Shiny New Year
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (50th Birthday Deluxe Remastered Edition)
Peanuts Holiday Collection (A Charlie Brown Christmas/A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving/It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown)
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Frosty's Winter Wonderland/Twas the Night Before Christmas

ASIN: B0002I82Z0
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Description

The original television holiday classics now are available with deluxe packaging and a 12-song music CD with music from the all-time favorite television specials known the world over!

"Frosty the Snowman:" When Frosty the Snowman comes to life, he must weather a storm of adventures and the dastardly plans of an evil magician before he can find safety and happiness at the North Pole.

"Frosty Returns:" This is the adventure of a little girl named Holly and her very special friend, Frosty the Snowman. Holly has to convince the people of Beansboro to save the magical winter dust--and Frosty--when a power-hungry tycoon invents a product that will eliminate snow. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:" Christmas has been cancelled! Or, it will be if Santa Claus can't find a way to guide his sleigh through a fierce blizzard. Rudolph to the rescue!

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town:" A cheery, delightful story tells how Kris Kringle got his start as the world's most famous gift giver by struggling to bring toys and happiness to the children of Sombertown.

"The Little Drummer Boy:" In this touching Christmas classic, an evil man kidnaps an orphaned drummer boy. After he escapes, he searches for his camel and finds him at the birthplace of the baby Jesus. Having no gift for him, he gives the only gift he has--a song on his drum.

All five titles are on three discs and contain Spanish-language tracks.

Customer Reviews:

The nastalgia is nice..........2007-05-16

It's nice at Christmas time to be able to pull this out and remember what Christmas was like as a kid. I've got several of the other stop-action movies as well, a worthwhile purchase!

All Corny, just like we remember~ I LOVE it~.......2007-01-26

Its nice to own the classics in ONE package, no more searching each year for the copies made from television. Great picture and sound quality.

Great Product and Price.......2007-01-16

Excellent product, price and shipping. This is a must for Christmas season with children.

A great compilation of Rankin-Bass products.......2007-01-12

This has been my daughter's favorite DVD(s) for more than a year. It has just about every stop-motion movie/show they made, plus two Frosy movies. It is only missing The Year without a Santa.

Nice packaging and a great value.

LOVED IT.......2007-01-11

It's great, all the cartoons i used to watch every christmas of my childhood. Picture quality is great too!!

Santa Claus - The Movie (20th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

OLD SCHOOL XMAS MOVIE
classic Christmas movie
Still enjoyable!
For the young at heart-Santa Claus:The Movie
Great All-time Classic Santa Clause Movie!!

Santa Claus - The Movie (20th Anniversary Edition)
Starring: Dudley Moore , John Lithgow , David Huddleston , Burgess Meredith , and Judy Cornwell
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A2XC1C
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Amazon.com

The producers of the Superman movies took a shot at revitalizing the myth of Santa Claus with this 1985 feature. Unfortunately, the results were much less compelling than the flagship Superman feature, despite a script by one of the latter's key writers (David Newman) and a story structure that is essentially a carbon copy of the Man of Steel's movie. The first half of Santa Claus: The Movie is a ponderous origins tale, in which we learn that Santa was actually a woodcutter saved from certain death by elves and taken to the North Pole to begin life as the chimney-dropping hero of children everywhere. The second half involves a world-class villain (John Lithgow) who recruits an outcast elf (Dudley Moore) in a scheme to sabotage old St. Nick. While it aims to become a Christmas classic in the hearts and minds of generations to come, the film never really engages an audience, partially because Santa himself is merely a supporting player in the drama. Jeannot Szwarc (Supergirl, Jaws II) directs with a disabling lack of vision, and the special effects are terrible for such an expensive production. Sorry, but it's coals in the stocking for this flick. --Tom Keogh

Description

This is the delightful story of a master toymaker who discovers a magical kingdom of elves at the North Pole. There he is entrusted with wondrous, special powers - to become the world's most beloved patron of Christmas…Santa Claus! And there he meets Patch (Dudley Moore), and eager-to-please elf who becomes mixed up with a dastardly toy tycoon's (John Lithgow) plans to take over Christmas. And so begins Santa's greatest adventure of all - to rescue his faithful elf and to save Christmas for all the children of the world!

Customer Reviews:

OLD SCHOOL XMAS MOVIE.......2007-04-16

I bought this movie because I remembered I watch it when I was a kid and thought it was a really neat movie. Couldn't find it anywhere except on amazon.

classic Christmas movie.......2007-02-08

This is the Christmas movie I saw when I was a child and spent years trying to find again. It has great actors and is very entertaining for all ages.

Still enjoyable!.......2007-02-01

What a cute 80's movie! As an adult I still enjoy it........it had been a long time since my last viewing. I look forward to showing this movie to my children. Definitely a magical way to enjoy Christmas time.

For the young at heart-Santa Claus:The Movie.......2007-01-17

In a day and age where claymation is archaic and computer generation is typical, Santa Claus the movie is a refreshing bit of story telling for young and old alike. For the young, it answers some of the nagging questions of where did Santa come from and how does he get it done. For the adults, there's good guys and bad guys and innocence and forgiveness...plenty to share at the dinner table to illustrate themes of the season. Santa Claus the Movie is delightful and very entertaining for all in the family, and I highly recommend it with hot chocolate and popcorn!

Great All-time Classic Santa Clause Movie!!.......2007-01-13

I personally love this version of how Santa Clause became Santa Clause and I love their version of how the North pole looks...it takes me back to all the stories I heard as a child! Great for kids of all sizes!!

Average customer rating:

Very cute and funny Christmas movie
single santa seeks mrs. claus
charming wonderful what more can iIsay
Not a good overall movie
single santa

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus
Starring: Crystal Bernard , Thomas Calabro , Steve Guttenberg , Diane Robin , and Armin Shimerman
Director: Harvey Frost
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AJJMXW
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Description

DVD: 05-51362 Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus Steve Guttenberg (Three Men and a Baby), Crystal Bernard (Wings), and Thomas Calabro (Melrose Place) star in a Christmas charmer about Santa's son and his search for a wife. Nick (Guttenberg) is due to replace his retiring father, and needs a Mrs. Claus, so Santa's adviser sends him down to Southern California. There he meets Beth Sawtelle (Bernard), a workaholic widow whose advertising job with Andrew West (Calabro) leaves precious little time for her son, Jake (Dominic Scott Kay). Concealing his identity, Nick stars in a series of Christmas commercials for the agency as he tries to make sure Jake and Beth both believe in Santa Claus—no easy task in her case! Running Time: Approx. 85 Minutes/Color/NTSC/Stereo

Customer Reviews:

Very cute and funny Christmas movie.......2007-03-09

I enjoyed this movie and will include it in my yearly Christmas movie watching at Christmas time.

single santa seeks mrs. claus.......2007-02-21

This is a very good way to order movies. It was very easy and fast.

charming wonderful what more can iIsay.......2007-02-19

A wonderful holiday fantasy from the Hallmark channel. With Crystal Bernard and Steve Guttenburg. A single workaholic mom bring up a great kid, Santas son read to take over the family business but must find a wife ( Mrs Claus) first. One of the most charming holiday movies made in recent years. It is a must to own. I love this movie!!!!!

Not a good overall movie.......2007-02-11

I watched this movie with the TV muted and the closed captioning off. So my review is only based on the visual aspect of the movie.

The main thing that "stuck out" on the movie was Guteberg's growth on his lip. I found it very distracting.

I recommend watching the movie with sound on. This way you will not notice the Gute's lip sore.

Note: In the sequal it appears that the lip sore was surgically removed. Check it out.

single santa.......2007-01-29

Great all around family movie, fun to watch, makes you enjoy the holiday sprit.

Average customer rating:

great
Mrs, Santa Claus
mrs santa clause
An Old Fashioned Christmas Movie
Angela Lansbury academy performance

Mrs. Santa Claus
Starring: Angela Lansbury , Michael Jeter , Terrence Mann , Lynsey Bartilson , and Bryan Murray
Director: Terry Hughes
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0000AQRYT
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Amazon.com

Much closer to Hello, Dolly! than your usual Christmas special, Mrs. Santa Claus joins two distinct genres: holiday family fare and the Broadway musical. This song-studded extravaganza was especially designed for TV by Broadway legend Jerry Herman, whose songs are just as incorrigibly catchy on the small screen as they are on the stage. Herman uses one of his favorite leading ladies from the theater, Angela Lansbury, in a tale of Santa's "invisible wife," who takes the reindeer off for an impulsive week-long adventure in New York City. Unexpectedly becoming a suffragette and labor organizer (it's set in the early 20th century), Mrs. Claus twinkles merrily at all who cross her path. This is a problem, dramatically speaking, because what's compelling about someone who twinkles all the time? The costumes are by Bob Mackie (duh), the choreography by Chicago director Rob Marshall. And just try to get the melodies out of your head. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

great.......2007-07-05

It must be me but this product came in much faster than said and in great shape

Mrs, Santa Claus.......2007-03-02

This is a wonderful movie, well on it's way to being a classic.

mrs santa clause.......2007-01-10

very enjoyable movie for all ages angela lansbury at her best yet again.

a must see film

An Old Fashioned Christmas Movie.......2007-01-09

With absolutely no entertaining Christmas specials, shows , or movies in recent years, this movie is a wholesome, family film . Angela Lansbury is as delightful as ever, and the movie is visually exciting in an old fashioned way. We need more of this type of entertainment instead of the junk that Hollywood has produced lately.

Angela Lansbury academy performance.......2006-11-10

Angela Lansbury is brilliant! She is truely a grand dam of our time! She only improves with age. Mrs. Santa Claus is truely a classic waiting to be discovered! The story line is believable, Mrs. Lansbury makes the movie. She gives (as usual) a flawless performance. I hope she does more projects.
JC Howard

Average customer rating:

Wacky, smart and funny Christmas fun
Santa Claus failed to conquer - no DVD was in the case!
The title is a giveaway
Brilliantly Dumb Christmas Movie
If only they let Santa use a machine gun.....

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Starring: John Call , Leonard Hicks , Vincent Beck , Bill McCutcheon , and Victor Stiles
Director: Nicholas Webster
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00008G7EG
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Description

The children of Mars are depressed and no one seems to know why. When Martian leaders go to see their most ancient wise man, he tells them that the children of Mars need the joy of Christmas... and Santa Claus!

Customer Reviews:

Wacky, smart and funny Christmas fun.......2007-05-11

I know it's become hip to pan this film has one of the worst ever, but that is not the case. This humorous, good-natured film is a bizarre mix of Holiday movie with the sci-fi genre.... and it works. Sure the budget is low, the effects chintzy, but it captures and innocence and magic kids today need badly. Much like the Martian kids do in the movie.

Love this film, hope someday someone gives it a good remastering.

Santa Claus failed to conquer - no DVD was in the case!.......2007-02-27

We got the DVD wrapped as new, yet there was no DVD in the case. Luckily, Amazon did a great job sending us a replacement immediately, but it was upsetting that the PASSPORT VIDEO has such poor quality control....

The title is a giveaway.......2007-01-20

If you go by the title alone, you've got to say to yourself "This has got to be high camp". I can't imagine that anyone associated with this project thought for one minute that they were creating a classic. The sets, the costumes, the acting... all really cheesy. I did have fun watching the whole mess, though. My 10 year son and I watched it last year and laughed out loud all the way through. I guess I would only recommend this film to people who understand camp and would certainly not suggest that people who want a more traditional approach to Santa waste their time. For that, you might watch "Polar Express".

Brilliantly Dumb Christmas Movie.......2006-12-24

Yes Virginia there is such thing as brilliantly dumb. This movie has all the marks of B Movie. Awful acting, flimsy plot, stupid dialogue, crappy effects and cardboard costumes. Heh Heh just the way I like it. Look this movie isn't some cruddy senitmental box office busting Christmas movie it turns the formulaic Christmas movie story on its head. Instead Martians with green face paint and fake metal helmets kidnap two earth kids and Santa Clause and take them to Mars so that they can make space toys for Martian kids. That alone should make you buy the thing. Junk yes, Art yes!

If only they let Santa use a machine gun............2006-06-23

Martians travel to Earth to find the man called Santa Claus played by John Call (The Anderson Tapes, Cinderella) because their Martian children are watching the Earth TV programs. While landing in a city 2 Earth children are found and they eventually hide on the ship. They are found and the children lead the Martian's to the North Pole as they Martians find Santa Claus and take him and the kids away. Vincent Beck (Vigilante, The Bamboo Saucer) plays Voldar, a rouge Martian who doesnt like Santa Claus and wants to get rid of him and the children for good. Soon the awesome powers of Santa fight back at the Martians and save Christmas. Harmless cheesy Christmas movie is really bad but I didnt mind it at all. The music was groovy. Wasnt the greatest thing ever. Also starring Pia Zadora (Hairspray, Pajama Tops) and Leonard Hicks (Guns of the Trees)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, Funny, & Touching
A classic? Uh, I think not.
WONDERFUL
Whoopi Goldberg's Finest Moments
Whoopi Gives You A Reason To See Christmas Is In All

Call Me Claus
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg , Nigel Hawthorne , Brian Stokes Mitchell , Victor Garber , and Taylor Negron
Director: Peter Werner (III)
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B00005R23W
Release Date: 2001-12-11

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Cantankerous home shopping network producer Lucy (Whoopi Goldberg) inadvertently hires the real Santa Claus (Nigel Hawthorne) for her channel's "Kristmas Korner" sales campaign in this made-for-TV movie. But Santa's presence there is anything but accidental, as his 200-year contract is about to expire and he must convince Lucy to take over the reigns both figuratively and literally. What's at stake? Not just Christmas, but the fate of the planet in this holiday offering, executive-produced by Goldberg and Garth Brooks.

Goldberg does her dreadlocked Santa thing, and Brooks sings such classics as "Sleigh Ride," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and Louis Armstrong's signature "Zat You, Santa Claus?" While its message of diversity is generally handled in a low-key fashion, the 90-minute film directly deals with the issue of a black (and female) Kris Kringle with an excerpt from B.J. Wrights's poem "Can Santa Be Black?" This congenial film is appropriate for ages 7 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, Funny, & Touching.......2007-05-21

I saw this movie when it was first broadcast on TV a couple of years ago, and was quite surprised to NOT see it on the Christmas movie line up the next year. There were some very interesting concepts, such as how trolls are born (gnomes and leprachauns getting drunk on a beach--lol), and an over-worked elf with a glandular problem, which makes it unique among its counterparts. I loved the actor who played Santa Claus, and the idea of a scrooge-like character being the next Santa, while semi-predictable, Goldberg somehow manages to keep the concept fresh and funny.

Not as good as the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street, but lots of fun to watch.

A classic? Uh, I think not........2005-12-27

I'm actually a huge fan of Nigel Hawthorne but he is horribly miscast in this Christmas turkey. Not a convincing Santa Claus at all and the idea of him turning to Whoopi Goldberg to become the next Santa was a pathetic idea at best. I mean, Kris Kringle has nothing better to do in the run-up to Christmas than associate himself with a money-grubbing home-shopping network??? Give me "Miracle on 34th St", "A Christmas Story", or "The Polar Express" anyday over this. In fact, I didn't even see "Call Me Claus" broadcast on ANY station this year. May Nigel Hawthorne be forever remembered as Sir Humphrey Appleby or King George rather than this drivel.

WONDERFUL.......2005-10-25

This is a good movie to watch around Christmas. A good family movie. Whoopi Goldberg does it again.

Whoopi Goldberg's Finest Moments.......2004-08-13

Whoopi Goldberg is an acquired taste, but to my mind she has never been funnier or had more affect than in this soon to be holiday classic. I don't see why, with a little luck, CALL ME CLAUS won't soon be regarded as the beloved Xmas perennial that is the happy fate of MIRACLE on 34TH STREET or SCROOGED. Or even A CHRISTMAS STORY or CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT or COME TO THE STABLE. Nigel Hawthorne, from the PBS MAPP AND LUCIA shows, and nominated for the Oscar for his part in THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III, outdoes every other part he ever had the privilege of playing and gives us the authentic Santa Claus for once and for all. You will laugh with recognition at Hawthorne' elfish grin and big red heart. Too bad he died so soon after making CALL ME CLAUS because as soon as this telefilm comes to an end, you're all primed for a sequel!

While Hawthorne is warm and tender, Goldberg is (at first) strident and severe, but soon liike Scrooge she melts right into the part of Lucy Cullins. Many of my friends credit the broadcast of this late 2001 film with helping them cure their depression and trauma over the events of 9-11-01, when it looked like for many the spirit of Christmas had been permanently extinguished, and then along came Whoopi and Sir Nigel, like two nutty Wise Men, to light the lamp of mirth and joy once again. Hosanna to entertainment for it goes a long way towards curing the ills of those sorry old world.

Whoopi Gives You A Reason To See Christmas Is In All.......2003-12-11

CALL ME CLAUS was directed by Peter Werner (The 70's, That Substitute Wife) and written by Paul Mooney (Good Times, The Richard Prior Show) and Sara Berstein (Trial and Error, One Day In Dallas) and is the story of an over zelous TV Producer of a "Home-Shopping Club-Type network that needs to relearn the value of Christmas again.

This TV Executive is played hysterically by Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, The Color Purple, Rat Race) and needs to do the one job you would think everyone on the planet would never turn down - BEING - yes BEING - Santa Clause. She is funny and has a flavor all her own.

Santa's 200 year term is almost up and its time to find his replacement. Due to a magical Christmas hat - he finds her in Whoopi. The two then go on a hysterical journey of adventure and heart. Santa is masterfully portrayed by Nigel Hawthrorne (Tarzan, Amistad) and the chemistry they have together is sensitive and real.

The movie has some clever visuals with the "magic" Santa Hat as well as some pretty convincing elves. Color and family and the importnace of being with your family durring the Holidays.

Some other outstanding performances are those of Santa's pain-in-the-neck sidekick Ralph played by Taylor Negron (Stuart Little, Spy Hard) and Mr. Victor Garbor (Cinderella-TV, Titanic, Annie-TV) as Whoopi's assistant.

Amazon.com

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
This 53-minute, 1970 animated film may be the most delightful of those sundry, stop-motion animated Christmas perennials that show up on television during the holidays. The clay animation production, boasting a wonderful musical score and art direction that occasionally underscores the flower-power era in which it was born, tells the story of Santa's origins, in which Kris Kringle decides to get toys into the hands of poor children in gloomy Sombertown. Charmingly narrated by Fred Astaire and featuring voices by Mickey Rooney and Keenan Wynn, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town presents a nice bridge between two generations of entertainment, the classic and the hip. --Tom Keogh

The Little Drummer Boy
The model animation techniques in this 1968 Rankin and Bass TV chestnut are primitive by today's standards, and picky kids may reject them out of hand. The story, however, which elaborates on the popular Christmas song about a shepherd boy who plays his drum for the baby Jesus and makes the animals dance, is a little more tough-minded than you might expect. The kid begins the story as what we'd now call a neglected child, a surly urchin who says he hates all people. He's pulled back from the brink, first by learning to make music, and then by his encounter with the Christ child. The underlying message alone--that everybody has something worth contributing--qualifies the show for holiday-perennial status. The big-name voice performers, Jose Ferrer and Greer Garson (who narrates), may be a little too ponderous for the occasion, but the familiar cartoony tones of Paul Frees (aka Boris Badenov) and June Forey (aka Rocket J. Squirrel) help liven up the proceedings. It's only 23 minutes long, so it's worth a shot for younger children. --David Chute

Customer Reviews:

Two classics on one DVD.......2007-01-11

The DVD includes two classics for almost the same price as one. Also, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town includes the full length version that is not seen on television any more because of commercials. On TV there are two scenes deleted that you will get on this DVD.

Classic Christmas TV.......2006-11-25

Rankin-Bass presentations (from full-length films like The Hobbit and The Last Unicorn to their classic Christmas specials) are legendary. They might seem a bit out-of-date compared to today's high-tech standards of animation, but Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (presented in claymation style) still retains the innocent exhuberance it had since it was first televised in the late 60s. The Little Drummer Boy is a lesser known holiday claymation by Rankin-Bass, but tells an interesting take on the Christmas story. These two movies, along with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Frosty, Jack Frost, etc., are classics of Christmastime--enjoyable for people of all ages!

I Love These Rankin and Bass Christmas Specials!.......2005-10-16

I watched these Rankin and Bass Christmas productions on TV when I was a child and I loved them, I especially like The Little Drummer Boy which is narrated by Greer Garson and is a beautiful heart-stirring story about the true meaning of Christmas! Santa Claus is Coming to Town is good too about how this boy grew up to became Santa Claus and I highly recommend this DVD set!

A Rankin & Bass Classic!.......2004-11-10

I was a bit stunned to see that this first appeard on TV in 1970. I could have sworn I watched it in the 1960's alongside Rudolph and Charlie Brown.

In anycase this is one of those great Rankin & Bass stop motion animated films detailing the life of Santa Claus from the time he was just a baby. The story is told by a friendly postman voiced by Fred Astaire.

Santa is taken in by the Kringles a family of toymakers and once he grows into a young man he begins delivering the toys to the children of Sombertown.

This earns him the status of public enemy #1 from the towns Burgomeister who has outlawed all toys and Kris must think of more secret methods to get the toys to the children.

Along the way we see how Kris gets the name Santa clause, his red suit, flying reindeer, and how the night for delivering toys was chosen.

Mickey rooney voices Kris/Santa and does so with gusto. But Keenan Wynn is the standout as his gruff, but sweet portrayal of the Winter Warlock.

The film also features some great songs such as the title sung by Astaire and "Put one foot in front of the Other".

Over 30 years later I now watch this one with my kids and still enjoy it. But get it on DVD since so much is cut out today to make room for commercials.

wonderful!.......2004-06-22

I highly reccomend this for ANYONE and if you liked this you will probably like The Year Without a Santa Clause and the 1964 original Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer.

Average customer rating:

Santa Claus is coming to town
The best Christmas movie ever!!!!!
I have this version, just toss Mariah
Hey Sony/Classic Media! Please re-release these holiday specials properly!
A good story, but a better one was available ...

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
Starring: Fred Astaire , Mickey Rooney , Keenan Wynn , Paul Frees , and Joan Gardner (II)
Director: Arthur Rankin Jr. , and Jules Bass
Manufacturer: Classic Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Year Without a Santa Claus / Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey / Rudolph's Shiny New Year
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (50th Birthday Deluxe Remastered Edition)

ASIN: B000A345EE
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Customer Reviews:

Santa Claus is coming to town.......2007-02-08

The kids don't know who the characters are, but what the heck...they love it. Maybe, just maybe some kid will want to see some other work of these guys.

The best Christmas movie ever!!!!! .......2007-01-16

This movie gives you the history of santa in a fun and enjoyable way, by having random outbursts of song and dance. Dont be fooled by the cover anyone of any age can enjoy this clay animation film. Not only does this movie teach us about christmas but it also teaches us how to care for others by sharing. If your a fan of christmas movies than this is a must have classic!

I have this version, just toss Mariah.......2006-12-27

I understand and relate to the people who complain about the Mariah Carey "extra" with this video. Yes, it stinks, and they should release these old shows as they were intended to be seen WITHOUT the modern "extras". But, in my version it is a separate disk, and I just tossed the thing in the trash. As far as I can tell, otherwise, this is the original version I saw as a child. Of course, by the late 70s, I'm sure my version was chopped up for commercial television. Anyway, I think the video is fine, and you don't HAVE to watch the disk with Mariah Carey's song. Use it as a coaster, or toss it in the trash, or let your 2-year-old write on it with permanent marker. Its a good show for this time of year, and I'm glad I bought it.

Hey Sony/Classic Media! Please re-release these holiday specials properly!.......2006-02-18

I AM NOT RATING SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN WITH 1 STAR BECAUSE I THINK THIS SPECIAL ALONG WITH RUDOLPH & FROSTY ARE EXCELLENT HOLIDAY SPECIALS WITHOUT A DOUBT!!! I WOULD HAVE RATED THIS WITH 5 STARS IF IT WASN'T FOR THE $UCKY MUSIC VIDEOS THAT SONY/CLASSIC MEDIA KEEPS RELEASING ON THIS AS WELL AS THE RUDOLPH DVD'S. WHOEVER FROM SONY/CLASSIC MEDIA KEEPS COMING WITH THESE STUPID EXTRAS SHOULD BE FIRED! BRING BACK THE DVD RELEASES THAT WERE OFFERED BEFORE THE YEAR 2004 BECAUSE THIS MARIAH CAREY & DESTINY'S CHILD IS PURE CRAP AND I THINK ALOT OF THE DIE-HARD RANKIN-BASS FANS ARE FED UP WITH THESE STUPID-ASS SO-CALLED MUSIC VIDEOS!!! DO US A FAVOR SONY/CLASSIC MEDIA AND RELEASE THESE WITHOUT THE DUMB VIDEOS!

A good story, but a better one was available ..........2005-12-28

... the Story of the real Saint Nicholas. If they had started with him as the real Nicholas was, priest and then Bishop of Myra, and told of some of his real miracles, and then added the fantasy elements of his transformation into the Santa Claus of today, it would have been an incredible classic. A perfect bridge between the Rudolph/Snow Miser type specials, and the Nestor/Little Drummer Boy ones. As it is, its a fun show with some good songs and memorable villains. But it could have been so much more.

Average customer rating:

Santa Claus is coming to town
The best Christmas movie ever!!!!!
I have this version, just toss Mariah
Hey Sony/Classic Media! Please re-release these holiday specials properly!
A good story, but a better one was available ...

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Year Without a Santa Claus / Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey / Rudolph's Shiny New Year
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (50th Birthday Deluxe Remastered Edition)

ASIN: B0002I82YG
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Description

The story of how Kris Kringle got his start as the world's most famous gift giver by struggling to bring toys and happiness to the children of Sombertown.

Customer Reviews:

Santa Claus is coming to town.......2007-02-08

The kids don't know who the characters are, but what the heck...they love it. Maybe, just maybe some kid will want to see some other work of these guys.

The best Christmas movie ever!!!!! .......2007-01-16

I have this version, just toss Mariah.......2006-12-27

Hey Sony/Classic Media! Please re-release these holiday specials properly!.......2006-02-18

A good story, but a better one was available ..........2005-12-28

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