Plot
Television sitcom star Tim Allen made his big screen debut with this light, family-friendly holiday comedy. Allen stars as Scott Calvin, the divorced dad of Charlie (Eric Lloyd). Scott is distressed to learn that his ex-wife Laura (Wendy Crewson) and Charlie's psychiatrist stepfather Neal (Judge Reinhold) have informed his son that there is no Santa Claus. While a sullen Charlie visits his dad on Christmas Eve, a noise on the roof brings them outside, where Scott startles the intruder, who tumbles from the roof. It turns out that there is a Santa after all, and Scott has just accidentally killed him. Because of a legal technicality known as "the Santa clause," Scott inherits the jolly old elf's job. As the next year passes, Scott rapidly gains weight, grows a white beard and meets the elf Bernard (David Krumholtz) -- who is the one who really runs the North Pole -- while Charlie regains his Christmas spirit. However, Neal becomes concerned about Scott's sudden change in appearance and insistence that he's Santa, and he forces him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Director John Pasquin previously directed Allen in the TV series Home Improvement and would team with him again for Jungle 2 Jungle (1997). ~ Karl Williams, RoviReview
While the premise about a man accidentally killing Kris Kringle suggests a dark comedy, at its core The Santa Clause is a mostly straightforward holiday comedy. Choosing a role that virtually plays itself, the film was a smart choice for Tim Allen, making his transition from the small screen to the big one. Playing Scott Calvin never demands Allen to overreach, leaving the audience more than satisfied with his performance. But the film was never meant as a showcase for anyone's acting chops, and it's the clever and heartwarming script that makes it an overall winner. Beyond the concept, there are a handful of genuinely funny moments as Calvin struggles with the fact that, like it or not, he's the new Santa. Likewise, the family story line is touching without being too sappy. While it might have been interesting to see The Santa Clause in the hands of a cast and crew that could give it an edge and some bite, the end product here is a more than adequate offering for the whole family. ~ Matthew Tobey, RoviCast
- Tim Allen - Scott Calvin
- Judge Reinhold - Dr.Neal Miller
- Wendy Crewson - Laura Calvin
- Eric Lloyd - Charlie Calvin
- David Krumholtz - Bernard
Credit
James McAteer - Art Director, Renee Rousselot - Casting, Christy Garland - Consultant/advisor, Caroline Baron - Co-producer, William W. Wilson III - Co-producer, Carol Ramsey - Costume Designer, John Pasquin - Director, Bill Elvin - Director, Larry Bock - Editor, Rick Messina - Executive Producer, James Miller - Executive Producer, Richard Baker - Executive Producer, Michael Convertino - Composer (Music Score), Inge Klaudi - Makeup, Alec Gillis - Makeup Special Effects, Tom Woodruff, Jr. - Makeup Special Effects, Douglas Ryan - Camera Operator, Carol Spier - Production Designer, Walt Lloyd - Cinematographer, Robert Newmyer - Producer, Brian Reilly - Producer, Jeffrey Silver - Producer, Elinor Rose Galbraith - Set Designer, John E. Sullivan - Special Effects, David Lee - Sound/Sound Designer, Leo Benvenuti - Screenwriter, Steve Rudnick - Screenwriter| The Sanitarium (1910 Film), The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2000 Film) | |
| The Santa Clause 2 (2002 Film), The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006 Film) |
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