Even though Christmas passed a couple of weeks ago, its sensation still lingers on for some of us. If you’re like us and want to relive the wonderful moment of Christmas, you should definitely watch the movie Santa Claus: The Movie if you haven’t already.
For many of us Santa Claus: The Movie was the one movie that made us feel the most festive when we were kids. Santa Claus: The Movie, which debuted in 1985 and starred Dudley Moore as head elf Patch and David Huddleston as Santa, has gained a cult following.
Some even might argue that Santa Claus: The Movie is the greatest Christmas film ever made, but we don't want to go into that discussion right now. All we can say is that the film is a beloved holiday classic.
And while it may not be the Christmas movie that many remember the most these days, we nevertheless hold it dear to our hearts. Here are ten things about Santa Claus: The Movie you probably didn't know.
Unfortunately, this did not happen, which is bad for the producers. Santa Claus: The Movie was a complete failure, earning only $23.7 million at the box office, and producer Ilya Salkind's cinematic career was basically over. The fact that the film was released just one week after the hugely successful Rocky IV definitely didn't help.
When Fred Astaire didn't react to their offer, the filmmakers turned to Burgess Meredith, who was recommended by Dudley Moore, a friend of Astaire's. There was a certain irony in this because Rocky IV, the first Rocky film in which Burgess Meredith did not appear, outperformed Santa Claus: The Movie at the box office.
At the time of writing, Santa Claus: The Movie had a 20% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is somewhat less than Santa Claus Conquers the Martians from 1965, one of the most despised Christmas movies, which is rated 25% fresh.
Moore's run as a top box office attraction appeared to be coming to an end with the release of Santa Claus: The Movie. Moore essentially withdrew from the spotlight when the majority of his subsequent projects, including Like Father Like Son and Arthur 2: On the Rocks, underperformed. He sadly began to deteriorate his health in the late 1990s and died of pneumonia at the young age of 66 in 2002.
The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, and problems centered around the rock band Kiss were all adapted into Marvel Super Specials in the past. Only two additional issues of the series—adaptations of the films Labyrinth and Howard the Duck—were released after Santa Claus: The Movie.
Instead, the ex-Beatle ended up releasing Once Upon a Long Ago as a single in 1987 and placing it on his compilation album All the Best! (The former Beatle had previously written and released a famous Christmas song of his own, 1979's Wonderful Christmastime.) It's interesting to note that some sources claim the song was initially envisioned as a duet between McCartney and Freddie Mercury, the other rock icon who nearly appeared on the soundtrack for Santa Claus: The Movie.
Sheena Easton, who had previously sung the James Bond theme song For Your Eyes Only, took Mercury's place as the performer of It's Christmas (All Over the World). The Santa Claus: The Movie title song, however, failed to become a popular single.
John Lithgow, who had recently become well-known for his appearances in Terms of Endearment and Footloose, ultimately won the part. Due to his "Grinch-like" look, producer Ilya Salkind realized Lithgow was a natural fit for the part.
Moore's little appearance in his last blockbuster movie, Arthur, led to his selection as Santa's most dependable elf. Liza Minnelli's character in the 1981 movie asks Moore at one point if he is "Santa's Little Helper" Producer Ilya Salkind was affected by this and immediately pictured Moore in a real-life role as one of Santa's helpers.
Carpenter expressed interest in directing Santa Claus: The Movie, but he insisted on creative freedom that the filmmakers would not grant him and wanted Brian Dennehy to play Santa. Carpenter left without agreeing, and Jeannot Szwarc was hired to direct Santa Claus: The Movie. Szwarc, who is best known for Jaws 2, previously collaborated with producer Salkind on the 1984 film Supergirl.
For many of us Santa Claus: The Movie was the one movie that made us feel the most festive when we were kids. Santa Claus: The Movie, which debuted in 1985 and starred Dudley Moore as head elf Patch and David Huddleston as Santa, has gained a cult following.
Some even might argue that Santa Claus: The Movie is the greatest Christmas film ever made, but we don't want to go into that discussion right now. All we can say is that the film is a beloved holiday classic.
And while it may not be the Christmas movie that many remember the most these days, we nevertheless hold it dear to our hearts. Here are ten things about Santa Claus: The Movie you probably didn't know.
#1 The film was a box office flop
Source: Santa Claus: The Movie
Unfortunately, this did not happen, which is bad for the producers. Santa Claus: The Movie was a complete failure, earning only $23.7 million at the box office, and producer Ilya Salkind's cinematic career was basically over. The fact that the film was released just one week after the hugely successful Rocky IV definitely didn't help.
#2 James Cagney and Fred Astaire were considered to play the Ancient One
Source: Michael Ochs Archive / Stringer
When Fred Astaire didn't react to their offer, the filmmakers turned to Burgess Meredith, who was recommended by Dudley Moore, a friend of Astaire's. There was a certain irony in this because Rocky IV, the first Rocky film in which Burgess Meredith did not appear, outperformed Santa Claus: The Movie at the box office.
#3 It’s been called one of the worst Christmas movies ever
Source: Santa Claus: The Movie
At the time of writing, Santa Claus: The Movie had a 20% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This is somewhat less than Santa Claus Conquers the Martians from 1965, one of the most despised Christmas movies, which is rated 25% fresh.
#4 Dudley Moore named Patch after his own son
Source: Santa Claus: The Movie
Moore's run as a top box office attraction appeared to be coming to an end with the release of Santa Claus: The Movie. Moore essentially withdrew from the spotlight when the majority of his subsequent projects, including Like Father Like Son and Arthur 2: On the Rocks, underperformed. He sadly began to deteriorate his health in the late 1990s and died of pneumonia at the young age of 66 in 2002.
#5 Marvel did a comic book adaptation
Source: Marvel Super Special Issue 39
The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, and problems centered around the rock band Kiss were all adapted into Marvel Super Specials in the past. Only two additional issues of the series—adaptations of the films Labyrinth and Howard the Duck—were released after Santa Claus: The Movie.
#6 Paul McCartney wrote songs for the film that were never used
Source: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Instead, the ex-Beatle ended up releasing Once Upon a Long Ago as a single in 1987 and placing it on his compilation album All the Best! (The former Beatle had previously written and released a famous Christmas song of his own, 1979's Wonderful Christmastime.) It's interesting to note that some sources claim the song was initially envisioned as a duet between McCartney and Freddie Mercury, the other rock icon who nearly appeared on the soundtrack for Santa Claus: The Movie.
#7 Freddie Mercury almost sang the theme tune
Source: Fin Costello / Getty Images
Sheena Easton, who had previously sung the James Bond theme song For Your Eyes Only, took Mercury's place as the performer of It's Christmas (All Over the World). The Santa Claus: The Movie title song, however, failed to become a popular single.
#8 Harrison Ford and Dustin Hoffman were both considered for John Lithgow’s bad-guy role
John Lithgow, who had recently become well-known for his appearances in Terms of Endearment and Footloose, ultimately won the part. Due to his "Grinch-like" look, producer Ilya Salkind realized Lithgow was a natural fit for the part.
#9 Dudley Moore was always the first choice to star
Source: Marvel Super Special Issue 39
Moore's little appearance in his last blockbuster movie, Arthur, led to his selection as Santa's most dependable elf. Liza Minnelli's character in the 1981 movie asks Moore at one point if he is "Santa's Little Helper" Producer Ilya Salkind was affected by this and immediately pictured Moore in a real-life role as one of Santa's helpers.
#10 It was almost directed by horror movie legend John Carpenter
Source: AVCO Embassy Pictures/Getty Images
Carpenter expressed interest in directing Santa Claus: The Movie, but he insisted on creative freedom that the filmmakers would not grant him and wanted Brian Dennehy to play Santa. Carpenter left without agreeing, and Jeannot Szwarc was hired to direct Santa Claus: The Movie. Szwarc, who is best known for Jaws 2, previously collaborated with producer Salkind on the 1984 film Supergirl.