Santa Claus (1959)

User Rating:

1.8/10   

Director:

René Cardona

Writers:

Adolfo Torres Portillo (story) and
René Cardona (story) ...

Release Date:

October 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

An Enchanting World of Make-Believe!

Plot:

With the aid of Merlin, Santa Claus must defeat the evil machinations of the devil Pitch to ruin Xmas.

Plot Keywords:

Santa Claus | Devil | Mexico | Children | Christmas

Awards:

1 win

Cast

José Elías Moreno	...	Santa Claus
Cesáreo Quezadas 'Pulgarcito'	...	Pedro
José Luis Aguirre 'Trotsky'	...	El Diablo (as José Luis Aguirre 'Trosky')
Armando Arriola	...	El mago Merlín (as Armando Arriola 'Arriolita')
Lupita Quezadas	...	La niña pobre (as Lupita)
Antonio Díaz Conde hijo	...	El Niño Rico (Billy)
Nora Veryán	...	Madre de Lupita
Polo Ortín		(as Leopoldo Ortín Jr.)
Manuel Calvo		(as Manolo Calvo)
José Carlos Méndez	...	Niño (as niño J. Carlos Méndez)
Jesús Brook	...	Niño (as niño Jesús Brook)
Queta Lavat		(as Enriqueta Lavat)
Ángel Di Stefani	...	Vulcano - The Blacksmith (as Ángel D'Stefani)
Guillermo Bravo Sosa		(as Gmo. Bravo Sosa)
Graciela Lara

Runtime:

USA:94 min

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA High Fidelity)

Filming Locations:

Estudios Churubusco Azteca, Mexico City, México D.F., Mexico

Company:

Cinematográfica Calderón S.A.

Trivia:

While billed simply as "El Diablo" ("The Devil") in the credits, Pitch's character name in the original version is "Precio" ("Price").

Goofs:

Continuity: The text on the burning newspaper changes from English to Spanish between shots.

Quotes:

Narrator: This is Santa's Magic Observatory. What wonderful intstruments! The Ear Scope! The Teletalker, that knows everything! The Cosmic Telescope! The Master Eye! Nothing that happens on Earth is unknown to Santa Claus!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Devil Doll (#9.18)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Jingle Bells

Mexican Santa Claus Versus Satan

What the ...? As a kid's film, this is a complete failure. What would you expect from the folks who brought us "The Brainiac" and "Night of the Bloody Apes"? However, as a surrealist film, it is one of the most compellingly bizarre things I've ever seen. I know this wasn't the intentions of the filmmakers (who wanted to create some Yuletide magic to make a buck), but this is what nightmares are made of. I'd go so far as to saying this is the most bizarre film I've ever seen, and I'm familiar with the works of Jodorowsky and David Lynch. The film's already general weirdness is increased in my eyes as its all completely unintentional. What kind of mind would create this and honestly think of it as holiday cheer? Its certainly the most unintentionally bizarre film ever made, even beating out infamous titles such as "Glen or Glenda" and "The Tingler". This coupled with the garishly kitschy set design (which is like those old Flash Gordan serials on acid) make this a must for psychotronic fans. This is the stuff us cult film fanatics can only dream of.

What makes it so bizarre? It is one of the worst bastardizations of Santa Claus ever made. Santa doesn't live in the north pole, but in a cloud in outer space. He doesn't have elves as helpers, but children from all around the world (apparently child labor laws don't mean too much to him). His helper is Merlin the Magician. How these two came together I don't know, but here they are hand in hand. He really knows what every child is up to due to his surveillance system including a giant ear and lips that transmit what every child is saying. He has to fight Satan, who wants to stop him. If this film was ever re-released, a more appropriate title would be "Mexican Santa Claus Versus Satan". Apparently Santa represents the worst enemy to Lucifer. Interestingly enough, this is the only Christmas film in recent memory to mention Jesus explicitly.

This isn't something to show to your kids. It'll give them nightmares for weeks on end and possibly result in them hating the holiday. However, psychotronic fans will be in heaven. This is as unique a viewing experience as either "Eraserhead" or "El Topo". I enjoyed this a lot better than the more infamous "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians". The sheer strangeness along with the fact I was never bored combined to create a film I know I'll never forget. I can't award this anything higher than a five, because the filmmakers completely failed at their original intentions, but I still highly recommend this to those intrigued by what they've read. (5/10)