The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause is 1994 American fantasy family comedy film produced by Hollywood Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The first installment in The Santa Clause franchise, it stars Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, an ordinary man who accidentally causes Santa Claus (played by Tim Allen's actual stunt double, Steve Lucescu) to fall from his roof to his supposed death on Christmas Eve. When he and his young son, Charlie, finish the late St. Nick's trip and deliveries, they go to the North Pole where Scott learns that he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed Santa Claus.
== Plot ==
Scott Calvin, a 37-year-old marketing director for a toy company in Lakeside, Illinois, is gearing up to spend Christmas Eve with his 8-year-old son, Charlie. Scott hopes to preserve Charlie's belief in Santa Claus, even though he himself is a non-believer. Meanwhile, Scott's ex-wife, Laura, and her psychiatrist husband, Dr. Neal Miller, who both lost faith in Santa at an early age, think that Charlie should also let go of the belief.
After an evening at Denny's due to Scott accidentally burning dinner, he and Charlie are roused by noises on the roof. Investigating the disturbance, Scott surprises Santa Claus, who falls from the roof and disappears, leaving only his red suit and a business card instructing that in such an event, one should wear the suit and the reindeer will guide them. Upon Charlie's urging, Scott hesitantly puts on the suit and they spend the night distributing presents, culminating in a journey to the North Pole on Santa's sleigh.
By donning the suit, Scott unwittingly falls prey to a legal technicality known as "The Santa Clause," thereby assuming all of the previous Santa's duties and responsibilities. Bernard, the head elf, informs Scott that he has eleven months to settle his affairs before he must return to the North Pole on Thanksgiving. Feeling overwhelmed, Scott changes into the pajamas provided and falls asleep. Upon waking in his own bed the next morning, Scott initially thinks the events were a dream, but then notices he's still wearing the pajamas. Charlie is thrilled that his father is the new Santa Claus, which causes Laura, Neal, and the school staff to grow concerned. Wishing not to dampen Charlie's excitement, Scott requests that he keep their North Pole adventure a secret.
Throughout the following year, Scott experiences a significant transformation; he puts on weight and develops a stronger liking for sweets, especially milk and cookies. His beard turns white and immediately grows back after shaving, and his hair becomes white despite his efforts to color it. At a company meeting, Scott is upset by a suggestion to market a toy military tank with Santa depicted riding it. Additionally, Scott starts to identify 'naughty' and 'nice' children by name upon sight. When Laura and Neal see children eager to sit on Scott's lap during Charlie's soccer match, they suspect Scott of intentionally deceiving Charlie and opt to seek a court order to halt Scott's visitation rights.
On Thanksgiving, a heartbroken Scott visits Laura and Neal's house to see Charlie one final time. Eager to help Scott understand his significance to children everywhere, Charlie presents him with a magical snow globe—a gift from Bernard—which persuades Scott that he is indeed Santa. Granted a moment alone with Charlie by Laura and Neal, Bernard materializes and whisks both father and son away to the North Pole. Mistaking the situation for a kidnapping, Laura and Neal alert the authorities.
Scott embarks on a journey to distribute gifts, with Charlie accompanying him. When they reach Laura and Neal's residence, Scott is apprehended by the police as Charlie waits in the sleigh. Eventually, the elves orchestrate Scott's escape from jail. Scott brings Charlie back home, urging him to spend Christmas Eve with Laura and Neal. A sincere talk with Charlie about family unity sways Laura and Neal to believe in Scott's Santa identity. Laura destroys the court order restricting Scott's visitation, affirming he can visit whenever he wishes. Bernard reveals that Scott will appear whenever Charlie shakes his snow globe. Before departing, Scott presents Laura and Neal with the childhood gifts they never received, restoring their faith in Santa. Scott's rooftop departure solidifies his Santa identity to the onlookers and law enforcement. Later, Charlie uses the snow globe to recall Scott, and Laura consents to their joint sleigh ride to continue gift delivery.
== Cast ==
* Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus
* Eric Lloyd as Charlie Calvin
* Wendy Crewson as Laura Miller
* Judge Reinhold as Dr. Neal Miller
* David Krumholtz as Bernard The Head Elf
* Paige Tamada as Judy The Elf
* Peter Boyle as Mr. Whittle
* Larry Brandenburg as Detective Nunzio
* Jayne Eastwood as Judy the Waitress
* Kenny Vadas as the E.L.F.S. Leader
* Chris Benson as Fireman O'Hara
* Mary Gross as Ms. Daniels
* Joyce Guy as Principal Compton
* Judith Scott as Susan Perry
* Tabitha Lupien as Ballet Girl
* Lachlan Murdoch as Fax Kid
* John Pasquin as Santa #6
* Steve Vinovich as Dr. Pete Novos
* Frank Welker as Reindeer (voice)
* Kerrigan Mahan as Reindeer (voice)
* Bob Dermer as Puppet Punch
* Nina Keogh as Puppet Judy
* Melissa King as Sara
* Steve Lucescu as Santa Claus, whom Scott accidentally kills, and must take his place. (Uncredited).
Category:Films
Category:1990s films
Category:Children's films
Category:Children's comedy films
Category:Fantasy films
Category:Fantasy-comedy films
Category:Children's fantasy films
Category:Christmas films
Category:1994 films
Category:English-language films
Category:1990s children's comedy films
Category:1990s fantasy-comedy films
Category:American children's fantasy films
Category:American children's comedy films
Category:American Christmas films
Category:American fantasy-comedy films
Category:American films
Category:Directorial debut films
Category:Films directed by John Pasquin
Category:Films set in Chicago
Category:Films shot in Toronto
Category:Santa Claus in film
Category:Walt Disney Pictures films
Category:Hollywood Pictures films
Category:Slapstick films
Category:1990s children's fantasy films
Category:1990s Christmas films
Category:Films scored by Michael Convertino
Category:Films starring Tim Allen
Category:Films starring Eric Lloyd
Category:Rated PG