Santa Claus (1960)

Video Release: 11/15/2011

Reviewer: Edwin L. Carpenter
Source: Video
Writer: Adolfo Torres Portillo, René Cardona
Producer: Guillermo Calderón
Director: René Cardona
Genre: Family
Runtime: 85 min.
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Starring: José Elías Moreno, Cesáreo Quezadas ,José Luis Aguirre, Armando Arriola, Cesáreo Quezadas, Lupita Quezadas, Antonio Diaz Conde, Angel D’Estefan

Synopsis:
- The producers packed every magical, wacky, and just plain weird, holiday oddity known to man in to this wild-n-wonderful, and strangely charming, children's classic! It's not enough that Santa must deal with the usual suspects - the good little boys and girls, and the not so good little boys and girls - but this season Lucifer himself is out to ruin Christmas and has sent his chief minion, Pitch, on a mission to Earth to turn all the children of the world against Santa. But wait, there's more! Santa's workshop is located high above the North Pole in a Toyland castle in outer space, where he plays the organ and keeps watch over the children on earth through specialized equipment, while readying his mechanical reindeer for Christmas Eve action. Santa also enlists the aid of Merlin the Wizard, who provides him with magic sleeping powder and a flower that makes one disappear. But wait, there's even more! Santa also receives a magic key that will unlock any door on Earth from Vulcan himself!

Dove Worldview:
This Christmas film has its charms and is a story about the spirit of Christmas overcoming bad little girls and boys after they are prompted by the devil, decked out in red with horns and a goatee, to do wrong.

A toy of the devil is lit by Santa Claus like a firecracker and soon he is dancing up a storm in the world below with plans to prevent Christmas joy. However, rest assured that old St. Nick will help turn the kids around in time for Christmas.

Parents should consult the content listing below. The scenes with the devil dancing might not be for everyone but he is decked out in a costume and it is pretty tame overall. Due to the Christmas spirit of the film, and good triumphing over evil, we are pleased to award our Dove Seal to this movie for ages twelve plus, although some parents might be fine with kids eight and up watching it.

Content Chart & Description

Rating Descriptions

Sex: None
Language: Dumb stupid fools-1
Violence: Puppets hit each other in "Punch and Judy" fashion; boys throw rocks and break windows; Santa is hit with a rock but he is alright; kids push forward in a line and are rude; Santa hits the devil in the rear with a dart; a dog chases Santa up a tree; a man chases a prowler with a gun but it turns out to be Santa.
Drugs: Merlin makes a drug to make children sleepy and sprinkles it on them; a few drinking scenes at a party;
Nudity: Cleavage; shirtless man.
Other: Scene of the Devil and his imps dancing in flames in Hell as he plans to make children do bad things so they won't receive Christmas presents (these scenes are supposed to be funny); a magician named Merlin helps the devil; a child steals a doll but puts it right back; the devil burns his rear in the fire place.

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