Post #421390 by DJ Terence Gunn on Sat, Nov 29, 2008 3:37 PM

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the 1959 Mexican film by director Rene Cardona 'Santa Claus'! (Or did they?) But this is only for fans of 'Santa Claus Conquers The Martians' (which it precedes). Think the latter is strange and campy? 'Santa Claus' takes the (fruit) cake!

A brief synopsis: In order to save Christmas, with the aid of Merlin the Wizard, Santa Claus must defeat the evil and diabolical (much like this film) machinations of the devil Pitch. The international Christmas scenes at the beginning of the film are border line Busby Burkley. This is truly THE most ODD Christmas feature I've ever seen.

Along with 'Santa Claus Conquers The Martians', 'Santa Claus' is another of those films I traditionally throw on for eye candy at my annual Cool Yule Cocktail Parties (those and vintage toy commercials). It's colourful, brilliant, and bizarre. As Sven would say, it's 'good bad taste'.

Not the best example, but here's a clip shown on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pma09UryJC0

As far as Christmas TV Specials (a bit more mainstream, though cynical and not as popular in their own right):

*A Black Adder's Christmas Carol
*Steptoe & Son Christmas Special
*Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean
*All Through The House (episode from 'Tales From The Crypt', based on the original from the early 1970s film)