THE SANTA CLOD

THE SANTA CLAUSE
(1994)
dir: John Pasquin

THE SANTA CLOD
Cracked #298, May 1995
w: Andy Simmons
a: John Severin

I was saving this for Christmas then my computer was broken on Christmas then after everything was fixed I had this new backlog and I'm trying to do things alphabetically and blah blah blah, but here it is.

A family film that became a whole franchise. It's about Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) who sees Santa fall off his roof and then disappear. He sees a note to put on the suit and continue the work and thinks it's a one-time thing, but not realizing the fine print in the note says that he's legally bound to continue as Santa Claus.

Scott is divorced from his wife and shares custody of his son Charles. Charles' stepfather Neil (Judge Reinhold) thinks he's ready to outgrow Santa, but continues to believe in him once the father continues as Santa.

Scott's magically stretched when chimneys are too small and his bag of toys is replenished for each job. He overcomes obstacles in each home and everything is taken care of for him. He thinks he's done and will go back home but it taken to headquarters at the North Pole where the head elf (David Krumhholz) gives him instructions for the next year.

Scott finds himself turning more and more into Santa Claus. Charles knows the transformation is real, but his mother (Wendy Crewson) and stepfather think Scott is taking the delusion too far and take custody of Charles. Scott has kidnapped Charles and have sent the police out to look for them.

Scott/Santa is caught and arrested, but elves rescue him so he can continue his work and everyone believes in him again.