Miracle on 34th St. & Violent Night (and a list of great movie Santa Clauses)
This last weekend, we were treated to a John Wick-esque Christmas tale with the David-Harbour-led Violent Night. Following a Kris Kringle who has grown tired of delivering video games and cash to greedy children, Harbour’s Santa finds his reason to celebrate the season when a family is held hostage by a criminal group who wishes to steal the family matriach’s wealth. The jaded and annoyed performance from Harbour is nothing new for him after four seasons on Stranger Things, but it is fairly new territory for Santa.
Conversely, the most classic Santa performance has to belong to Edmund Glenn in Miracle on 34th St. Too be honest, this last weekend was my first time really watching the movie, which is something I am honestly a little ashamed of. But wow! It was a delightful experience. Christmas movies will always have a special place in my heart, but older entries in this genre really do it for me. But especially anything that came out pre-1970 is spectacular to me. Glenn is absolutely terrific as the jolly gift giver. He has all the charm and generous spirit you would expect, but he has a real attitude about the world around him. He cares about people specifically and not just in the philanthropic way in which he is often portrayed. This writing is what really endures him to the audience. After watching this classic and the new entry, it got me thinking about all the different portrayals of Santa Claus from over the years. So I’ve decided to make a list of these great performances for you. Consider it an early Christmas gift!
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Elf
On top of this being one of Will Ferrell’s best movies, Ed Asner’s portrayal of Santa is terrific. He has the attitude of a workman’s Kris Kringle: stoic yet understanding. The two scenes that really set him apart in my mind are in the beginning of the movie when Buddy (Ferrell) is announcing his intention to go to New York City to find his father. Santa’s reminds Buddy that the counsel of Leon the snowman carries little weight as he is made of snow and never been anywhere, which is hilarious as it is true. Plus the advice of not eating any gum one finds on the street is right up Buddy’s alley as the man child ends up doing exactly that. There are some more emotional scenes in the movie, especially the ending where Santa reunites with Buddy in Central Park and gets help from Buddy’s Dad (James Caan) and Michael (Daniel Tay). But that comedic element is really what sents him apart.
Klaus
This Netflix animated flick from a few years ago is a little-seen gem. In this story about postman Jasper (Jason Schwartzman) who forms a partnership with a woodsman named Klaus (JK Simmons) to give little toys and figurines to the children in the depressing town where they live. Simmons’ gruff and stoic nature lend itself perfectly to lumberjack Santa, but he also shows off a vulnerable side. With beautiful animation and a stacked cast of Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, and the late Norm MacDonald, I would definitely recommend it.
Fatman
Without question, this is my favorite Christmas movie of the 2020s. Weary-old warrior Santa Claus, played by Mel Gibson, has to face a hitman (Walton Goggins) tasked with bringing a greedy child the head of Saint Nick. Again, like Klaus this has a much more gruff take on Kris Kringle, but the action-packed nature of the movie lends itself to that well. Gibson and his persona are perfect for that kind of role. Go back and check out my full post about this movie, you should really give it a watch.
Home Alone
Okay, there is no “real” Santa Claus in this classic, but I have to give a shoutout to the mall Santa who Kevin approaches after he’s left the bar. His struggle to pull his beard up, him putting out his cigarette, and his car crapping out on him. It is the perfect encapsulation of a mall Santa down on his luck. Props to the classic because it is a classic for a reason.
The Santa Clause
This one has to less to do with the actual portal of Santa and the story and setup. Not to dunk on Time Allen though; his jovial and sarcastic are put to good use here. But the idea of having Santa be a role passed on from one person to another is ingenious. The magical powers and abilities that come with it are a welcome addition too. How else is he meant to get the jolly shape and travel around the world in one night? I don’t know if I needed three movies and a TV show about it, but I did enjoy it.
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I will be posting more Christmas related-content over the next couple of weeks along with the usual reviews.
Until I see another one