Santa Clause, The (film)

Santa Clause, The (film) Scott Calvin is a divorced father whose strained relationship with his 8-year-old son, Charlie, begins to mend only after a bizarre twist of fate transforms him into the new Santa. When the current Santa Claus falls off his roof on Christmas Eve, Scott dons Santa’s suit, and soon he and his son are whisked off to the North Pole. The head elf, Bernard, tells Scott about the clause, a contract stating that whoever puts on the Santa suit must also take on all the responsibilities that go with the position. While Scott is not too thrilled, Charlie is overjoyed. Over twelve months, Scott puts on an enormous amount of weight and sprouts a full white beard, and when Christmas comes, it becomes clear that Scott is the real Santa. Released on November 11, 1994. Directed by John Pasquin. 97 min. Stars Tim Allen (Scott Calvin), Judge Reinhold (Dr. Neal Miller), Wendy Crewson (Laura Calvin), David Krumholtz (Bernard), Peter Boyle (Mr. Whittle), Eric Lloyd (Charlie Calvin). For the elves, the filmmakers selected 125 children ranging in age from 2 to 13 years, but even though they happen to look like children, they are supposed to be hundreds of years old. Through makeup and “fat suits,” Tim Allen changes from a 32- to a 53-inch waist during the course of the production. The film was shot on location in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. Released on video in 1995.