Admittedly I liked it better than the '59 Santa Claus but I wouldn't say it's good still. Still made during a particular high of science fiction filmmaking albeit on a low budget, the story goes that a group of martians intend on kidnapping the big red man for their own children's joy as infighting breaks loose on the martian side, two kids get swept up in the story for some reason or another, and a robot is woefully underused. It's an odd mix without a shadow of a doubt and severely lacks any of the heart that was somewhat present in the last movie but has it's own niche and unique charm. The set design and costuming is basic yet inventive, the color grading though washed out and no doubt from a rough surviving print unmistakeably is very 60s, and I think that's why it's as memorable as it is. Aside from a catching title the look is why it's kinda stuck around in the underbelly of Christmas films. Hell I heard about the movie years before Mystery Science Theater came to my attention, and maybe some of you hardcore veterans of Cinemassacre remember James' review on it roughly around 2008. It's for younger kids without a doubt though there is a chance they might like it and it'll become one of those nostalgic guilty pleasures, a rite of passage all of us share. John Call looks spectacular as Santa, he really nails the look and the more hands on toy maker aspect of this beloved icon and it does kinda make me laugh hearing his accent come through making him the most New Yawk-er Santa's ever. And I gotta say for actor's wearing such outlandish costumes both Leonard Hicks and Vincent Beck play this shit deaaaad flippin' straight, dare I almost say bringing a touch of gravitas to playing people from Mars which is both admirable and surprising. The kids actually aren't half bad as well, Victor Stiles and Donna Conforti though not having much to do and are a farcry from the children empowering fantasy one might expect in a movie like this, they do okay. I love the robot design the martians deploy to kidnap Santa, this boxy itterly homemade yet endearingly classic design just puts a smile on my face but damn it we needed more robot in this! Of course I watched this movie riffing intact which made it quite fun, and blimey the last time I reviewed a movie with the MST3K treatment was Space Mutiny so this was a welcome little treat in a season I mostly detest. So I give it 2 stars, 5/10, and while I certainly wish I did far more for this month, tomorrow is another day or perhaps I should say another year. Time seems to be moving at warp factor 9 these days and I feel like I'm fading bit by bit, but my enjoyment to keep writing even if not at the stellar pace of my previous years hasn't dimmed. I sure hope the holidays haven't been as hectic for you as they have been for me, and that you are in good spirits. I'll definitely see you next year my friends and I hope I have more groovy things for you to watch and enjoy. So be safe, eat and drink and be merry, see you in 2026.
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