A mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.A mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.A mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.
Mickey Rooney
- Kris Kringle
- (voice)
- …
Keenan Wynn
- Winter Warlock
- (voice)
Joan Gardner
- Tanta Kringle
- (voice)
Robie Lester
- Miss. Jessica
- (voice)
- …
Andrea Sacino
- Child
- (voice)
Gary White
- Child
- (voice)
Greg Thomas
- Child
- (voice)
Patty Foley
- Store Wonan
- (uncredited)
Keith Hampshire
- Scrooge
- (uncredited)
Howard Jerome
- Business Man
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaMGM Records issued a soundtrack album from the special in 1970, pressed in limited quantities as a promotional tool for radio station disc jockeys, all with an orange and black promo sticker on the back cover. The score has since been re-issued on CD, but the vinyl remains one of the rarest and most prized Christmas collectibles of all time.
- GoofsThere is no toy duck on the stairs when the Burgermeister comes out of the building. Yet he trips on the toy duck at the top of the stairs.
- Quotes
Dingle: Wiggle my ears and tickle my toes, methinks I see a baby's nose! It's more than a nose. There's a whole baby attached to it. Better call my brothers! Wingle! Bingle! Tingle! Zingle!
Zingle: What is it, Dingle?
Wingle: It's a baby, Zingle.
Tingle: A baby what, Wingle?
Bingle: A baby baby, Tingle.
Dingle: I like babies, Bingle.
Bingle: Our baby's the best baby of them all, Wingle.
- Alternate versionsThe ABC Family/Freeform version (as of 2020) adds back "A Kiss A Toy" and "My World is Beginning Today" songs, but still omits the scene where Burgermeister burns the toys.
- ConnectionsEdited into Saturday Night Live: Hugh Jackman/Mick Jagger (2001)
- SoundtracksSanta Claus is Comin' to Town
(Start) (uncredited)
Music by J. Fred Coots
Lyrics by Haven Gillespie
Arranged by Maury Laws (uncredited) and Jules Bass (uncredited)
Music Directed by Maury Laws (uncredited)
Performed by Fred Astaire
Featured review
I love the Rankin'/Bass Christmas specials. They are so timeless and relaxing to watch, and make you feel so cosy and warm, which is lacking in most Christmas movies of today. As of now, Santa Claus is Comin' To Town is one of my favourites, along with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. There are so many things to like about this special, whether it is the animation, the music or the writing.
The animation is really lovely, perhaps a tad dated, but it does have this sophisticated look that adds to the special's innocence. The music is just gorgeous, the song that Jessica sings is just beautiful beyond words. As for the writing, I agree with anyone who says this one has the best writing out of the specials to come from Rankin'/Bass, a bit like I consider The Little Drummer Boy to be the most poignant. There are some sweet moments, but other parts are very funny, whether it is the interaction between the narrator and the children which was very entertaining, or the dialogue of the toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger such as "Ooooooouuu, I've been bamboozled". And anything Winter says borders on hysterical, like "you mustn't mind the tree monsters. Their bark is worse than their bite".
The characters are wonderful, with Santa really charming here, and Burgermeister Meisterburger a sophisticated enough villain and a funny one too. And then we have the narrator, a wonderful one with some truly entertaining lines. And the voice work is outstanding, particularly strong work from Paul Frees in multiple roles including the villain of the piece Burgermeister Meisterburger. Mickey Rooney is his charming self as Santa/Kris Kringle, so he was an ideal casting choice, and Keenan Wynn was superb as Winter. And Fred Astaire, all I can say is like Rooney an inspired choice, and he was note-perfect. All in all, I am running out of things to say to praise Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, so little more to add than a 10/10. Bethany Cox
The animation is really lovely, perhaps a tad dated, but it does have this sophisticated look that adds to the special's innocence. The music is just gorgeous, the song that Jessica sings is just beautiful beyond words. As for the writing, I agree with anyone who says this one has the best writing out of the specials to come from Rankin'/Bass, a bit like I consider The Little Drummer Boy to be the most poignant. There are some sweet moments, but other parts are very funny, whether it is the interaction between the narrator and the children which was very entertaining, or the dialogue of the toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger such as "Ooooooouuu, I've been bamboozled". And anything Winter says borders on hysterical, like "you mustn't mind the tree monsters. Their bark is worse than their bite".
The characters are wonderful, with Santa really charming here, and Burgermeister Meisterburger a sophisticated enough villain and a funny one too. And then we have the narrator, a wonderful one with some truly entertaining lines. And the voice work is outstanding, particularly strong work from Paul Frees in multiple roles including the villain of the piece Burgermeister Meisterburger. Mickey Rooney is his charming self as Santa/Kris Kringle, so he was an ideal casting choice, and Keenan Wynn was superb as Winter. And Fred Astaire, all I can say is like Rooney an inspired choice, and he was note-perfect. All in all, I am running out of things to say to praise Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, so little more to add than a 10/10. Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 20, 2009
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Santa Claus llega a la ciudad
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime48 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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Top Gap
What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) in Australia?
Answer