Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)

The Waltons cast reunion coming up on Friday December 2, 2011 will include fourteen actors from The TV series The Waltons and the TV movie The Homecoming.  For more details: http://WaltonsHomecoming40th.com. 

Huddleston as Sheriff Bridges looking for the the Robin Hood Bandit in the 1971 TV movie The Homecoming.

One of the exciting guests to attend next week's reunion is actor David Huddleston who played Sheriff Ep Bridges in The Homecoming.

Huddleston as A.J. Covington, a writer seeking life experiences as inspiration for a novel

Huddleston also appeared on The Waltons in the first season episode "The Literary Man" as the writer A.J. Covington.  He will be a wonderful addition to the reunion guests.

But Christmas movie fans may also recognize Huddleston from another role--as Santa himself in the 1985 theatrical release Santa Claus: The Movie, directed by Jeannot Szwarc.  This children's movie  begins with the ancient story of how a local toymaker becomes the mythological, magical Santa Claus.  The second half of the movie reveals a storyline about an ambitious elf named Patch, who modernizes toy manufacturing with a magical machine that reduces elf labor.  A set back causes him to leave the North Pole and journey to New York City to start again in a new place.  There, he’s exploited by an unscrupulous toy manufacturer named BZ, who wants to create profits for himself by replacing Santa’s freely given toys with purchasable ones from his factories.  An orphan boy  named Joe helps Santa become aware of poor Patch’s situation and BZ's commercialization of Christmas.

left: Anya Claus (or Mrs. Claus) played by Judy Cornwell with Huddleston (right) as Santa Claus.

Though the film may move a bit slow for adult viewers, there is still much to be appreciated here.  The cast is chock full of recognizable actors:  of course, Huddleston makes a wonderful Santa Claus, and actress Judy Cornwell appears as his wife, Anya Claus.  Cornwell played Daisy on the British TV series Keeping Up Appearances, a staple britcom on most PBS stations.  She also appeared in the horror/thriller Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?  The elf Patch is played by Dudley Moore and the over-the-top, greedy businessman BZ is played by John Lithgow.  In much smaller roles, you may recognize Burgess Meredith as the powerful, ancient elf and Christopher Ryan--Eddy's ex-husband Marshall on the TV series Absolutely Fabulous--also plays an elf.  The animatronic reindeer used in the filming of the movie are also something to see.

David Huddleston more recently appeared in the 2009 Christmas special of the outrageous comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Frank's former business partner Eugene Hamilton (think Jacob Marley).  If you still aren't convinced of Huddleston's awesomeness, then just remember:

Huddleston also played Jeffrey Lebowski in the 1998 cult movie classic The Big Lebowski directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.  Don't forget:  I included a Christmas-themed Make Your Own Marathon for The Big Lebowski in my book The Christmas TV Companion.  I'm really looking forward to next week's Waltons reunion--will you be joining us?

The Big Lebowski update

If you are one of those people, you will know that tickets went on sale this morning for LebowskiFest 2010 in Los Angeles. LebowskiFest is the place for fans of the 1998 cult film The Big Lebowski to gather together, bowl a few games, drink White Russians, and quote your favorite lines--all while wearing a movie-inspired ridiculous costume.

Of course, I consider myself one of those people. We call ourselves 'Achievers,' however I'm not planning on making it to the LA event. But if you've seen my book, you well know that I included in the appendix an example Make Your Own Marathon of Christmas-themed programs that include the actors from The Big Lebowski. In honor of the upcoming LebowskiFest, it's time for an update to that MYOM.



The 2009 holiday season brought about a direct-to-video release for the Christmas special from the TV series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. (If you've seen it, you already know why it didn't air on TV--there's a language issue and nudity. But I'll bet an edited version will eventually surface for broadcast.) It includes actor David Huddleston as Eugene Hamilton, Frank Reynold's former business partner that is coerced into playing the Jacob Marley role in Dee and Dennis' attempt to 'Christmas Carol' Frank into being a better person. I don't want to say too much here--it needs to be seen to be believed. But fans of The Big Lebowski will recognize actor Huddleston as the wheelchair-bound Lebowski in the cult film.

Dios Mio! In-N-Out Burger drive-thru workers
with Liam at LebowskiFest, Louisville KY 2008