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Mrs. Santa Claus
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Wikipedia article
'Mrs. Santa Claus' is a 1996 American made-for-television musical fantasy comedy film directed by Terry Hughes with a teleplay by Mark Saltzman. It stars Angela Lansbury in the title role and Charles Durning as her husband, Santa Claus.
The film was billed as the first original musical written for television since 'Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella' in 1957. The special features music by Jerry Herman. It was originally broadcast as a Hallmark Entertainment presentation on CBS on December 8, 1996.[http://articles.latimes.com/1996-12-07/entertainment/ca-6512_1_santa-claus 'Lansbury Sings 'Mrs. Santa Claus' to Life'] at Los Angeles Times
Premise
The movie is set in December 1910. Mrs. Santa Claus is trying to convince her husband, Santa Claus, to take a new route, but he is preoccupied with the Christmas rush and won't listen. Disgruntled, she takes the sleigh out herself, but is forced to land in New York City, where she is stranded when one of the reindeer (Cupid) becomes injured. As "Mrs. North", she takes up board with a family of Jewish immigrants who do not celebrate Christmas. She befriends many of the local children and women, and becomes involved with political issues of the period such as child labour and women's suffrage.
Cast
* Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Anna Claus
* Charles Durning as Santa Claus
* Terrence Mann as Augie Tavish, owner of Tavish Toys
* Michael Jeter as Arvo, Santa's Head Elf
* Debra Wiseman as Sadie Lowenstein, a Jewish immigrant girl who fights for women's rights
* Lynsey Bartilson as Nora Kilkenny, an Irish immigrant in New York
* Rosalind Harris as Mrs. Lowenstein, Sadie's mother, a Jewish immigrant
* Sabrina Bryan as Fritzie
* David Norona as Marcello Damoroco, an Italian immigrant in New York, who is in love with Sadie
* Bryan Murray as Police Officer Doyle, an Irish immigrant in New York
Production
'Mrs. Santa Claus' was filmed from August 12 to September 19, 1996, at the following studios:[https://variety.com/1996/tv/reviews/mrs-santa-claus-1200448162/ 'Mrs. Santa Claus'] at Variety, retrieved December 27, 2015.
* Universal Studios, Universal City, California exterior scenes of New York City at New York Street backlot set (Stage 22);
* Stewart Stages, Valencia, California interior scenes of Santa Claus' workshop and Santa's office sets;
* Havenhurst Studios, Van Nuys, California blue screen filming of Mrs. Claus in the red sleigh pulled by a herd of reindeer.
The film's musical score was written by Jerry Herman, the composer of such hit Broadway musicals as 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'La Cage aux Folles'. Directed by Terry Hughes, the costume designer was Bob Mackie with choreography by Rob Marshall. The executive producer, David Shaw, is the stepson of Angela Lansbury. Screenwriter Mark Saltzman based some of the script on family stories of the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Soundtrack
The original television cast recording of 'Mrs. Santa Claus' was recorded from August 8 to 22, 1996 at O'Henry Sound Studios in Burbank, California. It was released on CD and cassette tape by RCA Victor on November 26, 1996.
;Track listing
Reception
Nielsen ratings
The film's original broadcast brought in a 14.7/22 rating share, easily winning its timeslot, and tying with a special Thursday repeat of 'Men Behaving Badly' on NBC, for #3 out of 110 programs airing that week.https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-12-16.pdfAwards and nominations
Home media
'Mrs. Santa Claus' was released on VHS and Laserdisc on October 21, 1997, and again on VHS September 18, 2001. It was first released on DVD on September 23, 2003, and was long been out of print until a 2018 re-release by Sonar Entertainment.
See also
* List of Christmas films
* Santa Claus in film
References
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