From the original MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET  to the upcoming movie ARTHUR CHRISTMAS, Santa Claus has always held a special place in the movies. Since the days of black and white, to animated films, Santa Claus has always been portrayed as a portly, white-bearded fellow with a jolly disposition and always wearing his red and white coat, trousers and hat. Over 60 years have passed since MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET , but Santa’s image has been preserved, continuing on to become one of the most recognisable characters in movie history.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Filmed in black and white, this is one of the classic Santa Claus tales of a mall Santa who turns out to be the real deal. Santa Claus, or Kris Kringle as he calls himself in the movie, is played by Edmund Gwenn, who makes for a very realistic, generous character that enchants the hearts of all who see this movie.
The theme of this movie is rekindling the belief of Santa Claus, especially for Doris Walker, who is the events director at Macy’s, and her daughter Susan, who doesn’t believe in Santa.

This film won 2 Oscars for Best Writing, one for Original Story and one for Screenplay. A third Oscar went to Edmund Gwenn himself for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. At the Golden Globes in 1948, Gwenn again won the Best Supporting Actor award. Miracle on 34th Street set the standard for Santa Claus in film.

Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)

This movie has two parts: the first, is the story of how Santa Claus came to be many centuries ago. The second is about an orphan boy, a young girl, a sleazy businessman, and an overzealous elf who wants to upstage Santa. Huddleston makes a wonderful Santa, and the concept of a jolly, white-bearded Santa Claus wearing red and white clothes still continues from the days of Miracle on 24th Street. Although this movie has been considered a bit corny and outdated, it’s still cherished as a must see during the holiday season.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

One would normally think of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas as a movie more suited to marking the coming of Halloween, but in this animated movie the Christmas spirit is indeed captured.
Despite not being a major character, Santa Claus is still represented by a jolly, white-bearded character. Edward Ivory voices Santa Claus, and even though he doesn’t have very many lines, he pulls off a very convincing Santa.

The Santa Clause (1994)

What is interesting about this movie is that the idea of Santa Claus not being immortal is directly addressed. This Santa actually starts out as an average, ordinary businessman named Scott Calvin, a divorced dad, who believes Santa isn’t real. However, when his son Charlie hears something on the roof, Scott startles Santa Claus, who falls off the roof. To ‘finish’ Santa’s job of delivering gifts, Scott dons the suit thus becoming the next Santa. Over the next year, Scott gets rounder and plumper, starts to grow a white beard, and has a sudden craving for sweets, like Santa we know today.

Tim Allen performs a wonderful dichotomy between the personalities of Scott Calvin, the non-believing businessman, and Santa Claus.

The Polar Express (2004)

This movie is based on the classic Christmas story, by Chris Van Allsburg, about a boy who begins to doubt in Santa Claus. On Chrismtas Eve The Polar Express appears outside his window enabling him to embark upon a journey to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus himself.

Tom Hanks voices not one, but six characters in The Polar Express. One of those characters is Santa Claus, who despite not having many lines still commands a warm and generous presence. The animation team still portrayed with the white-beard and red coat, an image that has now lasted over 50 years.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

This movie tells the story of Santa Claus and his family in their bid to continue the tradition of delivering all Christmas presents in just one night. When it is discovered that one of the presents was not delivered the Santa’s must work together to give a little girl her present before daybreak on Christmas morning.
But will they make it in time?

Watch ARTHUR CHRISTMAS in cinemas from 11th November.