Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

For our “Schlocky Sci-Fi Friday Move” this week I dug down deep in the collection of odd-ball science fiction and pulled up one with a little Yuletide cheer tossed in.

This movie stars Pia Zadora, John Call, and Leonard Hicks.  It was made in 1964 and is filmed in color (although we turned that off – it’s a Friday thing!)

The Story
It seems Martian children are addicted to Earth’s television shows featuring Santa Claus, and this enrages their parents, who travel to Earth to Kidnap Santa himself.  On arrival they kidnap two children who lead them to Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. The Martians return home with Santa and the two children in tow, but underestimate Santa’s unstoppable Yuletide joy.

What I Thought
This is one of those, “So bad I can’t help but love it” movies and you know going in that it’s going to be such.  If you’re looking for high quality entertainment – look elsewhere.  If you liked Mystery Science Theater, this is for you.  The acting is wooden, the sets are cardboard and Styrofoam. The Martian costumes are reminiscent of Marvin the Martian, and Santa Claus… well, Santa seems rather odd to me – his Ho, Ho, Ho is more like heh, heh, heh.  But, you’ve got to love the spirit of the thing!  And the theme song will take up residence in your mind – you’ve been warned!

Want to See it?