WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, THE: SANTA WHO? (TV)
Summary
One of this series of Disney movies presented under the umbrella title "The Wonderful World of Disney." In this made-for-television production, Santa Claus suffers amnesia as Christmas approaches. The program begins with sad child Peter Albright penning a letter to Santa asking for a happy Christmas and a family that loves him. Peter learns from orphanage administrator Sister Greta that his father will never be coming for him. She then burns his letter in the hearth, though its smoky remnants are secured by a mysterious hand atop the chimney. Twenty five years later, Peter is a television news reporter struggling to find a good story. Peter is instead informed by his boss George to do a story on Christmas as seen through the eyes of Santa. He goes to the Woodbine Mall, where he uses a hidden camera to film people's reactions to the yuletide season. He speaks with his girlfriend, mall senior administrator Claire Dreyer. After the regular Santa gets injured, Claire talks Peter into filling in for the afternoon. Meanwhile, at the North Pole, Santa's elves are busy preparing for the big day. Head elf Max goes to speak with the "big fella," who is overworked, tired of the commercialization of Christmas and lack of magic. Later, Peter discusses with Claire how he finds Christmas to be "a crock." The two return home to Claire's son Zack, who is annoyed by the egotistical Peter. Once Zack is in bed, Peter and Claire settle in for a romantic evening. Claire wonders to Peter if he is going to be "permenant." Peter spends the night with Claire and he is forced to scramble in the morning, though Zack is on to their action. Later, Claire wants some clarification on her relationship with Peter.
Meanwhile, Santa takes the reindeer out for a test drive and runs into a storm, causing him to tumble out of the sleigh and land atop Peter's car. Peter brings the unconscious Santa back to Claire's place, where they try to assess his injuries and identify him. Finally regaining consciousness, Santa doesn't know what to say, having lost his memory. Peter thinks they should hire the guy as the new mall Santa. Later, Peter's camera person Lenny shows her colleague a team of reindeer that have mysteriously shown up at the Christmas tree lot. Then, they find a wrecked sleigh that has been cordoned off by police. Soon, Peter is reporting on the most unusual story, wondering if it is all a hoax. Claire brings Santa to the mall, where he auditions for the job after getting tips from Grady, a Salvation Army Santa. Mr. Lusby, Claire's boss, doesn't find Santa to be jolly enough and hires someone else for the position. However, Mr. Lusby's new hire proves to be ill, forcing him to sign on Santa for the slot. Still confused, Santa gets a new wardrobe and look, which Claire subsequently changes back. Claire stills worries that they don't know their Santa's identity. Peter thinks he has the perfect story to report on the news.
At the same time, Max rallies his troops to go find Santa, lest they have to cancel Christmas. Max and fellow elf Rupert arrive at U.S. Customs to enter the country for "business." On the news, Peter has begun to report on "Santa Who," stating the man has no memory. Soon, the city is abuzz with everyone wanting a piece of the action; however, no one seems to legitimately know who Santa is. After work, Santa is shocked that he gets paid for doing his job. Santa and Peter discuss his relationship with Claire. and the big man offers some sage advice on children. Later, Peter shows Santa what he got Zack for a gift. Then, Peter teaches Santa some Christmas songs. Meanwhile, Max and Rupert finds Santa's sleigh and think they're hot on the trail of their boss. By the next morning, Santa refuses to quit singing carols, much to Peter's dismay. Meanwhile, Ray and Nancy Engles think they know who Santa really is: their long-lost grandfather. Police psychiatrist Dr. Ericson puts Santa under hypnosis to try and uncover his past. Afterward, Zack is even more convinced the man is indeed Santa. A disbelieving Peter wants to have Santa in his rightful home in time for Christmas, thus giving the news story a happy ending. Zack sneaks Santa out of the mall and tries to help jog his memory by showing him the mysterious reindeer and sleigh. Peter finds Zack and is angered at him for running off without him. The Engles meet with Detective Lohenry, after which Peter arrives at the police station to hear their story. Afterward, Peter speaks with the detective, not completely buying that Santa is their grandfather. Regardless, Peter goes to Santa and states that his true identify has been discovered. Peter chastises Zack for continuing to say that Christmas will cease to exist if Santa isn't returned to the North Pole. Claire thinks Peter is stuck in the past, and refuses to pursue his future with her. Meanwhile, Max and his elves get closer to their quarry. That night, Peter speaks with Santa, seeing if he remembers a past life with the Engles, which he doesn't. Overnight, Santa has a dream that starts to jog his memory. At the same time, Peter has a nightmare about his unhappy childhood. By morning, Peter and Santa are comparing dreams. Peter tells about writing his letter, which Santa is able to quote verbatim. Santa tells of the Scandinavian custom of burning letters to Santa, assuming the smoke will get the message to the North Pole faster. Santa says that Sister Greta, being Danish, was probably following the tradition. Santa then tells Peter that he thinks he could be a good dad to Zack and a perfect spouse for Claire. Peter is impressed by how much Santa knows about him. Later, Peter reports on the resolution to the "Santa Who" tale, claiming that Santa is actually Nick Engles.
Later, Peter finds the contents of Santa's pockets on his desk, which include the letter to St. Nick which he saw burned in his childhood. Confused at how Nick had acquired his old letter, Peter calls him to inquire. Peter thinks this is proof that Nick is indeed Santa, with the jolly old elf reaching the same conclusion. Santa asks the Engles to bring him to the toy store where Zack and Claire were headed, as Peter calls Claire, asking her to tell Zack that he now believes him. Then, Lenny and the elves swipe Peter, wondering where Santa is. At the toy store, Zack speaks with Santa, confirming that he is the real deal. Then, Zack finds himself in a most precarious position and Santa is forced to save him using a little Santa magic. Just then, Max and the elves arrive with Peter. Now, they have to figure out how to make the toy deliveries in time for Christmas day. They retrieve the sleigh and reindeer, though the police arrive to arrest them for breaking into the Christmas tree lot. Max ties up the police with Christmas lights so that Santa can get on his way. Then, Santa -- along with Max, Peter, Claire, and Zack -- fly away. Peter apologizes to Claire and asks her to marry him. He also begs off Santa's request to give out gifts so that he can spend the holiday with his "new family," the realization of his long-ago Christmas wish. Santa and Max soar off to deliver gifts to the world's children, with Peter filing a news report on the sleigh's flight. Meanwhile, the Engles locate their real grandfather in a nursing home, where he'd been awaiting their arrival. Finally, Peter writes a thank-you to Santa and sends it via the Scandinavian tradition: putting it on the hearth. Also includes Disney president Michael Eisner's preview of "The Wonderful World of Disney's" upcoming presentation of "The Santa Clause" as he talks with its star, Tim Allen. Includes commercials.
(Network varies; this series was also telecast on NBC from 1961 to 1981 and on CBS from 1981 to 1983.)
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 19, 2000 Sunday 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:56:16
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:62394
- GENRE: Comedy, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy, fantasy/science fiction; Christmas; Children's programs
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Fantasia 2000" home video
- TV - Commercials - "Our Lips are Sealed" home video
- TV - Commercials - Afrin nasal sprays
- TV - Commercials - Alpo dog food
- TV - Commercials - America Online internet services
- TV - Commercials - Black & Decker tools
- TV - Commercials - Burger King restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Campbell's soups
- TV - Commercials - Certs breath mints
- TV - Commercials - Cheerio's cereal
- TV - Commercials - Cool Whip whipped topping
- TV - Commercials - Disney Store
- TV - Commercials - Energizer batteries
- TV - Commercials - Gateway computers
- TV - Commercials - Kodak Advantix Access camera
- TV - Commercials - L'Oreal Kids hair care
- TV - Commercials - Library of Congress
- TV - Commercials - MSN web browsing
- TV - Commercials - Mattel Dancin' Debbi doll
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - National Football League
- TV - Commercials - Olive Garden restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Parkay butter substitute
- TV - Commercials - Post Honey Nut Shredded Wheat cereal
- TV - Commercials - Presto Pizzazz pizza oven
- TV - Commercials - Quaker instant oatmeal
- TV - Commercials - Radio Shack
- TV - Commercials - Reddi Wip whipped cream
- TV - Commercials - Sears stores
- TV - Commercials - Sprint calling plans
- TV - Commercials - TJ Maxx stores
- TV - Commercials - Taco Bell restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Target stores
- TV - Commercials - The Consumer Action Handbook
- TV - Commercials - Tic Tac breath mints
- TV - Commercials - Toys "R" Us stores
- TV - Commercials - United Way organization
- TV - Commercials - Wal-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - eToys.com
- TV - Promos - "Christina Aguilera: My Reflection"
- TV - Promos - "David Blaine: Frozen in Time"
- TV - Promos - "Disney"s One Saturday Morning: Buzz Lightyear of Star Command"
- TV - Promos - "Disney"s One Saturday Morning: Recess"
- TV - Promos - "Disney"s One Saturday Morning: Teacher's Pet"
- TV - Promos - "Disney"s One Saturday Morning: The Weekenders"
- TV - Promos - "Jingle All the Way"
- TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
- TV - Promos - "The Best Commercials Holiday Edition"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "The Wonderful World of Disney: The Santa Clause"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Celebrity Edition"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Family Edition"
CREDITS
- Chad S. Hoffman … Executive Producer, Based on a story by
- Robert Schwartz … Executive Producer, Based on a story by
- Frank Siracusa … Producer
- Cheryl Green … Associate Producer
- Peter Ware … Visual Effects Producer
- William Dear … Director
- Debra Frank … Writer
- Steve L. Hayes … Writer
- Joel McNeely … Music by
- Leslie Nielsen … Cast, Santa Claus
- Steven Eckholdt … Cast, Peter Albright
- Robyn Lively … Cast, Claire Dreyer
- Max Morrow … Cast, Zack Dreyer
- Tommy Davidson … Cast, Max the Elf
- Darren Frost … Cast, Rupert the Elf
- Karen Leblanc … Cast, Lenny
- R.D. Reid … Cast, Grady
- Ted Atherton … Cast, George
- Stewart Arnott … Cast, Mr. Lesby
- Carol Lempert … Cast, Ellen
- Roger Clown … Cast, Ray Engles
- Elizabeth Brown … Cast, Nancy Engles
- de Carteret, Laura … Cast, Sister Greta
- Richard Fitzpatrick … Cast, Detective Lohenry
- Karen Robinson … Cast, Dr. Ericson
- Connor Cunningham … Cast, Young Peter
- Bill Dear … Cast, Spark
- David Sparrow … Cast, Customs Inspector #1
- Jazz Mann … Cast, Customs Inspector #2
- Aron Tager … Cast, Nick Engles
- Kay Tremblay … Cast, Elderly Woman
- Charles Seixas … Cast, Tow Truck Driver
- Steve Smith … Cast, Tree Lot Guard
- Jonathan Welsh … Cast, Park Policeman
- Erik Knudsen … Cast, Little Boy
- Kayla Perlmutter … Cast, Little Girl
- Victoria Mosely … Cast, Malibu Mallory Girl
- Irv Stevens … Cast, Police Sergeant
- Dianne Parke-Jones … Cast, Caroler
- Gerry Quigley … Cast, Skinny Santa
- Jack Newman … Cast, Borscht Belt Santa
- Jeffrey R. Smith … Cast, Brando Santa
- Robert McKenna … Cast, Soused Santa
- Claudio Masciulli … Cast, Shopper #1
- Deborah Lobban … Cast, Shopper #2
- Billy Otis … Cast, Shifty Man
- Alison Burn … Cast, Angry Woman
- Marty Moreau … Cast, Easter Bunny
- Peggy Coffey … Cast, Cab Passenger
- Brendan Wall … Cast, Mall Santa
- Shira Hoffman … Cast, Girl in Living Room
- Tim Allen
- Michael Eisner