John Carpenter Nearly Directed a Notorious Christmas Movie

Horror icon John Carpenter was on the brink of directing what many consider one of the worst Christmas films in history. As we dive into the holiday season, debates heat up over what qualifies as the ultimate Christmas movie, and conversely, which film holds the title of the worst offender. Among the usual suspects is 1985’s “Santa Claus: The Movie,” helmed by Jeannot Szwarc, celebrated for works like “Supergirl” and the divisive “Jaws 2.”

At first glance, “Santa Claus: The Movie” seems to have a compelling premise. It follows Claus, portrayed by David Huddleston, as he evolves from a toy giver in a quaint village into the beloved figure of Santa Claus after encountering Patch, an elf played by Dudley Moore. The narrative jumps ahead centuries to a hectic North Pole where Santa is overwhelmed, and Patch has ventured into the corporate toy world in New York City, where he faces off against a sinister businessman, chillingly played by John Lithgow. Despite its intriguing concept resembling a superhero origin tale for Santa, the execution faltered due to a chaotic script by David and Leslie Newman, known for their work on the “Superman” franchise.

The film’s heavy reliance on 1980s commercialism—think McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and even Pabst Blue Ribbon—contributes to its poorly aged reputation. While Huddleston delivers a commendable performance as Santa and Judy Cornwell shines as his wife, Anya, the film ultimately fails to secure a spot among the classic Christmas favorites.

Interestingly, there exists an alternate reality where John Carpenter, a master of horror and a pivotal figure in the genre, could have directed “Santa Claus: The Movie.” Reports indicate that after the success of “The Thing” and “Christine,” Carpenter was open to taking on this holiday project but had specific conditions. He expressed the desire to rewrite the script and receive sole screenwriting credit, compose the film’s score himself, demand final cut approval, and cast Brian Dennehy as Santa. This was the era just before Carpenter embarked on “Big Trouble in Little China,” a time when he was known for making bold, artistic choices that may not have resonated strongly at the box office but gained cult status over the years.

However, the Salkinds, the father-son production team behind the film, found Carpenter’s requests too daunting and returned to Jeannot Szwarc instead. One can’t help but wonder how spectacular Carpenter’s vision for “Santa Claus: The Movie” could have been, especially with Dennehy stepping into the role of Santa during a pivotal period in his career, nestled between “First Blood” and “Cocoon.”

Ultimately, Carpenter went on to create “Starman,” which earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar nomination and remains the director’s closest attempt at crafting a family-friendly film. The missed opportunity of a Carpenter-scored Christmas film is a sentiment that can’t be overlooked. Perhaps in a different universe, we could have celebrated the holidays with a unique blend of Carpenter’s signature style and the joyous spirit of Santa Claus.