Mrs. Santa Claus
| Mrs. Santa Claus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | Mark Saltzman |
| Directed by | Terry Hughes |
| Starring |
Angela Lansbury Charles Durning Michael Jeter Terrence Mann Lynsey Bartilson David Norona |
| Music by | Jerry Herman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | David Shaw |
| Producer(s) |
J. Boyce Harman Jr. Eric Ellenbogen |
| Cinematography | Stephen M. Katz |
| Editor(s) | Stan Cole |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Hallmark Entertainment Corymore Productions |
| Distributor | CBS |
| Budget | $11,000,000 [1] |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | December 8, 1996 |
Mrs. Santa Claus is a 1996 American made-for-television musical fantasy-comedy film starring Angela Lansbury in the title role as Mrs. Claus, the wife of Santa Claus. The film was billed as the first original musical written for television since Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella in 1957. It was originally broadcast as a Hallmark Entertainment presentation on CBS on December 8, 1996.[2]
Synopsis
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
- Michael Jeter as Arvo, Santa's Head Elf
- Lynsey Bartilson as Nora Kilkenny, an Irish immigrant in New York
- Debra Wiseman as Sadie Lowenstein, a Jewish immigrant girl who fights for women's rights
- Rosalind Harris as Mrs. Lowenstein, Sadie's mother, a Jewish immigrant who runs a boarding house
- 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
- Terrence Mann as Augustus P. Tavish (Augie Tavish), owner of Tavish Toys
Background & production
Mrs. Santa Claus was filmed from August 12 to September 19, 1996 at the following studios:[3]
- 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
| Mrs. Santa Claus (Original TV Cast Recording) | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album | |
| Released | November 26, 1996 |
| Recorded |
August 8–22, 1996 O'Henry Sound Studios Burbank, California |
| Length | 40:50 |
| Label | RCA Victor |
| Producer | Don Pippin, Jerry Herman |
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
- "Overture" – Jerry Herman
- "Seven Days 'Til Christmas" – Michael Jeter/Kristi Lynes/Jamie Torcellini/Angela Lansbury
- "Mrs. Santa Claus" – Angela Lansbury
- "Avenue A" – David Norona/Grace Keagy/Linda Kerns/Ensemble
- "Avenue A (Reprise)" – Angela Lansbury
- "A Tavish Toy" – Terrence Mann/The Kids
- "Almost Young" – Angela Lansbury
- "Almost Young (Reprise)" – The Kids/Angela Lansbury
- "Suffragette March" – Linda Kerns/Grace Keagy/Debra Wiseman/Angela Lansbury/The Women
- "We Don't Go Together at All" – Debra Wiseman/David Norona
- "Whistle" – Angela Lansbury/Lynsey Bartilson
- "Dear Mrs. Santa Claus" – Charles Durning
- "Whistle (Reprise)" – Angela Lansbury/Lynsey Bartilson
- "He Needs Me" – Angela Lansbury
- "The Best Christmas of All" – Charles Durning/Angela Lansbury/Ensemble
Awards & nominations
| Awards and Nominations | Nominated / Won |
|---|---|
| Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special (Mary Dodson)[4] | Nominated |
| Emmy for Outstanding Choreography | Nominated |
| Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| Emmy for Outstanding Music and Lyrics ("Mrs. Santa Claus") | Nominated |
| Emmy for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special | Won |
| Excellence in Production Design Award: Television | Nominated |
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 has long been out of print.
References
- ↑ Mrs. Santa Claus production notes, retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ↑ Lansbury Sings 'Mrs. Santa Claus' to Life at Los Angeles Times
- ↑ Mrs. Santa Claus at Variety, retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ↑ Barnes, Mike (2016-02-21). "Mary Weaver Dodson, Art Director on 'Murder, She Wrote,' Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-03-13.