Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Santa Claus: The Movie is a 1985 holiday film that is both about the origin of Santa Claus and the story of an evil toymaker (played by John Lithgow) who seeks to take over Christmas with the help of a prodigal elf (played by Dudley Moore). Although the abrupt shift in tone from the first half of the movie to the second is jarring, of greater concern is the constant smoking, as Lithgow's character is always shown smoking a cigar. There also is lots of consumerism (product placement for McDonald's) and mild profanity ("crap," "sucks," "hell"). Although the movie does teach lessons on Christmas being a time of selfless giving, and there are some clever moments along the way, overall, the movie's inability to decide exactly what it wants to be makes the cynical tone of the second half a bit much for both parents and kids.
Sexual
Content
Not applicable
Violence
Kids bully and taunt two of the lead children in the movie for claiming to have met Santa Claus. Early in the film, the elderly couple who eventually become Santa and Mrs. Claus seem to perish when their sleigh gets trapped in a blizzard.
Language
"Crap," "sucks," "hell."
Social
Behavior
The movie shows the importance of selfless giving during the holiday season and contrasts this with the evils of selfish greed.
Consumerism
A Coca-Cola can is prominently displayed in a scene in which a homeless boy is given dinner. The antagonist is shown pouring a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon into a glass. One scene is filmed inside a McDonald's restaurant; several types of McDonald's food are prominently shown.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
The antagonist is never shown without a smoking cigar. He's also shown drinking beer. A man dressed like Santa Claus on a New York City street is shown drinking from a bagged bottle presumed to be alcohol.
