While we’re still in that “Christmas into New Year’s” week here’s a look at a terrific seasonal silent movie.
SANTA CLAUS (1925) – This 28 minute and 44 second movie was directed by Frank Kleinschmidt, the famous explorer and documentary filmmaker. Santa Claus has an irresistible charm and with its short running time might be the ideal way of introducing silent films to modern day viewers who are unfamiliar with them.
Kleinschmidt filmed this project in Alaska, so viewers get plenty of snowy scenery plus animal life from the far north. The movie presents some very clever lore surrounding Santa and his activities.
Santa Claus opens with Saint Nick himself welcoming us with arms spread wide. The story proper gets underway as we join two children – a brother and sister – who sneak out of their beds overnight to wait for Santa in their living room.
That right jolly old elf eventually materializes in the children’s home like he’s “beamed down” on Star Trek. The boy and girl hug Santa and want him to explain what he does the rest of the year. Continue reading
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