Santa's Magic Kingdom (1966) User Reviews

Whoa

[sdribble · 9 December 2005]

This film is currently (Dec. 2005) airing on ComCast On Demand under the Something Weird section. (Good ol' Something Weird Video.) Apparently it was made to be shown at various Santa's Villages and Santa-themed children's parks. (You'll notice that Santa says things like 'This is what you might see at one of my many villages', suggesting that it was meant to shown without any specific park being mentioned.) Basically, its meant as an introduction/commercial for such establishments.

The production value is laughable, coming off as a home-movie that had sound dubbed in later. Many bizarre creatures (Easter Bunnies, an ugly Cinderella (with a sickly green face thanks to faded film color), and a Merlin the Magician make appearances. The 'plot' has the creatures and their Santa fighting off an Ogre, who is never actually seen. (Because the people that made this didn't have the extra 5 bucks to make an Ogre costume heh.) Totally ridiculous, totally cheeseball, and lots of fun, especially since not many 'Santa's Workshops/Villages' seem to exist anymore.

something weird is right!

[kitkat981 · 1/10 · 5 January 2006]

Santa's Magic Kingdom has the look and feel of a bad, experimental student film. It has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, despite featuring Santa and his reindeer and being shot in a snow village amusement park (in the middle of summer). What little plot there is involves an ogre (portrayed by Big Wooden Dinosaur) attacking the village, although we never actually see it for more than a few seconds. Merlin's battle with the ogre takes place entirely off camera, while the townsfolk stand around and vacantly look at each other instead of reacting, which I think is what's meant to happen. However, when its over, the jubilation goes on for what seems like five minutes. Puss n'Boots is another main character in this lackluster tale, as well as the narrator. Other familiar faces such as Mrs. Claus (in horn rimmed specs) and the Easter Bunny, as well as some unfamiliar ones, such as Stinky the Skunk make cameo appearances. The highlight of the production comes at the very end when Pretty Princess sings a song that has no melody and is joined by the inhabitants of the village in a chorus of whistling.

Santa's Magic Kingtom is awful but mercifully short

[tavm · 1/10 · 11 December 2007]

Through some links at Cartoon Brew, I discovered the name K. Gordon Murray who was known for some of the schlockiest films of the '60s and early '70s. Santa's Magic Kingdom was the first of these I found on YouTube. It basically takes place in Santa's Village in the summer in either the Midwestern or southern California U.S. since it was filmed in those places. There's also Puss in Boots, the Easter Bunny, Stinky the Skunk (familiar to Murray enthusiasts), the Ferocious Wolf (really a softie), and "the greatest magician of all" Merlin. It seems an ogre (a wooden dinosaur in one scene) is threatening to make the children bad "like me" so Merlin tries to put a stop to that while everyone watches. Then we hear a sappy song from the princess about "whistlin" as this painfully amateurish short mercifully ends. The obvious bad dubbing of the voices do not match the faces here at all and every scene screams "one-take". Makes me wish "Mystery Science Theater 3000" was still on the air because this one definitely calls for riffing by Joel/Mike and the 'bots. Merlin, especially, deserves all the talking back with his attitude! Avoid at all costs.

Santa's Kingdom of Unspeakable Horrors

[creid0000 · 10/10 · 28 December 2005]

This is one of the most terrifying films I've had the pleasure of seeing. From the Stinky Skunk clearly spawned in hell to the rest of the morally depraved cast, this is one film sure to damage children emotionally for generations to come.

It doesn't appear that the original script was even remotely close to what was eventually dubbed in. The original dialogue must not have really underscored the timeless conflict of Santa, Cinderella, Merlin, and Random Employees vs. the Giant Wooden Ogre the way the filmmakers originally intended.

The vulcanized rubber tires on Cinderella's carriage are a profound reminder that the themes in the story continue to challenge us in the modern world, and the rail that keeps the malnourished reindeer from pulling Santa off the cement path is a magical homage to those glorious Victorian Christmases of old.

I recommend this film to anyone that may have any dangerous delusions that the "friendly" characters of his youth are benign and jolly creatures that serve to enrich our lives. Don't throw that at me, Merlin.

The creepiest Christmas short I've ever seen

[damiend-1 · 7/10 · 17 December 2005]

I watched this late one night after seeing it listed in the "Something Weird" section of On Demand. This was supposed to be a kid's Christmas short. It was just plain BIZARRE. It was a combination of costumed characters I remember from my childhood, low budget horror soundtrack, and Blair Witch camera work. I LMAO and got creep-ed out all at the same time. What more could you ask for? If you grew up thinking Walt Disney was the best thing going, leave this one alone. If, like myself, you think John Waters is a film genius you MUST see this. I swear there were clips of this in "A Dirty Shame". I'm still not quite sure why the Easter Bunny lives in Santa's Kingdom..

#1 Christmas Movie of All Time

[pres-speed · 10/10 · 17 May 2006]

My words cannot do this movie justice. Santa's Magic Kingdom (or "Santaland," as its true fans call it) stands alone as a cinematic triumph, needing neither a Hollywood budget nor smooth editing to achieve immortality.

You may recall a Simpsons episode, where Principal Skinner plays a low-budget Christmas film for students titled "The Christmas that Almost Wasn't, but Then Was." That video, without question, was inserted to pay homage to this K. Gordan Murray masterpiece.

As with that film short, "Santaland" introduces us to several characters that you might not typically associate with Christmas. Mr. Ferocious Wolf, the Easter Bunny, Puss'n Boots, Cinderella, and Merlin (the greatest magician of them all!) all make appearances. The wonders of Merlin's dazzling magical capabilities are put on display from the get-go, when he pulls a magic handkerchief out of his sleeve and takes us on an enchanting tour of the village through the Fifth Dimension.

Like any film worth its salt, a compelling conflict grips the viewer shortly after the magical tour. A very frightening ogre approaches the village, threatening to destroy Santa and ALL of his many villages. This ogre expresses his anger with Mister Santa "For making children good, when I want them to be BAD, like ME!" Thankfully for us, Puss'n Boots takes matters into his own hands and gathers not only Santa's helpers and friends, but all of the children over all of the world, forging an army to engage the ogre in bloody battle. Santa is touched that the world's children are prepared to die to preserve one of his many villages, but instead enlists the services of Merlin (the greatest magician of them all!) to dispense of the wooden antagonist.

A very cocky Merlin (the greatest magician of them all!) accepts his mission, as he has "just the medicine that ogre needs." The nature of this medicine is unclear (presumably a liquid or powder) but its effectiveness is quite apparent. Soon after Merlin (the greatest magician of them all!) leaves to engage the monster, we can hear the screams of "No Merlin, don't throw that at me! NOOO!!" Unscathed and victorious, Merlin (the greatest etc.) struts back into the village to the cheers and jubilation of Santa and his helpers. You can imagine how his night went… let's just say he didn't need to open a bottle of Love Potion #9.

In closing, we are serenaded by Cinderella to the tune of "Give a Little Whistle," her voice angelic. Viewer beware, this infectious little tune is likely to get stuck in your head, so listen with caution.

What else can be said, Santaland has it all! Whether you're looking for inert villains made of wood, a self-professed "greatest magician of them all" whose magic is limited to bizarre tours of Santaland, creepy non-Christmas-related characters in crappy costumes, or even a mall Santa who looks like he's been dead for 30 years, this film has it! The only way to top this movie would be to follow it up with a giant slice of cyanide cake.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1645509695606665563 - Santaland meets We are the World - a musical tribute.

The best way to terrify young children.

[plezica · 16 December 2003]

I found this short movie to be rather amusing. It all started when I purchased a weird looking tape labelled "Rudolph" at Value Village for a couple of dollars. The first half of the tape was cartoons and such but at the end of the tape, I found the hidden secret of Santa's Magic Kingdom. Immediately after watching it my chest grew painful from laughing. This film also has a creepy touch to it though. This is supposed to be a childrens movie but all I see is a low budget film based upon a weird village out in the middle of nowhere, filled with horribly dressed christmas characters and some with no relation to any aspect of christmas at all. The zero dollar budget effects and eerie soundtrack really add to the "what the hell am I watching" factor. This film is a must see but only because you have no idea what you're missing if you don't.

The Ogre attacks Santa's Magic Kingdom

[CharCharpi · 10/10 · 8 May 2011]

I have seen this film many times and it never ceases to amaze me. It is an epic fantasy-adventure that is truly unforgettable! This film opens with scenes from various parts of Santa's Magic Kingdome where we are introduced to Santa's Elves, the Easter Bunny and other citizens of the Kingdom. We learn about what they do, how they live and what part of the Kingdom they live in.

Unfortunately, the Kingdom is about to be attacked by an Ogre who has almost unlimited power. It is up to Santa Claus and the citizens of Santa's Magic Kingdom to defeat the Ogre. Can they do it? Watch and see! I like the way this movie keeps you in suspense until the very end as Santa and the citizen's of his Kingdom attempt the seemingly impossible task of fighting the Ogre. It is truly a classic David-and-Goliath type of story.

A Family Tradition: Unintentionally Hilarious Christmas Classic

[Brantford_Mark · 10/10 · 24 December 2020]

Santa's Magic Kingdom is a 13 minute short film from 1964 that my family and I have been watching every Christmas since 1987. VHS tape was fairly new technology back then and my Mom gave us one for the kids to enjoy. We watched it with Grandma and tears were rolling down cheeks we laughed so hard! Still cracks me up to this day and each new generation seems to enjoy it as we premiere this classic for them. Not intended as a comedy, this is the most ambitious of K. Gordon Murray's famously awful Christmas trilogy. An expanded cast including Merlin, a menacing guy in a wolf suit, the Easter Bunny and of course Santa and his elves make this the pinnacle of his film career. There are even musical interludes with sincere elves singing their hearts out. He had some tax troubles in the 1970's and lost the copyright, so it's in the public domain. Go to the Internet Archive and you can legally download it if you wish. Enjoy!