JoeKarlosi I'm considering this Italian film as a "first viewing," but this may have been one of the very first movies I ever saw in a theater when I was 4, I can't recall exactly. I know I definitely remember as a child seeing a rather grim TV commercial for it where a sad and solemn Santa Claus says: "Christmas isn't coming this year", and it stuck with me ever since. I've been meaning to track it down for years and I finally did, better late than never.When I was a kid there was a fun TV show called "Birthday House", and its host was Paul Tripp. Well, Tripp wrote the screenplay for this film and stars in it as a good-spirited and kindly man who gets a visit from Santa Claus himself (Alberto Rabagliati) one year. Poor Santa's heartbroken because his mean landlord up at the North Pole (Rossano Brazzi - who also directed) is a tightwad who wants his back rent by Christmas Eve, otherwise Santa will get evicted and have to cancel Christmas. Since Santa doesn't have the money, he and Tripp get jobs to try and raise the cash (since Paul Tripp's profession in the film is a lawyer I don't understand that, but whatever). But it's also up to the kids to help Santa out for a change, as old St. Nick gets back some generosity himself this time.This movie's got a pretty unflattering reputation. First off, it plays a little strange (well, to U.S. audiences, I mean) because this is an Italian production with sometimes plastic-looking effects, and dubbed into English. There are also pot shots taken against the actors, but I thought the cast was pretty well chosen... Paul Tripp makes for a really likable leading do-gooder, and Rabagliati as Santa Claus looks the part. Yet it's director Brazzi who steals the show as a really villainous ogre who hates Christmas and despises all children (we eventually learn why, in an ending that's actually pretty touching). This isn't a good film, but I found it had enough holiday spirit to probably merit repeat viewings every year. It's also a musical, meaning there a quite a few songs, only a couple of which are somewhat memorable. **1/2 out of ****

dancing15bear I remember the commercial for this movie more than I do the film itself! It featured the line where Rossanno Brazzi would bellow, "Merry Christmas I don't think!!" It was very scary for someone just starting school! The commercials would show up each December on the Birthday House show with Paul Tripp. The movie would run as a matinée at local theaters, and I remember the place being pretty crowded. My sisters and I dragged our poor mother out to see it for a few years running. I guess it was great marketing. It must all be pretty arcane, because every now and then I'll quote the bellow, and no one seems to know what I'm referring to.

OnceUponATimeInTheWest Santa says... (from the film)"Christmas isn't coming this year". I heard this line over and over in the endless commercials promoting it back when this film was released in the 60s. Of course back then I had to see it and I did in the cinema. Back in the day when going to the movies was an event. Remember no video or dvd back then! I just ordered it on dvd. I am sure I will not be disappointed I don't remember much about it but it should at least be interesting,taking yet another trip down nostalgia lane

janine-5 I have been watching this movie since I was a little girl, It has become a family tradition in our home.My kids enjoy it as much now as I did then. This is definitly a family Christmas movie you shouldn't miss if you get a chance to see it. Shows the values of love, respect, and helping others,along with having some great music and lots of fun. And at the end you realy end up liking the bad guy. A must see...