The Santa Trap (2002) (TV)

Director:

John Shepphird

Writers:

Steve Jankowski (writer)
John Shepphird (writer)

Release Date:

13 December 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

A blunder has landed Santa in the slammer. Can the family who put him there spring him in time to save Christmas?

Plot:

A community has mixed feelings over Santa's permanent residence in their small town.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas

Cast

Shelley Long	...	Molly Emerson
Robert Hays	...	Bill Emerson
Stacy Keach	...	Max Hurst
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Homeless Woman
Alana Austin	...	Carla
Sierra Abel	...	Judy Emerson
Brandon de Paul	...	Mike Emerson
Sonny Carl Davis	...	Officer Bobby Buckley
Martin Klebba	...	Elf Ranger One
Steve Monroe	...	Officer Calhoun
Paul Butcher	...	Brian Spivak
Corbin Bernsen	...	Chief Tom Spivak
Dick Van Patten	...	Santa Claus
Talbot Perry Simons	...	Clifford (as Woolf Simovitch)
Cork Hubbert	...	Elf One

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

La Quinta, California, USA

Company:

Tag Entertainment

Goofs:

While sneaking through JFK hospital, the Emersons pass in front of an x-ray view box. Four of the eight chest x-ray films are hung sideways.

Not all that great, but my kids seemed to like it

I am writing the second review of this movie, but only because the first reviewer recommended it for "all ages of children." Well, perhaps that's not correct. First, there is some mild language (one character says "what the hell", there may be other examples, but that actually may be all) and there are some parts where one character is calling another stupid and showing disrespect. Neither of these are horrible, but it's better to be aware that the movie has this so that you can avoid it, if desired, or make a point of discussing it with your kids. Actually, I'm no prude who never cusses, but my kids aren't old enough to judge who/what/when/where, yet, so I like to avoid it (or at least an overabundance of it). Overall, this movie was not too bad in that department. One of the main things parents of young kids will want to know is that it "outs" the Santa Claus myth in a big way. But since Santa is "trapped" and does turn out to be real in the movie, then there's also a way out of the predicament. This movie is OK for the kids, assuming the other issues don't make you overly concerned, but it's not fare that too many adults are going to watch more than once.