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poster of Christmas Evil
Rating: 5.5/10 by 163 users

Christmas Evil (1980)

Garbed in his red suit, Harry, a toy factory worker, decides that the only thing he can do to save the spirit of Christmas is to become Santa Claus himself and make all of the naughty townspeople pay... in blood!

Directing:
  • Lewis Jackson
Writing:
  • Lewis Jackson
Stars:
Release Date: Sat, Nov 01, 1980

Rating: 5.5/10 by 163 users

Alternative Title:
Terror in Toyland - US
You Better Watch Out - US
Böse Weihnacht - DE
Xmas Evil - NL

Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 34 minutes
Budget: $750,000
Revenue: $0

Plot Keyword: santa claus, hospital, church, killer, killing spree, peeping tom, killer santa claus, christmas horror, toy factory, christmas, delusional
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Brandon Maggart
Harry Stadling
Jeffrey DeMunn
Philip Stadling
Dianne Hull
Jackie Stadling
Andy Fenwick
Dennis Stadling
Brian Neville
Marc Stadling
Joe Jamrog
Frank Stoller
Wally Moran
Philip Stadling Jr.
Gus Salud
Harry Stadling Jr.
Ellen McElduff
Harry's Mother
Brian Hartigan
Harry's Father
Peter Neuman
Moss Garcia
Lance Holcomb
Scotty Goodrich
Elizabeth Ridge
Susie Lovett
Chris Browning
Richie Sharp
Scott McKay
Mr. Fletcher
Burt Kleiner
Sol Wiseman
Francine Dumont
Mrs. Fletcher
Pamela Enz
Mrs. Grosch
Philip Casnoff
Ricardo Bauma
Danny Federici
Accordian Player
Arthur Bressler
Saxophone Player
Raymond J. Barry
Detective Gleason
Sam Gray
Inspector Grella
Robert Lesser
Detective Gottleib
Joan Jonas
Older Woman
Nancy Clark
Female Witness
Jim Gagan
Santa #1
Hy Mencher
Older Man
Marian Vitale
Mrs. Stoller

CinemaSerf

So I started the evening at Sadler's Wells watching Sir Matthew Bourne's adaptation of "Edward Scissorhands" and my friend decided to reciprocate my hospitality by taking me to a (very) late night screening of this - which is apparently John Waters' pick of Christmas films. Well, talk about sublime to ridiculous. It's all about the psychologically scarred "Harry" who has never been able to get grips with there not actually being a "Santa". Sorry, if I've just let the cat out of the sack for you. Anyway, as an adult he (Brandon Maggart) has become a toy maker of some skill and distinction but the thing is, the sprogs for whom he makes these toys are becoming less and less appreciative. The tension mounts, he snaps - and soon nobody is safe from his vengeful - sometimes pretty suitable - wrath. Now, yes - I thought it was dreadful, but it does have a rather sound message to it. The throwaway culture is in it's sights, but so is the sense that Christmas can be a lonely time for people; that many take all the celebrations for granted and that, frankly, it's got very little nowadays to do with frankincense and myrrh (gold, well...). It's one of those films that knowing a lot about it and Maggart beforehand might improve it's standing, but I went in cold and I came out bemused, just a bit bored and wondering if it wasn't just as guilty of capitalising on Christmas cynicism as much of it's plot?


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