Chi sono? Babbo Natale?

The afternoon TV schedules seem to clog up from mid-November on with usually made- for-TV Christmas movies. This one I found a pleasant enough watch, even if Leslie Nielsen in switching from an airplane to a sleigh, isn't the first person I'd think of to play Santa Clause. The story's formulaic enough, with an orphan kid growing up to be a festive curmudgeon, even in his day job as a roving TV reporter on the look out for happy, "and we end tonight with..." stories. Because Santa apparently ignored his childhood letter asking him for a family, he won't commit to his pretty co-worker single-parent girl-friend and her young son.

However when old Santa falls out of his sleigh right on top of his car, gaining amnesia in the process, from there you can pretty much predict the minor twists and turns in the plot before the expected happy ending shows up. There's a sub-plot of a fairly eccentric bunch of elves trying to track down their boss in time for the Christmas deliveries, but the main fun is how humbug Peter re-connects with his inner child and in so doing makes things right in his private life.

The lead boy and girl are nice enough in their lovey-dovey parts and even the kid playing the young son holds back the sentimental-come-smart-aleck routine so commonplace with child actors in films like this. Neilson tries reasonably hard but with little in the way of comedic lines to deliver, comes across almost anonymously, especially hidden under a bulked up Santa costume and of course snow-white beard. You almost think it's a contract stipulation when he loses his beard for a time late on just so you can see it's really him.

The effects are okay and there are lots of nice Christmas decorations in the background to push home the festive feel-good factor.

Like I said, the film was pleasant, undemanding seasonal entertainment. Half way through there's a mini roll-call of Christmas classics like "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street". "Santa Who" is well below the quality of those two evergreens, but its heart is in the right place and from where I was sitting filled up this particular spot in the schedule well enough.

Leslie Neilson is wonderful as usual and Max Morrow is very charismatic and great chemistry between the two. A very enjoyable movie. Lots of laughs for the whole family.

Fairly good Christmas yarn in which S.C. has an accident which robs the old boy of his memory. He is aided in his recovery by a cynical newsman, a starry eyed little boy, and a cadre of dedicated elves intent on not seeing Christmas go down the tubes. Kids would probably go for this more than I did.

This is a heart-warming Christmas movie for the entire family. Leslie Nielsen is terrific as Santa Claus. He is both engaging and benevolent as the jolly St. Nicholas. Tommy Davidson steals the scenes as the task-master elf...some of the best scenes in the movie. The movie itself is colorful and fun to watch. A charming spin on Christmas with an amnesiac Santa. The story is simple and predictable, but still is a joy to watch from beginning to end. Take my advice and set your clock back to eight years old, and just settle in on a cold winter's day and watch this movie...it will bring the spirit of Christmas back to you. Thumbs up!

Leslie Nielsen was the best part of the movie! He was perfect as Santa, better than in "All I want for Christmas," albeit that was more a cameo role. He played an amnesiac Santa with just the right amount of confusion and sympathy. The part where he (re)learned the Christmas Carols was one of the most original parts. Overall a very enjoyable holiday movie.