The Christmas that Almost Wasn't

[The Burgomaster]

I recently bought this DVD and watched it today. It is an Italian movie made in the 1960s aimed at very young kids. When I was between the ages of about 5 and 8 years old in the late 1960s and early 70s, it used to show up in theaters every December. I remember seeing it in the theater and thinking that it was great.

I STILL think it's great . . . but only because it is so BAD. It would make an excellent triple feature with SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS and the Mexican SANTA CLAUS movie.

Here are a few highlights:

* Rossano Brazzi directed it, and also co-stars as the evil Mr. Prune (or "Prugna," in Italian), who is trying to ruin Christmas.

* They used EXTREMELY obvious miniature models to represent the houses and buildings in the town where it takes place.

* Santa's home/workshop consists of 2 small rooms.

* The exterior shots of Santa's home were obviously filmed on a soundstage with fake snow all over the place.

* Santa has 7 elves, who all look like Munchkins who escaped from the Land of Oz.

* Santa's sleigh and reindeers are miniature mechanical toys, and you can CLEARLY see the wires holding them up when the sleigh is flying through the air.

* The beginning and end credits on the DVD are in Italian.

What are some other classic BAD holiday movies?



Post Edited (10-11-03 19:50)

[Scott]

Pee Wee Hermans Christmas special with guest star Grace Jones. She sang the best "little drummer boy" I had ever seen and heard.