Does anyone out there remember "Mystery Science Theater?" Well, on several Christmas Eves, they used to run this 1959 Mexican film that, during my Sixties childhood, was, thanks to schlock producer K. Gordon Murray, put into theaters, for Saturday and Sunday matinees, during the Christmas Season. Now, my parents were not nearly what you could call critics, but this film was so trashy, even they forbade me to see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, when it turned up on MST, one year, at my sister's, we recorded it for posterity! And thus a tradition was born! Each December 24, we watch this cheesy piece of Christmas crap, that, in spite of everything, stays in one's memory!
For starters, it has some of the most stylized sets, this side of Georges Melies!!!!!!!!
I mean, just look at this style, and art direction! I can't believe anyone connected to this film would have even known who Melies was, but it looks like, from this shot, alone, the creative staff seems to be channeling him.
This also has, for my money, the most flamboyant, gayest Devil, ever seen
on film!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about evil fairies! This Satan brings new meaning to the word Flamer! You have got to see it, to believe it, darlings! Not to mention the little Mexican girl, Lupita, seen above, but who looks less Mexican than a child direct from Central Casting in Hollywood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is rather slow moving, but its visual tricks and campiness are too good to pass up! For a very different Christmas treat, and a rather nice antidote to something, like, "It's A Wonderful Life," I cannot recommend K. Gordon Murray's "Santa Claus" enough!
But don't believe me, darlings! Take a look at this trailer!
After seeing this, you will sure to put this on your Christmas list!
Goes great with eggnog, dolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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