The Santa Clause – Trivia bits and Easter Eggs in the Tim Allen Movie
The Santa Clause, starring Tim Allen, was released in 1994 to generally good reviews and has since become a Christmas classic! The film garnished two sequels, The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause which came out in 2006. Each was a financial success but didn’t live up to the original according to critics.
The movie is packed with quotable lines and memorable moments, however, there are some hidden items inserted into this Christmas movie classic as well! This made for a movie that is ripe for those that love cinematic trivia. The hidden items are commonly called “Easter Eggs” by movie lovers – referring to a neat thing hidden in plain sight… like a colored Easter egg.
But, before we get to the Easter Eggs… let’s touch on some fun trivia related to the Santa Clause franchise.
- The leading role (Scott Calvin) played by Tim Allen was written with Bill Murray in mind for the lead role according to reports. Murray declined the offer, later saying it did not fit his humor.
- Charlie, Scott Calvin’s son, was played by Eric Loyd who filmed the first movie with quickly placed fake teeth. The young actor had a few teeth knocked out just before shooting began.
- The original film was made mostly in Canada instead of Chicago, and was filmed during the summer instead of the winter.
- The first film in the series did not have a villain. The second two did.
- Legendary actor Peter Boyle appeared in all three films – but played two different roles. He was Scott Calvin’s boss in the first film but took the role of Father Time in the two sequels.
And now for some hidden Easter Eggs that are contained in the Santa Clause.
- Many people have noticed the elves that appear at the end of the movie dressed as neighborhood children. They watch as Santa (Scott Calvin) launches his sleigh from a rooftop while neighbors and police watch.
In fact, the movie is packed with hidden elves! One is in Charlie’s class during Show and Tell, an elf is at Denny’s when Scott and Charlie are dining out, another elf can be seen walking by during Charlie’s soccer game… and there are more throughout the original film!
- The director, John Pasquin, originally was semi-reluctant to do the picture. But, during shooting must have realized a classic was in the making. He hid in plain sight as an extra. He’s subject “Santa No. 6” in the police line-up.
- There is a shout out to Allen’s TV series Home Improvement. After putting the turkey fire out in the kitchen, Allen – as Scott – states in the voice of his ‘Tim – the Tool Man Taylor’ character says, “And that’s why it’s important to have a high-quality fire extinguisher right in the kitchen.”
- When Charlie and Scott sail past the moon in Santa’s sleigh, the moon in the background features a silhouette of Mickey Mouse.
- When Scott and Charlie land at the Noth Pole for the first time, an elf appears from behind a snowbank and enters a code to allow entry. That code is “1239” which is the same date that Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer was created – December 1939 or 12/39.
The are many more fun trivia bits available for the Santa Clause and its two sequels. But, watching for hidden elves in the original movie should keep you busy for a while!
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