Product Details

• Actors: Angela Lansbury, Michael Jeter, Terrence Mann, Lynsey Bartilson, Bryan Murray
• Directors: Terry Hughes
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hallmark
• VHS Release Date: August 20, 2002
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1574924451
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,284 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #16 in	Video > Music Video & Concerts > Other Music > Christmas
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Much closer to Hello, Dolly! than your usual Christmas special, Mrs. Santa Claus joins two distinct genres: holiday family fare and the Broadway musical. This song-studded extravaganza was especially designed for TV by Broadway legend Jerry Herman, whose songs are just as incorrigibly catchy on the small screen as they are on the stage. Herman uses one of his favorite leading ladies from the theater, Angela Lansbury, in a tale of Santa's "invisible wife," who takes the reindeer off for an impulsive week-long adventure in New York City. Unexpectedly becoming a suffragette and labor organizer (it's set in the early 20th century), Mrs. Claus twinkles merrily at all who cross her path. This is a problem, dramatically speaking, because what's compelling about someone who twinkles all the time? The costumes are by Bob Mackie (duh), the choreography by Chicago director Rob Marshall. And just try to get the melodies out of your head. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR THE MRS, December 23, 2001

By	"swingoutsisterguy" (New Castle, DE USA) - See all my reviews

As we grow up we always hear about how great Santa Claus is. Keep in mind, I am not knocking the greatness of Santa, but it is always a wonder who the heck was Mrs Santa Claus? Now we know the woman behind the man.
I could not have thought of a better woman to play the part than Angela Lansbury. The former Queen of Broadway and the former J.B. Fletcher tells a beautiful story of how it is about time for the "...World to know there's a Mrs. Santa Claus".
The costumes in the movie were wonderfully fitting for the times and season; and yet not over the top. The two outfits designed by Emmy Award Nominee (for best Costumes) Bob Mackie that made Angela shine even brighter were the Policeman's ball gown and the "sleigh ride" outfit at the end of the film.
I thought the dancing was done superbly. It has been a long time since we, the public, have seen dancing in a made for t.v. movie. It is nice to revisit such an old friend.
The story about the Mrs wanting more attention, and the story of women's rights in the world of men, seem to have blended nicely. Most people would say that it is not the right time to discuss such problems at the most wonderful time of the year. I say the timing is correct and needed to help understand Anna's quest for more attention. Anna also proves that she is more than just "the shadow behind the great man". She proves to herself and the world that she does have some worth.
Charles Durning was delightful as Santa but slightly stiff. Terrance Mann was excellent as the "grinch" of Christmas. Overall the cast was 4 stars (out of 5).
The story was good; I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5. The costumes were 5 stars as was Angela Lansbury. The songs were cute and nicely done (4 out of 5 stars). But overall, it was 5 stars. I am slightly biased because I am a very BIG Angela Lansbury fan.
Angela makes for a wonderful Mrs Santa Claus that I cannot think of anyone else to have played Anna Claus. I am sure she was happy to get back to singing. Her voice still is strong even at 71.
This is one movie which should be played every Christmas. It is a Christmas standard to me and my family. I recommend it to anyone who loves Christmas.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars toe-tapping musical treat, April 26, 2001

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

MRS SANTA CLAUS is a delightful new musical starring one of Broadway's "Grande Dames", Angela Lansbury!

Mrs Santa Claus (Angela Lansbury) is tired "of being the shadow behind the great man" and takes the reindeer, three days before Christmas, on a little spin around the world. Poor reindeer Cupid hurts his leg and she has to make an emergency stop in downtown New York (circa 1900's).

There she stays in "Avenue A", filled with colorful characters like stable boy Marcello (David Norona), feisty Sadie (Debra Wiseman) and Irish urchin Nora (Lynsey Bartilson). While in New York she endears herself to the wonderful residents as Mrs North.

The Jerry Herman-penned songs are the tops with "We Don't Go Together", "Whistle", "He Needs Me", "Mrs Santa Claus" and many more.

Fantastic costumes by the always-dependable Bob Mackie and game support by Michael Jeter, Terrence Mann and Charles Durning all add fun to the proceedings.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Mrs. Clause's Turn!, May 27, 2002

By A Customer

Angela Lansbury brings her own unique magic from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" and her beautiful singing voice from "Beauty and the Beast" to the holiday favorite "Mrs. Santa Claus". This movie is a wonderful Winter treat that can be watched by everyone! either young or old or whatever holiday you celebrate during the Winter holidays. This movie incorpatates it all into one.
Mrs. Anna Claus and the elves have finshed the toy packing early and Mrs. Claus realizes she has time to try a new route she has made for Santa, because he is too busy reading letters to notice her. But her plans quickly change when bad weather causes her to make an emergency landing in New York only to find that Cupid has damaged his leg. When she meets a stable owner named Marcello, he tells her that Cupid will need a week to recover. But Christmas eve is in one a week!
Mrs. Claus decides it wise to choose a new name while in New York and that name is Mrs. North.
Mrs. Claus (a.k.a Mrs. North) soon gets comfortable and starts meeting people all around town including Sadie Lowenstein; a young girl willing to fight for the right to vote in the free country of America, and her mother Mrs. Lowenstein; who says that "For free they'll throw us out of it!" Mrs. North also meets the girl Nora Kilkenny and her nasty employer Mr. Tavish who has children make toys that fall apart by Christmas. With a little work and friendship, Mrs. Clause can help Nora stand up to Mr. Tavish, help Mrs. Lowenstein realize she is in no danger in America, assist Sadie in her struggle for the rights of women, and even play matchmaker by getting Sadie and her admirer, Marcello, together. But she must also make it back to the North Pole before Christmas eve or there will be no Christmas! This movie takes place in 1910 and the set designers and costume directors have done a beautiful job. The musical numbers are just as wonderful. You'll want to jump up and dance to "Avenue A", you'll want to sing with Angela as she sings "Almost Young", you'll want to whistle while Mrs. North and Nora sing "Whistle", and you'll fell like a stroll through the park when you hear "We don't Go Together at All". The movie has wonderful actors and a captivating plot. Nobody could play Mrs. Clause better than Angela Lansbury. If you enjoy it I'd also recommend "Hello, Dolly!" starring Barbra Streisand.
So sit back and enjoy the wonderful antics and adventures of "Mrs. Santa Claus"!