Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) Movie Script
1
Today, children
everywhere are making preparations
for an event of
world-shaking significance,
the annual visit
of Santa Claus.
Informed sources report
legions of junior citizens
are making monumental efforts
not to cry and not to pout.
Meanwhile,
letters by the thousands
have been flooding postal
facilities at the North Pole.
Doggone thing always
conks out when you...
Well, hello there.
Uh, my name's
Special Delivery Kluger.
SD for short.
Oh, I've got lots of letters
for Santa today.
And every year,
they're the same.
Some ask for toys,
but a lot ask questions.
Like, you take this one.
I bet one of you wrote it.
I thought so. And this one.
My turn.
Dear Santa, why do you come
down the chimney when I'm asleep?
How about these?
Why do you have whiskers?
Why do you live
at the North Pole?
Why do you leave presents?
Why do you always
come on Christmas Eve?
Why do some people
call you Kris Kringle?
Why? Why?
Now, hold on, hold on.
I can answer
all your questions
because I know everything
about Santa.
Now, Santa is a busy man.
He has no time to wait.
He's got millions and
millions of stockings
to fill on Christmas Day.
So you better write
your letter now
and mail it right away.
Because he's getting ready
with his reindeers
and his sleigh.
So you better watch out.
You better not cry
you better not pout
I'm telling you why.
So you want to know
all about Santa, huh?
Best place to start
is at the very beginning,
when Santa was just
a little baby.
You mean Santa was once.
A baby?
Of course!
Everybody's got to be a baby
at least once in their lives.
Now, this was years
and years ago.
Oh, way back.
In one of the northern countries, there
was a small city called Sombertown.
It was a cold, cold place
which shivered in the shadows
of the strange Mountain
of the Whispering Winds.
Now the main reason
for all this gloom
was the mayor.
A mean old grouch of a fellow
who was known as
Burgermeister Meisterburger.
Herr Burgermeister,
Herr Burgermeister,
look what was discovered
on your front stoop.
What? What, Grimsley?
The milk? The daily paper?
No, sir. A baby!
Oh, is that all?
A baby?
And there's a note.
"Please, sir,
take care of my child,
"and protect him
from the dangers
"of the Mountain
of the Whispering Winds.
"He will be exceptional if
only given the love he needs."
I,
Burgermeister Meisterburger,
take care of a baby?
Outrageous.
What's its name?
This is the only clue, sir.
It says, "Claus."
Go, take the little, uh,
baggage to the orphan asylum.
That's the proper place
for foundlings, anyway.
Get the brat out of here.
Oh! The sleigh!
It broke away.
Oh, my goodness... Uh...
Where are you, baby Claus?
Oh, do come back. Come back!
Well, that strange wind
blew the little sleigh right up to the
Mountain of the Whispering Winds.
Well, you see, that mountain
was the home of the awful,
the terrible... Oh,
I hate to even say his name.
That mountain
was the home of the.
Winter Warlock.
The strange hermit
of the North
who lived alone
in a ghostly palace of ice,
practicing his strange spells
and snowy incantations.
But the animals knew they
had to hide that baby, and fast.
They knew
where that baby belonged.
So, quick as they could,
they started on their way.
Where? Where?
Well, you see,
just beyond the mountain
was Rainbow River Valley,
and there, by a bend
in the magical stream,
was the home of a jolly family
of little people.
Elves, you might call them.
Kringle was their name.
The door was answered
by an Elf name Dingle.
Dingle Kringle, to be precise.
Yes, who's there?
There's who?
Wiggle my ears
and tickle my toes,
methinks I see a baby's nose.
It's more than a nose,
there's a whole baby
attached to it.
Better call my brothers.
Wingle, Bingle,
Tingle, Zingle.
What is it, Dingle?
It's a baby, Zingle.
A baby what, Wingle?
A baby baby, Tingle.
I like babies, Bingle.
Our baby is the best baby
of them all, Wingle.
They brought the
little fella to the elf queen,
Tanta Kringle.
A baby!
What a splendid idea.
He shall live with us
and sleep with us,
and drink warm cocoa with us.
What will we call him,
Tanta Kringle?
His license says, "Claus."
Unusual name.
However,
we shall call him Kris.
Kris Kringle!
Well those little Kringles
took that baby to their hearts.
Soon as he was old enough,
they set up a little school
and taught him
all the important things.
How to read,
and write, and talk,
and count stars
on a crystal night.
And how to make toys.
Make toys?
Oh, sure!
That was the Kringles'
main occupation.
They were toymakers.
The only problem was there
were no children to give them to.
Remember, Sombertown was
on the other side of the
Mountain of the Whispering Winds.
And the little elves Just couldn't
make it past the Winter Warlock.
So...
The toys kind of
stacked up some.
It's really quite sad.
We will never be able to transport
our toys over the mountain.
Someday
when I'm bigger,
I'll take them for you,
Tanta Kringle.
That will be the day.
We will be great toymakers
again, as we once were.
When was that, Tanta?
Oh, years and years ago.
The Kringles were
world-renowned,
for you know, we were the very
first royal toymakers.
The first toymakers
to the king.
It's
a difficult responsibility.
When you accept an
appointment from His Majesty.
You must strive for just
the perfect quality.
When you're the first
toymaker to the king.
All the soldiers
must stand erect.
For the kingdom they protect.
The balls must bounce
much higher.
If they are to please
His Royal Sire.
The ballerinas
must pirouette.
Upon their musical toes.
And the clowns
must make a king forget.
All his kingly woes.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
When you accept an
appointment from His Majesty.
You must strive for just
the perfect quality.
When you're the first
toymaker to the king.
All the sailboats
must never sink.
And the dollies always blink.
The teddy bears be furry.
If they're to gain
his royal curry.
The jack-in-the-boxes
must always pop.
At every regal command.
And the kangaroos
must learn to hop.
Into the prince's hand.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
When you accept an
appointment from His Majesty.
You must strive for just
the perfect quality.
When you're
the first toymaker.
To the king.
So that's why he makes
such wonderful toys?
That's why. The Kringles
taught him everything they knew.
Of course,
Kris had other teachers,
the animals.
But the seals taught him
the most important things.
How to have fun, and...
How to laugh.
Real hard and wonderful,
like he meant it.
Well, years went by
and finally,
Kris was a fine young man.
I'm a man now, Tanta.
I can take those toys across the
Mountain of the Whispering Winds.
It would be nice if someone
played with our toys.
If only one of my dollies
could be held tight
by a little girl.
It's decided.
Tomorrow, I leave
for Sombertown.
Tanta Kringle,
uh, I was just packing.
Did I wake you up?
I was awake anyhow.
I made this for your trip.
A real Kringle suit!
So that's where
he got the red suit.
Yup.
And he's always worn one
just like I,
right to this day.
Well, Kris said goodbye
to all his friends,
elf and animal.
Just as night was falling,
Kris started to make his way
through the dismal forest
which lay at the foot
of the Warlock's mountain.
Hey!
What...
Why, you're a penguin!
Well, what is
a penguin doing here?
You're looking for a stick?
A branch. A log? Pole?
The North Pole? No?
The South Pole!
Well, little feller, that's on
the other end of the Earth.
You're just about as lost
as you could get.
You better travel with me.
You need someone
to take care of you.
Now, now, cut that out!
Come on, topper...
I'll call you Topper. Okay?
Come on.
This way, little feller.
Who nears my mountain?
Go back,
or you are doomed!
Come on, Topper!
I shall get him
when he returns.
He's got to cross my mountain
on the way home.
And then,
No more being the nice guy.
We made it, Topper.
And...
And look!
Sombertown.
Just sitting there
waiting for us
and our good Kringle toys.
That's what they thought.
But what they didn't realize
was at that very moment,
in the Sombertown City Hall...
His Honor,
Burgermeister Meisterburger.
Yes, as expected.
You've broken your funny bone.
What caused me
to trip, Grimsley?
This, sir.
A toy?
As I suspected.
I hate toys,
and toys hate me.
Either they are going
or I am going.
And I am certainly
not going, Grimsley.
I have a job for you to do.
Now take this down.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
That you accept from
the number-one lawmaker, me.
Have it known throughout
the land from sea to sea.
There'll be no more
toymakers to the king.
All the tin soldiers
melt them down.
Wash the face of every clown.
Each bouncing ball deflated.
No, I don't want
lo debate it.
The ballerinas who pirouette.
Arrest their musical toes.
Outlaw the dolls
and sink the boats.
They bring me only woes.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
That you accept from
the number-one lawmaker, me.
Have it known throughout
the land from sea to sea.
There'll be no more
toymakers to the king.
Every jack-in-the-box
be sealed.
Till my wounded pride
be healed.
Stuffed animals
un-stuff 'em.
When a child objects
rebuff him.
No more drummers
who rat-a-tat-tat.
No buglers
who root-a-toot-toot.
Don't let me see another toy.
Or you will feel my boot.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
That he extracts from
the number-one law keeper, me.
Be it known
throughout the land.
From sea to sea.
There'll be no more.
Toymakers.
To the king!
No holding back, now.
Give me all your toys
by order of the Burgermeister.
We'll never play again.
The townspeople didn't
know what to make of Kris.
Hi, there!
Nice day, friend.
Don't "hi" me.
Good morning, ma'am.
You ought to be ashamed
of yourself, young man,
wearing such
outlandish clothes.
Clothes?
Look, all I want to do
is give away these toys.
- Toys?
- Toys?
- Get him out of here!
- Help!
Get him out of here!
What did I say?
Well, what's going on here?
We're doing our chores.
Yeah, no more playing.
No playing, eh?
Are you, uh, washing out, uh,
stockings?
Uh-huh. It's one of
our daily duties.
Then we hang them
by the fireplace
so they dry overnight.
That's the only way
they judge you around here.
By how many chores you do and
how clean your stockings are.
Is that so?
Well, uh...
You don't have to look
so glum about it. Why?
I don't know,
I just don't like sour faces.
Now, I got some real nice
goodies for you.
But not if you look like this.
You'd better watch out.
Better not cry.
Better not pout.
Why?
I'm telling you why!
Yeah.
'Cause I came to town.
And look what I brought!
Toys!
Real toys.
Why, sure.
Compliments of the Kringles!
But what
about the Burgermeister?
What about him?
If he wants a toy,
he may have one.
I'll save him a big red yo-yo.
Come on, let's play.
- Yeah, come on.
- Wait!
You must not play with toys.
And, uh, who are you?
That's Miss Jessica,
our new schoolteacher.
Kris Kringle at your service,
Miss Jessica.
How dare you come here
in those ridiculous clothes
and make fun of me?
Clothes again?
I wasn't making...
And what do you mean
by giving the children toys?
Don't you know toys
are against the law?
What?
Yep, it's true.
Gee, that's kind
of a silly law.
If the Burgermeister saw you,
we would all be in great danger.
In danger from toys?
Why, that's the silliest thing
I ever heard.
Toys are frivolous,
impractical,
unproductive and...
What's that?
For you.
A china doll?
I always wanted one
when I was a little girl.
But my parents wouldn't...
Thank you. I... I mean...
Watch out for that dolly.
She's a hardened criminal,
I hear.
Well, maybe it is a silly law.
I... I mean...
Oh, what do you say you help
me hand out these presents, huh?
It's too big a job
for one oversized Kringle
and a little lost penguin.
Oh, what a good girl.
Oh, what a good boy.
What a big smile.
All because of a toy.
If you sit on my lap today.
A kiss a toy is the price
you'll pay.
When you tell
what you wish for.
In a whisper
be prepared to pay.
If you sit on my lap today.
A kiss a toy
is the price you'll pay.
When you sit
on my left knee.
Don't be stingy.
Be prepared to pay.
If whenever you take.
You give a little back.
Then whoever you love.
Whoever you love.
Will give
a little love back.
A little love back.
So give a little love.
So give a little love.
Get a little love back.
Get a little love back.
Don't you have a little love.
That you want to get back.
If you sit on his lap today.
A kiss a toy
is the price you'll pay.
When you sit
on his left knee.
Don't be stingy
be prepared to pay.
Now, if you sit
on my lap today.
A kiss a toy
is the price you'll pay.
A perfect day.
Everybody is glum.
I see all the little children
are playing with their toys.
Playing with their toys?
Stop, in the name of the law.
You brats are under arrest.
Take them away.
Don't arrest those children.
It was my fault.
I gave them the toys.
You? How dare you?
You are obviously a
non-conformist and a rebel!
Me? Rebel?
Arrest this man immediately.
For you.
A yo-yo?
I love yo-yos.
I used to be able to do
all kinds of tricks.
Wee!
Excuse me, sir,
but you're breaking
your own law.
- What? What are you saying?
- What?
Ooh, I have been bamboozled.
Arrest him. Arrest him!
Oh, look,
he climbs like a squirrel,
leaps like a deer,
and is as slippery as a seal.
After him!
He went into the woods.
We'll never find him in there.
Guess we lost them, Topper.
Uh, slow down now.
Whoo-wee!
Wonder where we are.
Hey!
Hey, let go!
Let go!
Mmm. Kris Kringle.
You've disturbed me
for the very last time.
Now I have you
and you'll never get away!
Look, uh, before you do me in,
would you tell your tree friends
to let me loose for a second?
You see, I...
I have something for you.
What is this?
A trick?
Oh, no, sir, Mr. Warlock.
Or may I call you Winter?
Mr. Warlock, if you please.
Oh. Well, I managed
to save one little toy.
And I'd like you to have it.
You...
You wish to give me a present?
A toy?
Yes, sir.
But nobody ever
gives mean old Warlock
a toy.
I'd like to start
a new custom.
If you just call off...
Wha... Wha...
Oh, oh, yeah, that.
Yes, of course.
But you mustn't mind
the tree monsters.
Their bark is worse
than their bite.
Their bark is worse
than their bite.
Hey, uh, Willie Willow,
Peter Pine,
release the Kringle.
And no tricks now.
Oh, oh, no, sir,
Mr. Warlock.
A choo-choo?
I've always wanted one.
What's that?
My icy heart...
It's melting.
Well, look, Mr. Warlock...
Please, please,
call me Winter.
Winter?
Oh, yes, yes.
Suddenly my whole
outlook has changed
from bad to good.
Great!
But will it last?
I really am a mean and despicable
creature at heart, you know?
It's so difficult
to really change.
Difficult?
Why, why, look here,
changing from bad to good
is as easy as
taking your first step.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
You never will get
where you're going.
If you never get up
on your feet.
Come on, there's a good
tailwind blowing.
A fast-walking man
is hard to beat.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
If you want
to change your direction.
If your time of life
is at hand.
Well, don't be the rule
be the exception.
A good way to start
is to stand.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
If I want
to change the reflection.
I see in the mirror
each morn.
Oh, you do?
You mean that it's just
my election?
Just that.
To vote for a chance
to be reborn
Whoo-hoo!
You put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you are walking
across the floor.
You put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you are walking
out the door.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you are walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
Well, there's...
There's all kinds of ways
we can help each other.
You can bring me
nice new toys,
and I can assist you
with my magic.
How?
I'll show you.
Gaze into
my magic crystal snowball.
Someone is looking for you.
Kris!
Kris!
- Jessica?
- Go to her, lad.
Only me, ma'am.
I thought I'd never
find you again.
I wanted to bring you these.
Letters and notes from
the children of Sombertown
asking for more toys.
You see, the Burgermeister
destroyed the ones you brought.
You tell those young 'uns
there'll be plenty of toys,
but only if
they behave themselves.
No crying or pouting, or...
Oh, I... I'll know.
I got ways of knowing.
My, uh, personal friend,
the Warlock taught me this.
This here. I can see
when they're sleeping
and I know when they're awake.
My goodness.
You know
if they're bad or good?
Uh-huh. So you tell them
to be good
for goodness' sake.
Oh, thank you, Kris.
For what?
For being so kind.
For just being you.
Golly!
Now, uh, about the toys,
I'll have to kind of
slip 'em in after dark
when the Burgermeister
is asleep.
So you tell all the boys and girls to
leave their doors unlocked tomorrow night.
Well, Kris went back to the
Kringles to get some more toys.
And what do you think
those crazy Kringles did?
Yes, sir, they all moved
in the whole winter,
lock, stock and toy box.
I guess they figured it made
sense to move the source of supply
close to the demand.
I'm crowded.
But...
But at least I'm loved.
Kris made a list of all the
children and the toys they wanted.
He checked it over once,
then checked it over twice.
He tried to figure out
just who was naughty
and who was nice.
Well, I guess
they're all pretty nice.
So he packed up,
and was off to Sombertown.
When Kris
was safe inside Sombertown,
he tried all the doors.
And if they were open,
he knew a child lived inside
who was expecting a toy.
This is outrageous.
Toys, toys everywhere!
What sort of criminal
is this Kringle?
Sneaking into houses by night.
I hereby decree
that all the town's doors
and windows
will be locked tight
against this prowler.
Well more and more letters
came for Kris from the children.
Jessica would gather them together
and then give them to the animals
who would deliver them.
And Kris, well, he just
couldn't turn anybody down.
But this time, he found
all the doors were locked.
Now, there was once special
toy he just had to deliver.
Susie, a tiny little girl
who was very, very sick
had asked Kris
for a toy Noah's Ark.
Kris just couldn't
disappoint her.
Topper? Shh.
What is it?
Do you have an idea?
How to get into the house?
But not through the door?
Up? The sky?
The moon!
The stars?
The chimney?
Go down the chimney...
Great ideal!
Well, here goes.
And that's how he
started going down chimneys.
Oh. Now I understand.
That's fun!
What a great job I've got.
Come on. There's a lot more
chimneys to explore tonight.
More toys
discovered by the hearth
and the mantelpieces.
Each house in Sombertown
will be searched before dawn.
If any more toys are found
by the fireplace,
they will be confiscated,
and the children
severely punished.
So be it!
But those letters
just kept right on coming.
Doggone, how can I get the
toys to 'em? They got to have toys.
Otherwise, their life will be
nothing but school and chores
and washing
their stockings, and...
Their stockings.
The stocking!
Take this to Jessica.
She'll know
what to tell the children.
Company, halt!
Search the premises.
If you find so much as one
marble or half a jack,
the house is under arrest.
Double time, hup!
We can't find anything here,
Burgermeister.
Good. Very good.
No toys.
Nothing but drying stockings.
As is proper.
About face.
Forward march.
Hup, hup, hup, hup, hup, hup!
Thank heaven
there were no toys.
And that's how he started
leaving presents in stockings.
More toys?
But how?
Blast it, on my...
I will do what I should have
done a long time ago.
I will set a trap
for that bothersome Kringle.
His next visit to Sombertown
will be his last.
Oh, no. I must warn Kris!
But she was too late.
Kris had already left
with his toys.
Oh, Mr. Warlock...
Winter, please.
You must help me stop Kris.
Please, use your magic.
Alas, I've been disenchanted.
I have no more powers.
I can't even do card tricks.
That's terrible!
What shall we do?
Nobody is going
to do anything.
You are all under arrest
for defying the law
and making toys.
And for being an accomplice
to public enemy number one,
Kris Kringle.
To the dungeon.
I tell you,
things didn't look good.
And meanwhile,
back in Sombertown...
Stop, you are under arrest.
Not me!
Wait.
Look!
What can I do?
You have me.
To the dungeon!
Children of Sombertown,
you will never, never play
again!
Well, sir, it looked like
Kris was finally beaten.
Herr Burgermeister, please!
You must set Kris
and the other Kringles free!
Set them free? Never.
I promise they will never
disturb you again.
What good are your promises?
Goodbye, good luck,
and good riddance.
My own town turned against me.
Well, my eyes are beginning to
open for the very first time
to what life
is really all about.
And I know just
where I belong.
With Kris, wherever he is.
Today is not the end.
It's only beginning.
All the little cares.
Picked along the way.
Suddenly have disappeared.
With yesterday.
Tossed above the fields.
And lost among the winds.
My world
is beginning today.
Oh, so many times.
Have I walked this way.
And never seen
the little things
I see today.
Never had my head.
So high above the clouds.
My world
is beginning today
I know
something's gonna happen.
But it's out of my hands.
Things are gonna
start snapping.
Without any plan.
All the little cares.
Picked along the way.
Suddenly have disappeared.
With yesterday.
Tossed above the fields.
And lost among the winds.
My world is beginning today.
My world.
Is beginning today.
Well, Jessica realized
the first thing she had lo do
was set Kris and the others free.
Mr. Warlock.
Jessica, Winter, please.
What are you doing here?
Trying to set you all free.
But I don't know how. Tsk.
If only you had
your magic powers back.
Alas,
I've nothing but a few
meager magical leftovers
here in my pockets.
A short-circuited wand,
useless.
A dried up magic potion,
powerless.
The tiny stubs
of 100 or so magic candles
and a few last handfuls
of magic feed corn. Just junk.
Oh, me.
Magic feed corn?
Well, it's of no use to us.
It can't dissolve
prison walls,
all it can do
is make reindeer fly.
Reindeer?
Fly?
Yes, yes.
Ridiculous, isn't it?
Later that night,
Jessica rounded up some of
Kris' reindeer friends.
They just had to take
one nibble of that corn,
and...
Whoo-wee! Look at them go!
I bet you know their names.
Dasher and Dancer.
And Prancer and Vixen.
And Comet and Cupid.
And Donner and Blitzter.
Yes, sir.
And don't forget...
No, that's another story.
Halt!
Stop, stop!
Let's go, Donner!
Let's go!
Onward, Vixen, onward!
Ha-ha! I still have
a little magic!
I'm not such
a loser after all.
And that's how
Santa's reindeer started to fly?
That's just the way
it happened.
We Meisterburgers shall hunt
them down throughout the land.
Those rebels will not have
one moment's peace
until they are captured again.
It's not even safe here.
The guards will all
be coming back.
We'll have to push on. I'll
go anywhere you say, Kris.
Like Robin Hood of old,
Kris suddenly found himself
called an outlaw.
Wanted dead or alive.
The terrible toymaker!
Kris Kringle.
Well, those posters are not
going to do them any good now.
Oh, Kris let me take
a good look at it.
Pretty grand, eh?
It's perfect.
Well, since I'm a Kringle,
I had to grow one
sooner or later.
So that's why
he has whiskers.
Ah, but you should not use
your Kringle name.
It's dangerous!
Not call myself Kringle?
What other name would suit me?
There is one.
You were wearing this
when we found you as a baby.
See what it says.
"Claus."
Claus?
Your real name.
You must use it now.
I knew it, I knew it!
That's where he got
his name from.
And it was that name
he asked Jessica to share.
It was that name Jessica
agreed to take
- as his wife.
- Jessica?
Oh, she became
Mrs. Santa Claus.
It was a lovely wedding.
Yes, sir.
They held it on Christmas Eve
and since
no town would welcome them,
they stood before the Lord
in the silent winter woods
and a grove of pine trees
was their cathedral.
They put all that pretty stuff
onto the pine trees
and then Kris and Jessica placed
their wedding gifts to each other
under the trees.
No church ever looked nicer.
Oh, please.
Let me have
just a little magic.
The very first
Christmas trees.
What better way.
To tell you.
How much you mean.
To me.
Than a token.
Of affection.
Placed beneath.
The Christmas tree.
The custom started
long, long ago
when first
the wise men three...
Gave gifts of love.
Of love.
To a newborn.
Baby.
But there was no rest for
our little group of outcasts.
Soon they were forced up
beyond the reaches of civilization,
up far past
the most northern city,
past where even
most animals lived.
Up to the North Pole.
This is it, people.
Ah, yes, this is it.
We'll build ourselves
a nice house.
Heck,
while we're at it, we'll
build ourselves a castle
and the best toy factory
in the world.
And that's just
what they did.
And in no time at all...
Santa's castle
and workshop!
Up at the North Pole.
Well, as soon as
the buildings were built,
they settled in and started
making toys in earnest.
Oh, they needed toys.
Because you see, despite
everything the Meisterburgers tried,
the legend of Kris Kringle,
or Claus as he now was known
just grew and grew.
And as the years went by,
animals delivered letters
by the thousands.
Oh, just look at this list.
Well, load up the sleigh.
Ah, this is the fourth trip
this month.
You see, he still had
to travel by night
because he was considered
an outlaw.
But when did they stop
calling him an outlaw?
Well, as time went by,
that changed.
You see, the Meisterburgers,
they kind of died off
and fell out of power.
And by and by,
the good people realized
how silly the Meisterburger
laws were.
Well, everybody had
a wonderful laugh
and then forgot all about him.
Yes, sir, the older he got,
the more famous he became.
And the more folks loved him.
He's very good,
isn't he?
Uh-huh. You bet.
Is that why
he's called Santa Claus?
That's why, honey,
that's why.
It turned into quite
a proposition.
I can hardly keep up
with the orders.
I'm afraid I'm going
to have to limit my journeys
to one a year.
But on which night
should I go out?
I wonder.
It wasn't
a hard decision to make.
They chose, of course,
the holiest night of the year,
the night of profound love
which was the perfect night
for giving.
Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve.
And that's how it all started.
How goes it, Mr. Warlock?
Winter, please.
I've got my magic power
working just fine.
I can cast up
a big freeze, yes, sir.
I think I can guarantee
a white Christmas.
Wonderful.
Then let's be off!
Away now!
And that is the story
of Santa Claus.
Gee, he's so wonderful.
Everybody must love him.
Well, most everybody.
Oh, he's not considered
an outlaw anymore.
But there still are some...
Meh! Bah! Humbug.
Christmas is a bother.
The noise, the crowds... I
really wish it were outlawed.
How can they talk
about Santa Claus
when there's so much
unhappiness in the world?
Poor, misguided folks.
They miss the whole point.
Lots of unhappiness?
Maybe so.
But doesn't Santa take a little
bit of that unhappiness away?
Doesn't the smile
on Christmas morning
scratch out a tear,
cried on a Saturday?
Not much, maybe.
But what would happen if
we all tried to be like Santa
and learned to give
as only he can give?
Of ourselves,
our talents,
our love, and our hearts.
Maybe if we could all learn
Santa's beautiful lesson,
maybe there would finally
be peace on Earth
and goodwill toward man.
Hey, it's getting late,
and I've got these letters
to deliver.
And you better be getting home,
too.
And remember,
behave yourselves.
"Cause Santa can still
look into his magic snowball,
and see just what
you're up to.
And now that you know
all about him,
you can be darn sure that
come snow or high water...
Santa Claus
is comin' to town.
You better watch out
you better not cry.
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
He's making a list
and checking it twice.
He's going to find out
who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
He sees you
when you're sleeping.
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've
been bad or good.
So be good
for goodness' sake.
Oh, you better watch out
you better not cry.
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
With little tin horns
and little toy dogs
Rooty toot toots
and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
And the curly-head dolls
that toddle and coo.
Elephants, boats
and kiddie cars, too
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
The kids in girl
and boy land.
Will have a jubilee.
They're going
to build a toy land town.
All around
the Christmas tree.
So you better watch out
you better not cry.
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
To town.
Merry Christmas!
Today, children
everywhere are making preparations
for an event of
world-shaking significance,
the annual visit
of Santa Claus.
Informed sources report
legions of junior citizens
are making monumental efforts
not to cry and not to pout.
Meanwhile,
letters by the thousands
have been flooding postal
facilities at the North Pole.
Doggone thing always
conks out when you...
Well, hello there.
Uh, my name's
Special Delivery Kluger.
SD for short.
Oh, I've got lots of letters
for Santa today.
And every year,
they're the same.
Some ask for toys,
but a lot ask questions.
Like, you take this one.
I bet one of you wrote it.
I thought so. And this one.
My turn.
Dear Santa, why do you come
down the chimney when I'm asleep?
How about these?
Why do you have whiskers?
Why do you live
at the North Pole?
Why do you leave presents?
Why do you always
come on Christmas Eve?
Why do some people
call you Kris Kringle?
Why? Why?
Now, hold on, hold on.
I can answer
all your questions
because I know everything
about Santa.
Now, Santa is a busy man.
He has no time to wait.
He's got millions and
millions of stockings
to fill on Christmas Day.
So you better write
your letter now
and mail it right away.
Because he's getting ready
with his reindeers
and his sleigh.
So you better watch out.
You better not cry
you better not pout
I'm telling you why.
So you want to know
all about Santa, huh?
Best place to start
is at the very beginning,
when Santa was just
a little baby.
You mean Santa was once.
A baby?
Of course!
Everybody's got to be a baby
at least once in their lives.
Now, this was years
and years ago.
Oh, way back.
In one of the northern countries, there
was a small city called Sombertown.
It was a cold, cold place
which shivered in the shadows
of the strange Mountain
of the Whispering Winds.
Now the main reason
for all this gloom
was the mayor.
A mean old grouch of a fellow
who was known as
Burgermeister Meisterburger.
Herr Burgermeister,
Herr Burgermeister,
look what was discovered
on your front stoop.
What? What, Grimsley?
The milk? The daily paper?
No, sir. A baby!
Oh, is that all?
A baby?
And there's a note.
"Please, sir,
take care of my child,
"and protect him
from the dangers
"of the Mountain
of the Whispering Winds.
"He will be exceptional if
only given the love he needs."
I,
Burgermeister Meisterburger,
take care of a baby?
Outrageous.
What's its name?
This is the only clue, sir.
It says, "Claus."
Go, take the little, uh,
baggage to the orphan asylum.
That's the proper place
for foundlings, anyway.
Get the brat out of here.
Oh! The sleigh!
It broke away.
Oh, my goodness... Uh...
Where are you, baby Claus?
Oh, do come back. Come back!
Well, that strange wind
blew the little sleigh right up to the
Mountain of the Whispering Winds.
Well, you see, that mountain
was the home of the awful,
the terrible... Oh,
I hate to even say his name.
That mountain
was the home of the.
Winter Warlock.
The strange hermit
of the North
who lived alone
in a ghostly palace of ice,
practicing his strange spells
and snowy incantations.
But the animals knew they
had to hide that baby, and fast.
They knew
where that baby belonged.
So, quick as they could,
they started on their way.
Where? Where?
Well, you see,
just beyond the mountain
was Rainbow River Valley,
and there, by a bend
in the magical stream,
was the home of a jolly family
of little people.
Elves, you might call them.
Kringle was their name.
The door was answered
by an Elf name Dingle.
Dingle Kringle, to be precise.
Yes, who's there?
There's who?
Wiggle my ears
and tickle my toes,
methinks I see a baby's nose.
It's more than a nose,
there's a whole baby
attached to it.
Better call my brothers.
Wingle, Bingle,
Tingle, Zingle.
What is it, Dingle?
It's a baby, Zingle.
A baby what, Wingle?
A baby baby, Tingle.
I like babies, Bingle.
Our baby is the best baby
of them all, Wingle.
They brought the
little fella to the elf queen,
Tanta Kringle.
A baby!
What a splendid idea.
He shall live with us
and sleep with us,
and drink warm cocoa with us.
What will we call him,
Tanta Kringle?
His license says, "Claus."
Unusual name.
However,
we shall call him Kris.
Kris Kringle!
Well those little Kringles
took that baby to their hearts.
Soon as he was old enough,
they set up a little school
and taught him
all the important things.
How to read,
and write, and talk,
and count stars
on a crystal night.
And how to make toys.
Make toys?
Oh, sure!
That was the Kringles'
main occupation.
They were toymakers.
The only problem was there
were no children to give them to.
Remember, Sombertown was
on the other side of the
Mountain of the Whispering Winds.
And the little elves Just couldn't
make it past the Winter Warlock.
So...
The toys kind of
stacked up some.
It's really quite sad.
We will never be able to transport
our toys over the mountain.
Someday
when I'm bigger,
I'll take them for you,
Tanta Kringle.
That will be the day.
We will be great toymakers
again, as we once were.
When was that, Tanta?
Oh, years and years ago.
The Kringles were
world-renowned,
for you know, we were the very
first royal toymakers.
The first toymakers
to the king.
It's
a difficult responsibility.
When you accept an
appointment from His Majesty.
You must strive for just
the perfect quality.
When you're the first
toymaker to the king.
All the soldiers
must stand erect.
For the kingdom they protect.
The balls must bounce
much higher.
If they are to please
His Royal Sire.
The ballerinas
must pirouette.
Upon their musical toes.
And the clowns
must make a king forget.
All his kingly woes.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
When you accept an
appointment from His Majesty.
You must strive for just
the perfect quality.
When you're the first
toymaker to the king.
All the sailboats
must never sink.
And the dollies always blink.
The teddy bears be furry.
If they're to gain
his royal curry.
The jack-in-the-boxes
must always pop.
At every regal command.
And the kangaroos
must learn to hop.
Into the prince's hand.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
When you accept an
appointment from His Majesty.
You must strive for just
the perfect quality.
When you're
the first toymaker.
To the king.
So that's why he makes
such wonderful toys?
That's why. The Kringles
taught him everything they knew.
Of course,
Kris had other teachers,
the animals.
But the seals taught him
the most important things.
How to have fun, and...
How to laugh.
Real hard and wonderful,
like he meant it.
Well, years went by
and finally,
Kris was a fine young man.
I'm a man now, Tanta.
I can take those toys across the
Mountain of the Whispering Winds.
It would be nice if someone
played with our toys.
If only one of my dollies
could be held tight
by a little girl.
It's decided.
Tomorrow, I leave
for Sombertown.
Tanta Kringle,
uh, I was just packing.
Did I wake you up?
I was awake anyhow.
I made this for your trip.
A real Kringle suit!
So that's where
he got the red suit.
Yup.
And he's always worn one
just like I,
right to this day.
Well, Kris said goodbye
to all his friends,
elf and animal.
Just as night was falling,
Kris started to make his way
through the dismal forest
which lay at the foot
of the Warlock's mountain.
Hey!
What...
Why, you're a penguin!
Well, what is
a penguin doing here?
You're looking for a stick?
A branch. A log? Pole?
The North Pole? No?
The South Pole!
Well, little feller, that's on
the other end of the Earth.
You're just about as lost
as you could get.
You better travel with me.
You need someone
to take care of you.
Now, now, cut that out!
Come on, topper...
I'll call you Topper. Okay?
Come on.
This way, little feller.
Who nears my mountain?
Go back,
or you are doomed!
Come on, Topper!
I shall get him
when he returns.
He's got to cross my mountain
on the way home.
And then,
No more being the nice guy.
We made it, Topper.
And...
And look!
Sombertown.
Just sitting there
waiting for us
and our good Kringle toys.
That's what they thought.
But what they didn't realize
was at that very moment,
in the Sombertown City Hall...
His Honor,
Burgermeister Meisterburger.
Yes, as expected.
You've broken your funny bone.
What caused me
to trip, Grimsley?
This, sir.
A toy?
As I suspected.
I hate toys,
and toys hate me.
Either they are going
or I am going.
And I am certainly
not going, Grimsley.
I have a job for you to do.
Now take this down.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
That you accept from
the number-one lawmaker, me.
Have it known throughout
the land from sea to sea.
There'll be no more
toymakers to the king.
All the tin soldiers
melt them down.
Wash the face of every clown.
Each bouncing ball deflated.
No, I don't want
lo debate it.
The ballerinas who pirouette.
Arrest their musical toes.
Outlaw the dolls
and sink the boats.
They bring me only woes.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
That you accept from
the number-one lawmaker, me.
Have it known throughout
the land from sea to sea.
There'll be no more
toymakers to the king.
Every jack-in-the-box
be sealed.
Till my wounded pride
be healed.
Stuffed animals
un-stuff 'em.
When a child objects
rebuff him.
No more drummers
who rat-a-tat-tat.
No buglers
who root-a-toot-toot.
Don't let me see another toy.
Or you will feel my boot.
It's a difficult
responsibility.
That he extracts from
the number-one law keeper, me.
Be it known
throughout the land.
From sea to sea.
There'll be no more.
Toymakers.
To the king!
No holding back, now.
Give me all your toys
by order of the Burgermeister.
We'll never play again.
The townspeople didn't
know what to make of Kris.
Hi, there!
Nice day, friend.
Don't "hi" me.
Good morning, ma'am.
You ought to be ashamed
of yourself, young man,
wearing such
outlandish clothes.
Clothes?
Look, all I want to do
is give away these toys.
- Toys?
- Toys?
- Get him out of here!
- Help!
Get him out of here!
What did I say?
Well, what's going on here?
We're doing our chores.
Yeah, no more playing.
No playing, eh?
Are you, uh, washing out, uh,
stockings?
Uh-huh. It's one of
our daily duties.
Then we hang them
by the fireplace
so they dry overnight.
That's the only way
they judge you around here.
By how many chores you do and
how clean your stockings are.
Is that so?
Well, uh...
You don't have to look
so glum about it. Why?
I don't know,
I just don't like sour faces.
Now, I got some real nice
goodies for you.
But not if you look like this.
You'd better watch out.
Better not cry.
Better not pout.
Why?
I'm telling you why!
Yeah.
'Cause I came to town.
And look what I brought!
Toys!
Real toys.
Why, sure.
Compliments of the Kringles!
But what
about the Burgermeister?
What about him?
If he wants a toy,
he may have one.
I'll save him a big red yo-yo.
Come on, let's play.
- Yeah, come on.
- Wait!
You must not play with toys.
And, uh, who are you?
That's Miss Jessica,
our new schoolteacher.
Kris Kringle at your service,
Miss Jessica.
How dare you come here
in those ridiculous clothes
and make fun of me?
Clothes again?
I wasn't making...
And what do you mean
by giving the children toys?
Don't you know toys
are against the law?
What?
Yep, it's true.
Gee, that's kind
of a silly law.
If the Burgermeister saw you,
we would all be in great danger.
In danger from toys?
Why, that's the silliest thing
I ever heard.
Toys are frivolous,
impractical,
unproductive and...
What's that?
For you.
A china doll?
I always wanted one
when I was a little girl.
But my parents wouldn't...
Thank you. I... I mean...
Watch out for that dolly.
She's a hardened criminal,
I hear.
Well, maybe it is a silly law.
I... I mean...
Oh, what do you say you help
me hand out these presents, huh?
It's too big a job
for one oversized Kringle
and a little lost penguin.
Oh, what a good girl.
Oh, what a good boy.
What a big smile.
All because of a toy.
If you sit on my lap today.
A kiss a toy is the price
you'll pay.
When you tell
what you wish for.
In a whisper
be prepared to pay.
If you sit on my lap today.
A kiss a toy
is the price you'll pay.
When you sit
on my left knee.
Don't be stingy.
Be prepared to pay.
If whenever you take.
You give a little back.
Then whoever you love.
Whoever you love.
Will give
a little love back.
A little love back.
So give a little love.
So give a little love.
Get a little love back.
Get a little love back.
Don't you have a little love.
That you want to get back.
If you sit on his lap today.
A kiss a toy
is the price you'll pay.
When you sit
on his left knee.
Don't be stingy
be prepared to pay.
Now, if you sit
on my lap today.
A kiss a toy
is the price you'll pay.
A perfect day.
Everybody is glum.
I see all the little children
are playing with their toys.
Playing with their toys?
Stop, in the name of the law.
You brats are under arrest.
Take them away.
Don't arrest those children.
It was my fault.
I gave them the toys.
You? How dare you?
You are obviously a
non-conformist and a rebel!
Me? Rebel?
Arrest this man immediately.
For you.
A yo-yo?
I love yo-yos.
I used to be able to do
all kinds of tricks.
Wee!
Excuse me, sir,
but you're breaking
your own law.
- What? What are you saying?
- What?
Ooh, I have been bamboozled.
Arrest him. Arrest him!
Oh, look,
he climbs like a squirrel,
leaps like a deer,
and is as slippery as a seal.
After him!
He went into the woods.
We'll never find him in there.
Guess we lost them, Topper.
Uh, slow down now.
Whoo-wee!
Wonder where we are.
Hey!
Hey, let go!
Let go!
Mmm. Kris Kringle.
You've disturbed me
for the very last time.
Now I have you
and you'll never get away!
Look, uh, before you do me in,
would you tell your tree friends
to let me loose for a second?
You see, I...
I have something for you.
What is this?
A trick?
Oh, no, sir, Mr. Warlock.
Or may I call you Winter?
Mr. Warlock, if you please.
Oh. Well, I managed
to save one little toy.
And I'd like you to have it.
You...
You wish to give me a present?
A toy?
Yes, sir.
But nobody ever
gives mean old Warlock
a toy.
I'd like to start
a new custom.
If you just call off...
Wha... Wha...
Oh, oh, yeah, that.
Yes, of course.
But you mustn't mind
the tree monsters.
Their bark is worse
than their bite.
Their bark is worse
than their bite.
Hey, uh, Willie Willow,
Peter Pine,
release the Kringle.
And no tricks now.
Oh, oh, no, sir,
Mr. Warlock.
A choo-choo?
I've always wanted one.
What's that?
My icy heart...
It's melting.
Well, look, Mr. Warlock...
Please, please,
call me Winter.
Winter?
Oh, yes, yes.
Suddenly my whole
outlook has changed
from bad to good.
Great!
But will it last?
I really am a mean and despicable
creature at heart, you know?
It's so difficult
to really change.
Difficult?
Why, why, look here,
changing from bad to good
is as easy as
taking your first step.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
You never will get
where you're going.
If you never get up
on your feet.
Come on, there's a good
tailwind blowing.
A fast-walking man
is hard to beat.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
If you want
to change your direction.
If your time of life
is at hand.
Well, don't be the rule
be the exception.
A good way to start
is to stand.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
If I want
to change the reflection.
I see in the mirror
each morn.
Oh, you do?
You mean that it's just
my election?
Just that.
To vote for a chance
to be reborn
Whoo-hoo!
You put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you are walking
across the floor.
You put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you are walking
out the door.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you are walking
across the floor.
Put one foot
in front of the other.
And soon you'll be walking
out the door.
Well, there's...
There's all kinds of ways
we can help each other.
You can bring me
nice new toys,
and I can assist you
with my magic.
How?
I'll show you.
Gaze into
my magic crystal snowball.
Someone is looking for you.
Kris!
Kris!
- Jessica?
- Go to her, lad.
Only me, ma'am.
I thought I'd never
find you again.
I wanted to bring you these.
Letters and notes from
the children of Sombertown
asking for more toys.
You see, the Burgermeister
destroyed the ones you brought.
You tell those young 'uns
there'll be plenty of toys,
but only if
they behave themselves.
No crying or pouting, or...
Oh, I... I'll know.
I got ways of knowing.
My, uh, personal friend,
the Warlock taught me this.
This here. I can see
when they're sleeping
and I know when they're awake.
My goodness.
You know
if they're bad or good?
Uh-huh. So you tell them
to be good
for goodness' sake.
Oh, thank you, Kris.
For what?
For being so kind.
For just being you.
Golly!
Now, uh, about the toys,
I'll have to kind of
slip 'em in after dark
when the Burgermeister
is asleep.
So you tell all the boys and girls to
leave their doors unlocked tomorrow night.
Well, Kris went back to the
Kringles to get some more toys.
And what do you think
those crazy Kringles did?
Yes, sir, they all moved
in the whole winter,
lock, stock and toy box.
I guess they figured it made
sense to move the source of supply
close to the demand.
I'm crowded.
But...
But at least I'm loved.
Kris made a list of all the
children and the toys they wanted.
He checked it over once,
then checked it over twice.
He tried to figure out
just who was naughty
and who was nice.
Well, I guess
they're all pretty nice.
So he packed up,
and was off to Sombertown.
When Kris
was safe inside Sombertown,
he tried all the doors.
And if they were open,
he knew a child lived inside
who was expecting a toy.
This is outrageous.
Toys, toys everywhere!
What sort of criminal
is this Kringle?
Sneaking into houses by night.
I hereby decree
that all the town's doors
and windows
will be locked tight
against this prowler.
Well more and more letters
came for Kris from the children.
Jessica would gather them together
and then give them to the animals
who would deliver them.
And Kris, well, he just
couldn't turn anybody down.
But this time, he found
all the doors were locked.
Now, there was once special
toy he just had to deliver.
Susie, a tiny little girl
who was very, very sick
had asked Kris
for a toy Noah's Ark.
Kris just couldn't
disappoint her.
Topper? Shh.
What is it?
Do you have an idea?
How to get into the house?
But not through the door?
Up? The sky?
The moon!
The stars?
The chimney?
Go down the chimney...
Great ideal!
Well, here goes.
And that's how he
started going down chimneys.
Oh. Now I understand.
That's fun!
What a great job I've got.
Come on. There's a lot more
chimneys to explore tonight.
More toys
discovered by the hearth
and the mantelpieces.
Each house in Sombertown
will be searched before dawn.
If any more toys are found
by the fireplace,
they will be confiscated,
and the children
severely punished.
So be it!
But those letters
just kept right on coming.
Doggone, how can I get the
toys to 'em? They got to have toys.
Otherwise, their life will be
nothing but school and chores
and washing
their stockings, and...
Their stockings.
The stocking!
Take this to Jessica.
She'll know
what to tell the children.
Company, halt!
Search the premises.
If you find so much as one
marble or half a jack,
the house is under arrest.
Double time, hup!
We can't find anything here,
Burgermeister.
Good. Very good.
No toys.
Nothing but drying stockings.
As is proper.
About face.
Forward march.
Hup, hup, hup, hup, hup, hup!
Thank heaven
there were no toys.
And that's how he started
leaving presents in stockings.
More toys?
But how?
Blast it, on my...
I will do what I should have
done a long time ago.
I will set a trap
for that bothersome Kringle.
His next visit to Sombertown
will be his last.
Oh, no. I must warn Kris!
But she was too late.
Kris had already left
with his toys.
Oh, Mr. Warlock...
Winter, please.
You must help me stop Kris.
Please, use your magic.
Alas, I've been disenchanted.
I have no more powers.
I can't even do card tricks.
That's terrible!
What shall we do?
Nobody is going
to do anything.
You are all under arrest
for defying the law
and making toys.
And for being an accomplice
to public enemy number one,
Kris Kringle.
To the dungeon.
I tell you,
things didn't look good.
And meanwhile,
back in Sombertown...
Stop, you are under arrest.
Not me!
Wait.
Look!
What can I do?
You have me.
To the dungeon!
Children of Sombertown,
you will never, never play
again!
Well, sir, it looked like
Kris was finally beaten.
Herr Burgermeister, please!
You must set Kris
and the other Kringles free!
Set them free? Never.
I promise they will never
disturb you again.
What good are your promises?
Goodbye, good luck,
and good riddance.
My own town turned against me.
Well, my eyes are beginning to
open for the very first time
to what life
is really all about.
And I know just
where I belong.
With Kris, wherever he is.
Today is not the end.
It's only beginning.
All the little cares.
Picked along the way.
Suddenly have disappeared.
With yesterday.
Tossed above the fields.
And lost among the winds.
My world
is beginning today.
Oh, so many times.
Have I walked this way.
And never seen
the little things
I see today.
Never had my head.
So high above the clouds.
My world
is beginning today
I know
something's gonna happen.
But it's out of my hands.
Things are gonna
start snapping.
Without any plan.
All the little cares.
Picked along the way.
Suddenly have disappeared.
With yesterday.
Tossed above the fields.
And lost among the winds.
My world is beginning today.
My world.
Is beginning today.
Well, Jessica realized
the first thing she had lo do
was set Kris and the others free.
Mr. Warlock.
Jessica, Winter, please.
What are you doing here?
Trying to set you all free.
But I don't know how. Tsk.
If only you had
your magic powers back.
Alas,
I've nothing but a few
meager magical leftovers
here in my pockets.
A short-circuited wand,
useless.
A dried up magic potion,
powerless.
The tiny stubs
of 100 or so magic candles
and a few last handfuls
of magic feed corn. Just junk.
Oh, me.
Magic feed corn?
Well, it's of no use to us.
It can't dissolve
prison walls,
all it can do
is make reindeer fly.
Reindeer?
Fly?
Yes, yes.
Ridiculous, isn't it?
Later that night,
Jessica rounded up some of
Kris' reindeer friends.
They just had to take
one nibble of that corn,
and...
Whoo-wee! Look at them go!
I bet you know their names.
Dasher and Dancer.
And Prancer and Vixen.
And Comet and Cupid.
And Donner and Blitzter.
Yes, sir.
And don't forget...
No, that's another story.
Halt!
Stop, stop!
Let's go, Donner!
Let's go!
Onward, Vixen, onward!
Ha-ha! I still have
a little magic!
I'm not such
a loser after all.
And that's how
Santa's reindeer started to fly?
That's just the way
it happened.
We Meisterburgers shall hunt
them down throughout the land.
Those rebels will not have
one moment's peace
until they are captured again.
It's not even safe here.
The guards will all
be coming back.
We'll have to push on. I'll
go anywhere you say, Kris.
Like Robin Hood of old,
Kris suddenly found himself
called an outlaw.
Wanted dead or alive.
The terrible toymaker!
Kris Kringle.
Well, those posters are not
going to do them any good now.
Oh, Kris let me take
a good look at it.
Pretty grand, eh?
It's perfect.
Well, since I'm a Kringle,
I had to grow one
sooner or later.
So that's why
he has whiskers.
Ah, but you should not use
your Kringle name.
It's dangerous!
Not call myself Kringle?
What other name would suit me?
There is one.
You were wearing this
when we found you as a baby.
See what it says.
"Claus."
Claus?
Your real name.
You must use it now.
I knew it, I knew it!
That's where he got
his name from.
And it was that name
he asked Jessica to share.
It was that name Jessica
agreed to take
- as his wife.
- Jessica?
Oh, she became
Mrs. Santa Claus.
It was a lovely wedding.
Yes, sir.
They held it on Christmas Eve
and since
no town would welcome them,
they stood before the Lord
in the silent winter woods
and a grove of pine trees
was their cathedral.
They put all that pretty stuff
onto the pine trees
and then Kris and Jessica placed
their wedding gifts to each other
under the trees.
No church ever looked nicer.
Oh, please.
Let me have
just a little magic.
The very first
Christmas trees.
What better way.
To tell you.
How much you mean.
To me.
Than a token.
Of affection.
Placed beneath.
The Christmas tree.
The custom started
long, long ago
when first
the wise men three...
Gave gifts of love.
Of love.
To a newborn.
Baby.
But there was no rest for
our little group of outcasts.
Soon they were forced up
beyond the reaches of civilization,
up far past
the most northern city,
past where even
most animals lived.
Up to the North Pole.
This is it, people.
Ah, yes, this is it.
We'll build ourselves
a nice house.
Heck,
while we're at it, we'll
build ourselves a castle
and the best toy factory
in the world.
And that's just
what they did.
And in no time at all...
Santa's castle
and workshop!
Up at the North Pole.
Well, as soon as
the buildings were built,
they settled in and started
making toys in earnest.
Oh, they needed toys.
Because you see, despite
everything the Meisterburgers tried,
the legend of Kris Kringle,
or Claus as he now was known
just grew and grew.
And as the years went by,
animals delivered letters
by the thousands.
Oh, just look at this list.
Well, load up the sleigh.
Ah, this is the fourth trip
this month.
You see, he still had
to travel by night
because he was considered
an outlaw.
But when did they stop
calling him an outlaw?
Well, as time went by,
that changed.
You see, the Meisterburgers,
they kind of died off
and fell out of power.
And by and by,
the good people realized
how silly the Meisterburger
laws were.
Well, everybody had
a wonderful laugh
and then forgot all about him.
Yes, sir, the older he got,
the more famous he became.
And the more folks loved him.
He's very good,
isn't he?
Uh-huh. You bet.
Is that why
he's called Santa Claus?
That's why, honey,
that's why.
It turned into quite
a proposition.
I can hardly keep up
with the orders.
I'm afraid I'm going
to have to limit my journeys
to one a year.
But on which night
should I go out?
I wonder.
It wasn't
a hard decision to make.
They chose, of course,
the holiest night of the year,
the night of profound love
which was the perfect night
for giving.
Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve.
And that's how it all started.
How goes it, Mr. Warlock?
Winter, please.
I've got my magic power
working just fine.
I can cast up
a big freeze, yes, sir.
I think I can guarantee
a white Christmas.
Wonderful.
Then let's be off!
Away now!
And that is the story
of Santa Claus.
Gee, he's so wonderful.
Everybody must love him.
Well, most everybody.
Oh, he's not considered
an outlaw anymore.
But there still are some...
Meh! Bah! Humbug.
Christmas is a bother.
The noise, the crowds... I
really wish it were outlawed.
How can they talk
about Santa Claus
when there's so much
unhappiness in the world?
Poor, misguided folks.
They miss the whole point.
Lots of unhappiness?
Maybe so.
But doesn't Santa take a little
bit of that unhappiness away?
Doesn't the smile
on Christmas morning
scratch out a tear,
cried on a Saturday?
Not much, maybe.
But what would happen if
we all tried to be like Santa
and learned to give
as only he can give?
Of ourselves,
our talents,
our love, and our hearts.
Maybe if we could all learn
Santa's beautiful lesson,
maybe there would finally
be peace on Earth
and goodwill toward man.
Hey, it's getting late,
and I've got these letters
to deliver.
And you better be getting home,
too.
And remember,
behave yourselves.
"Cause Santa can still
look into his magic snowball,
and see just what
you're up to.
And now that you know
all about him,
you can be darn sure that
come snow or high water...
Santa Claus
is comin' to town.
You better watch out
you better not cry.
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
He's making a list
and checking it twice.
He's going to find out
who's naughty or nice
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
He sees you
when you're sleeping.
He knows when you're awake.
He knows if you've
been bad or good.
So be good
for goodness' sake.
Oh, you better watch out
you better not cry.
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
With little tin horns
and little toy dogs
Rooty toot toots
and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
And the curly-head dolls
that toddle and coo.
Elephants, boats
and kiddie cars, too
Santa Claus is comin'
to town.
The kids in girl
and boy land.
Will have a jubilee.
They're going
to build a toy land town.
All around
the Christmas tree.
So you better watch out
you better not cry.
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming
Santa Claus is comin'
Santa Claus is comin'
To town.
Merry Christmas!