Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a 1964 science fiction film that regularly appears on lists of the worst films ever made. It is regularly featured in the “bottom 100” list on the Internet Movie Database, and was featured in an episode of the 1986 syndicated series, the Canned Film Festival. It was directed by Nicholas Webster, and it stars John Call as Santa Claus. It also includes an 8-year-old Pia Zadora playing the role of one of the Martian children.
The film took on newfound fame in the 1990s after being featured on an episode of the comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000. It became a holiday staple on the Comedy Central cable channel in the years following its 1991 premiere. It has since found new life again in the 2000s having been riffed by Cinematic Titanic. The movie was also featured on the current run of “Elvira’s Movie Macabre.”
By Nicholas Webster (Torrent file) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Movie info:
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Directed by Nicholas Webster
Produced by Paul L Jacobson, Joseph E Levine, Arnold Leeds
Written by Paul L Jacobson, Glenville Mareth
Starring John Call, Leonard Hicks, Vincent Beck, Bill McCutcheon, Victor Stiles, Donna Conforti
Music by Milton DeLugg
Cinematography David L. Quaid
Edited by William Henry
Distributed by Embassy Pictures Corporation
Release dates November 14, 1964
Running time 81 min.
Country USA
Language English
