Synopsis of Movie

”You’ll never get away with this, you Martian!”

Camp classic, Christmas classic or cult classic, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians was surely a classic of some sort. Shot for under $200,000 in a converted airport hangar, the movie had that kind of homemade look you just can’t buy in stores. And it featured the acting debut of Pia Zadora, to boot.

Mars needs a Santa. The Martian tykes have all become addicted to Earth television, and now they’re clamoring for the jolly tubby guy in the big red suit (as seen on TV!). An expedition is sent to retrieve Santa, but the proliferation of streetcorner Santas confuses the little green guys. Someone hits on the bright idea of kidnapping two earth children, the impossibly adorable Billy and Betty, to take them to their toymaking leader. The kids lead the Martians to the North Pole, and after a scary polar bear chase, the aliens pack Santa and the kids up for a return trip to Mars.

Grumpy Martian Voldar tries to toss his earthling passengers out en route, which gets him in trouble with Martian leader Lomas back home. The exiled Voldar plots his revenge. Meanwhile, Santa brings fun and joy to the red planet, setting up a Martian workshop with the help of dopey Martian Dropo. When Voldar and his criminal cronies invade, Santa and his new pals (including young Zadora as Girmar, the Girl Martian) must defend themselves with all the toy weaponry available.

The movie ends with a reprise of the original song “Hooray for Santa Claus,” complete with lyrics and bouncing ball for sing-along fun. The tune was written by Milton Delugg, who went on to compose the theme songs for The Gong Show and The $1.98 Beauty Show.

It may not have been It’s A Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street, but Santa Claus Conquers the Martians spread enough holiday cheer to put itself in the rotation of holiday films that pop up every year on television.

Movie Release History

1964 - Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Movie Sub Categories

live-action
sci-fi/fantasy
other

Movie Studio

Jalor Prods., AVCO Embassy Pics.

Cast

Santa Claus John Call
Kimar Leonard Hicks
Voldar Vincent Beck
Dropo Bill McCutcheon
Billy Victor Stiles
Betty Donna Conforti
Bomar Chris Month
Girmar Pia Zadora
Momar Leila Martin
Hargo Charles Renn
Rigna James Cahill
Andy Henderson Ned Wertimer
Mrs. Claus Doris Rich
Chochem Carl Don
Von Green Carl Don
Winky Ivor Bodin

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