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You heard it here first: This is the year with an ode to the legendary lasting legacy of the beloved 1974 ABC Christmas special, “The Year Without a Santa Claus.” And just as the stop-motion animated feature celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s time to perhaps consider a (ahem, another) live-action reimagining. Why? Well, Gen Z has no idea what this classic piece of cinema history even is, and if we’re getting Disney live-action remakes nonstop, why not take the same approach to a different IP via the Rankin/Bass catalogue?
Famed animators Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. co-directed the 1974 TV special film, which premiered December 10, 1974 on ABC. The feature debuted exactly a decade after Rankin/Bass’ “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and was originally conceived as a sequel to “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.” William J. Keenan wrote “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” which was based on a 1957 book written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Phyllis McGinley.
‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’The story centers on Santa, who catches a cold right before his big day AKA Christmas Eve. While Mrs. Claus tries to both aide her ailing husband and find a replacement gift-giver to drive the sleigh that night, she encounters Mother Nature and her two sons, the scene-stealing Snowmiser and Heatmiser. Mrs. Claus has to convince the brothers to let it snow just this once on a particular small town, where two elves have traveled to to rescue Rudolph who is being kept in a dog pound (it’s a long, but very entertaining, story. Watch it!).
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” featured several new renditions of classic Christmas songs, including “Blue Christmas,” “Anyone Can Be Santa,” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.” Oh, and did we mention just how campy the film is?
While a live-action remake did air on NBC in 2006, it’s time for a full-out, A-list take on this classic.
‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’Sure, we don’t know what the state of the IP rights for “The Year Without a Santa Claus” is, nor do we know who could direct this adaptation (Jon M. Chu seems to have his hands full with “Wicked Part Two” and Lin-Manuel Miranda is coupled up with Disney, too.)
Cue up Christmas icon Richard Curtis for a musical feature debut! He did just direct Ed Sheeran’s music video for “Under The Tree,” which was an original song for Curtis’ first animated film “That Christmas.”
Or have Baz Luhrmann give us his Christmas epic, with an Elvis Presley reference with “Blue Christmas” and all.
But Luca Guadagnino’s take on this would, as Chris Pine said of his dream director for “Princess Diaries 3,” be “fucking fire.” We already have a Heatmiser pun! And speaking of the Miser Bros., “The Year Without a Santa Claus” is incredibly “Queer”-coded, as well.
Below, check out our picks for who should play which character if Hollywood ever decides to bring “The Year Without a Santa Claus” to the live-action big screen to toast to its 50th anniversary.
Brian Cox as Santa
Yes, this part is mostly for a Santa that is bedridden and sneezing, but the “Succession” icon already has voiced Santa in Richard Curtis’ Netflix film “That Christmas” so it seems like he’s halfway there. And we already know that Cox can carry a tune as well. Mickey Rooney voiced the character in the original animated film.
Patti LuPone as Mrs. Claus
This could just be our “Agatha All Along” fandom talking but Broadway legend Patti LuPone famously elevates anything that she’s in. We’d love for LuPone to channel her “Beau Is Afraid” narcissistic maternal energy to give a pricklier take to North Pole celebrity Mrs. Claus, who is the real hero of “The Year Without a Santa Claus” despite not even getting her name in the title. Emmy, Oscar, and Tony winner Shirley Booth had her final role as Mrs. Claus in the original film; the character also narrates the feature.
Nicole Kidman as Mother Nature
Our reigning queen of 2024 Nicole Kidman would no doubt fuel more memes if she were to take on the supporting role of Mother Nature, who not only rules the weather but also has to tame her two quarreling sons. We’re thinking an AMC ad meets “Aquaman” performance for Kidman, with a dash of the holistic guru charisma from “Nine Perfect Strangers.” And Kidman is a musical pro, as her beloved “Moulin Rouge!” turn, among others, reminds us.
Barry Keoghan as Heatmiser
Barry Keoghan has already immortalized himself with not one but two dance scenes in “Saltburn” and “Bird,” plus he’s appeared in Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” music video. The actor is set to continue his musical legacy by portraying Ringo Starr in the four-part film series about The Beatles, directed by Sam Mendes. Keoghan’s filmography, particularly in “Killing of a Sacred Deer” and “Saltburn” (plus what would have been his disturbing “Gladiator II” role), makes him a no-brainer pick for the hotheaded brother who controls all heat waves.
Josh O’Connor as Snowmiser
OK, this was a tricky one: There could have been a “Babygirl” reunion between Kidman and Harris Dickinson if he was to play Snowmiser, especially after that “Father Figure” dance scene. This also could have been Paul Mescal’s role to take, continuing his Beatles ensemble with Keoghan and also capitalizing on his theater background, as most recently showcased by his musical spoof of “Gladiator II” during his “SNL” hosting gig December 7. However, we have to select the one and only Josh O’Connor. We already know O’Connor can hold his own in power play games onscreen, and a musical just might be the perfect “Challenge-rs” for the star.
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