WGTC Weekly Throwdown: Mightiest Movie Santas!

Alex – Ed Asner (Elf)

The father of Christmas, Santa Claus himself, has been portrayed countless times in film and TV specials, and there will undoubtedly be scores of actors to play Santa in the future. Out of all the different visions of Mr. Claus, there is only one that I imagine sliding down my chimney, gobbling up a plate of cookies, and leaving presents under my tree. That man is Ed Asner.

Asner first played Kris Kringle in a 1996 TV movie, The Story Of Santa Claus, but it’s his performance in Elf that really sticks in my mind. Although Elf isn’t necessarily a story about Santa, Asner is absolutely perfect in his time on screen.

The problem with many Santas in film is they are portrayed as too jolly and kind. Although he is indeed the jolliest man on the face of the earth, this guy lives at the north pole. Have you been to the north pole? Well I actually haven’t either, but it’s supposed to be really, really cold. To live up there year round you have to be tough. And it can’t go without mentioning that this man makes a trip around the world to every single house in one night. The guy’s a monster! He can’t be some pushover who just loves sipping eggnog. Asner’s Santa perfectly portrays that tough exterior, while still showing the joy and loving care of the man.

He knows how to give orders, such as he does when his sleigh needs fixing, and he knows exactly what to say to get people to snap out of their grinchness and gain a bit of Christmas spirit. He’s willing to tell Buddy the truth that yes his father is on the naughty list, even though that isn’t exactly news that’s going to make a human raised by elves merry, but no matter, Santa does it, because he’s the man. The man in the big red suit.

He also looks the part as well as anyone can. I mean come on, how does his white beard and his jolly belly not perfectly scream Santa? After watching Elf for the first time I forgot every other version of Santa ever seen before. I am quite looking forward to Ed Asner coming to my house every Christmas.