''Santa Claus'' is a 1912

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

in which a little girl dreams that she goes to Toyland where she helps

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

in his workshop. The film was based on a stage play of the same name that played with the same cast at the

Scala Theatre The Scala Theatre was a theatre in Charlotte Street, London, off Tottenham Court Road. The first theatre on the site opened in 1772, and the theatre was demolished in 1969, after being destroyed by fire. From 1865 to 1882, the theatre was kn ...

in London where it ran from 23 December 1912 to 8 January 1913 Wearing, J. P.
''The London Stage 1910–1919: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel''
Rowman & Littlefield (2014), chapter 12, accessed 26 May 2019 with a score by Theodore Holland. Gifford, Denis (ed.
''British Film Catalogue: Two Volume Set – The Fiction Film/The Non-Fiction Film''
Routledge (2016), Google Books A suite by Holland based on music from the play was frequently broadcast at Christmas time during the 1920s and 1930s on BBC Radio. The play was a combination of live-action and two-tone Kinemacolor film. In the UK the film was distributed by the Natural Colour Kinematograph Co. in 1912 (610 m - 2 reels) and in the United States by the Kinemacolor Company of America in 1913 (900 m - 3 reels). The film was directed by

Walter R. Booth Walter Robert Booth (12 July 1869 – 1938) was a British magician and early pioneer of British film. Collaborating with Robert W. Paul and then Charles Urban mostly on "trick" films, he pioneered techniques that led to what has been descri ...

, R. H. Callum and F. Martin Thornton and was written by

Leedham Bantock Leedham Bantock (born Ernest Leedham Sutherland Bantock; 18 May 1870 – 16 October 1928) was a British singer, Edwardian musical comedy actor, early film director, dramatist and screenwriter. In 1912 he became the first actor to portray Fa ...

, Harold Simpson and Alfred de Manby. The detailed models of towns and buildings used in the film were made by Edward Rogers.''Santa Claus'' (1912)
-

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

Synopsis

Little Elsie is put to bed on Christmas Eve, and after her mother wishes her good night, she falls asleep. Her dream forms the theme of the story. Old Santa Claus appears to her with his assistant Ting-a-ling (named for the sleigh bells on her clothing) and persuades her to come with him up the old-fashioned fireplace. Alighting on the snow-covered roof, old St. Nicholas takes little Elsie into his sleigh and the dancing reindeer carry them off to Toyland. Arriving at Santa Claus' workshop, little Elsie is warmly welcomed by all the little gnomes, and sees the many toys in this workshop. The photography brings out every detail of color and mechanism, as do the close views of Old Santa Claus enplaning the different toys. The Earth revolves in space while in the distance the dashing reindeer approach with Santa Claus and little Elsie. Two little children are seen at their mother's knee praying for the safe return of their father, who is away at sea. Little Elsie and Old Santa overhear their petition and immediately communicate with Old Father Neptune at the bottom of the sea, to grant their request. The scene reproduces King Neptune's Court with his water nymphs gathered about him. Little Elsie eagerly follows Santa Claus on his route, delighting in his magic and generosity in the children's ward of one of the big hospitals. Home again, Elsie is safely tucked into her bed by Old Santa and later is awakened from her dream by the entrance of her mother on Christmas morning. Little Elsie happily discovers that her own bed is covered with gifts from the fairy toy shop she visited in her dreams.Harold Simpson, ''The Kinemacolor Fairy Story Santa Claus'' - Synopsis of ''Santa Claus'' - Mills and Boon (1912)

Cast

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*Margaret Favronova – Ting-a-lingMargaret Favronova
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Scenes in the film

*Ting-a-ling Wakes Father Christmas *Toyland *Good-bye to Christmas Land *The Journey to Earth *The House Tops *The Cuckoo Clock *Telephoning to Father Neptune *The Star of Sweet Content *The Naughty Boy *Father Christmas and the Moonbeams *Catching the Black Dog *The Children's Hospital *Through the Telescope *Good-Bye! Father Christmas!

Gallery

File:Gnomes in the forge at Toyland 1912.jpg, Gnomes at work in the forge at Toyland File:Old Father Neptune Santa Claus 1912.jpg, The Court of Old Father Neptune

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 1342417 1912 films Santa Claus in film 1910s fantasy films British children's fantasy films British black-and-white films British silent short films Films set in London Neptune (mythology) British films based on plays 1910s British films