Full of many hidden details, Santa Claus is the perfect annual Christmas rewatch. Featuring Tim Allen as an arrogant businessman and divorced father who accidentally signs a contract to become the next Santa Claus, the film finds Scott Calvin experiencing a personal and physical transformation that shocks everyone around him. The 1994 holiday film’s wacky yet compelling premise resulted in a huge box office success, producing two sequels and a Disney+ TV show that expanded on the original’s subtle North Pole and Santa Claus magic system, as well as Santa Clauspeculiar family tree.
John Pasquin Santa Claus offers enough mysteries to create the whimsical vibe that characterizes the best Santa Claus movies. Although its Christmas lore is minimal compared to the rest of the franchise, the original stands out for the subtle series of details responsible for creating the feeling that magic is everywhere if you’re willing to see it. One particular aspect that can easily go unnoticed is the elves hidden throughout the film, whose purpose is only revealed until the end.
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Elf girl looking at a store window
Santa Claus is in town and has plans for Scott Calvin
On his way home, Scott Calvin drives through a merry town on Christmas Eve. In addition to exposing his plans to escape the vacation with his son, the quick sequence subtly foreshadows what’s in store for the selfish character. Introducing a girl in a pink jacket looking at a windowthe film introduces its first hidden and easiest to notice elf. Although her fluffy hair and presence of other children help disguise her true identity, the character’s pointy ears become prominent when she turns around as Scott walks by.
However, the elf girl isn’t the only magical being aware of Scott in the scene. Before she is shown, a man dressed as Santa Claus is seen raising money for charity. As Scott’s car passes, Santa looks in his direction. Although he does not wear the official Santa Claus costume, the character’s interest in Scott reveals that he too, like the elf, is aware of what is coming. The presence of magical characters reveals that old Santa Claus may have orchestrated his replacementand asked for help to resolve the problem.
Since Tim Allen’s character didn’t warm to the idea quickly, it makes sense that Santa decided to fake his death to instigate the takeover.
This would explain why the elves aren’t sad or surprised when Scott arrives at the North Pole as the new Santa Claus. The event also aligns The Santa Clauses revealing that Santa Claus chose Scott as his successor before retiring. Since Tim Allen’s character didn’t warm to the idea quickly, it makes sense that Santa decided to fake his death to instigate the takeover. Although not explicitly addressed, Santa ClausHidden details tell a bigger story than their surfaceand the first elf girl is just the beginning.
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Elf Boy at Denny’s
Scott Calvin’s tryst with magic is closer than he thinks
Charlie and Scott’s terrifying Christmas Eve celebration culminates at Denny’s. While there’s nothing less Christmassy than eating at a chain restaurant, a hidden character in the scene suggests that Scott’s positive transformation is underway. When father and son enter the establishment, an elf boy wearing a red scarf is seen adjusting your jacket. Before leaving, the elf stops to look at the seated duo. The film cuts to another two miserable tables with parents and their children, and when the focus returns to Charlie and Scott, the elf boy is gone.
Responsible for some of the best quotes Santa ClausDenny’s scene is memorable for several reasons, making it easy to miss the elf’s presence in the short screen. Showing the difficulties of a divorced father during the holidays, the scene emphasizes Scott’s failed attempts to connect with the frustrated Charlie. Although he rejects his son’s objection to eating there, Scott makes an effort. He bought a turkey to prepare for the evening and tries to embrace the unforeseen change of plans with good cheer.
The fact that the elf boy knew his fighting father would end up at Denny’s shows that the powers that be understand the kind of person he is, as well as recognizing his potential to become so much more. The hidden magical creature continues to shape Scott’s coming fatewhich takes place a few hours after the event. It also demonstrates that the future Santa had no way to stop his ascension, meaning that old Santa was always going to fall off the roof, whether it was planned or not.
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Elf boy in Charlie’s class for career day
Reveals that Scott’s Santa Claus transformation is inherently linked to Charlie
Shortly after the first Christmas adventure, Charlie’s parents attend Career Day. To the gang’s surprise, young Calvin introduces his father as Santa Claus. Nervous, Scott tries to explain his similarities to Santa Claus, joking that he helps deliver toys across the country and works hard one day a year. Sitting behind Charlie’s chair is an elf boy wearing blue who pays close attention to the scene, standing out for being the only boy who doesn’t laugh at Charlie’s confession.
After the elf boy, other elves appear around the father and son, checking on their new boss’s mission.
The elf boy seems to be making sure that Scott gets his “matters in order”Before next Christmas arrives, as Bernard instructed him to do. But what’s interesting is that the elf boy comes to Charlie’s class successfully linking Scott’s embrace of Santa Claus to his relationship with his son. After the scene, Charlie tells Scott: “there are many children who believe in you. You can’t let them down.” The phrase is intended to explain that Charlie believes in Scott now and hopes for his transformation.
As the film later reveals, Scott becoming Santa Claus helps him heal his relationship with his son, even though it initially threatens him. Notably, this is the first time that Laura and Neal become concerned for Charlie’s well-being, requesting that Scott clarify the situation. The presence of the elf boy, as well as the hidden elves before him, confirms that the North Pole magical characters were aware of the risks and benefits that Scott’s transformation would represent for your relationships. After the elf boy, other elves appear around the father and son, checking on their new boss’s mission.
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Elf girl walking behind Charlie and Scott in the park
Elves are getting impatient waiting for Scott Calvin to move
Desperate because Neal and Laura think Charlie would be better off not spending time with him, Scott takes his son for a walk and asks him to keep his identity a secret. However, Scott isn’t the only character who is increasingly frustrated with the situation. An elf girl wearing an oversized purple sweater can be seen walking in the opposite direction. The elf gives Scott and Charlie an impatient look. before leaving, revealing that he can’t believe his boss still denies he’s Santa Claus.
The girl hidden from the scene marks the first elf that had previously been introduced in Santa Claus. When Scott first arrived at the North Pole, he followed her around asking who her boss was. The two characters had a funny exchange, as the elf didn’t bother to explain and impatiently replied: “you are!”, clearly wanting to get back to work. As Bernard scolded her for taking a break, the girl found an excuse to escape the situation, but not without leaving a good impression on Scott.
Returning to keep an eye on his reluctant boss, the elf maintains her attitude and emphasizes that Scott’s actions weigh on the elves. The scene takes place before Santa’s spirit takes on his physical appearance and appetite, which later provokes Scott Calvin’s bizarre doctor’s appointment. The elf girl’s disappointment could also be a result of realizing that the change had not yet manifested itself. Called Hangar Elf in the film’s credits, the character ends up making two other appearances disguised as a normal girl – speaking for her greater role among the other hidden elves.
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Elf behind a bench at Charlie’s football game
Scott Clavin being Santa Claus is inevitable
Shortly after his low-key visit to the park, the Elf in the Hangar returns for a second time and employs a different method. While Scott tries to watch Charlie’s football game, a girl approaches him and tells him what she wants for Christmas. Unable to help it, Scott, now chubbier and hairier, is recognized by other children in the park who line up to ask him for the desired gifts. THE sassy elf girl can be seen monitoring the eventas she stands behind the bench where her boss is sitting.
The elf’s presence can easily go unnoticed, as she could be mistaken for another child interested in Scott. However, unlike the hidden elves of the past, the Elf in the Hangar is finally noticed by Scott, and he even subtly interacts with her. As Santa Claus wearily counts the children in line, he makes an imperceptible complaint to the elf, who raises her eyebrows in response, as if to say “It’s the job, man.” The little, hidden exchange is even funnier considering the pair’s initial interaction at the North Pole.
Most importantly, the situation ends Scott’s transformation into Santa Claus showing that this will happen with or without his participation, so he better get on board. Although the character intended to bury the fact by keeping it a secret, his apparent personification of Christmas becomes inevitable. The peculiar scene also begins to set up a conflict used in Santa Claus 2where Santa’s responsibility to other children affects the attention he can give to Charlie. Notably, Scott wanted to watch Charlie play football, but ended up being hired to perform Santa Claus duties.
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Hidden elves see Santa Claus take off from Charlie’s house
The Elves’ work is done
Near Santa ClausAt the end of, Scott takes Charlie back home to Laura and Neal, stating that it is right for him to share him with the rest of the family for Christmas. As the police attempt to arrest Scott for a second time, neighbors gather to witness the resolution of the family drama. To their surprise and to the children’s luck, Santa’s sleigh takes off from the roof of the house in time. Among the amazed audience, the elves who made short, hidden appearances throughout the film gather to say goodbye to Santa Claus.
Their loyalty and reassuring presence take on a guardian angel feel, as their omniscient wisdom has allowed them to accompany Scott and Charlie throughout their shared journey.
With proud faces, the elf in the pink jacket, the boy in blue and the elf in the Hangar, watch Scott Calvin accept being Santa Clausopenly wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and leaving to deliver the gifts. Three other hidden elves are in the crowd, although only the face of one of them is shown. Elf-Larry makes one last appearance among the vigilant elves. Larry is the other elf that Scott approaches when he arrives at the North Pole, asking who is in charge. He is also the elf that Bernard instructs to take Charlie out for some food.
Having accompanied your boss through every stage of his transformation, from rejection to denial to acceptance, the work of the vigilant elves is done. Their loyalty and reassuring presence have the quality of a guardian angel, as their seemingly omniscient wisdom has allowed them to accompany Scott and Charlie throughout their shared journey. As they are certain that their boss has accepted who he is, the elves cease their protective watch over him. The hidden characters in Santa Claus leaving the cinema, running down the street, laughing and celebrating a successful Christmas.