Santa Claus: The Movie (1986)

Directed by: Jeannot Szwarc

This review contains a Kitty Carnage Warning!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Santa Claus (David Huddleston) is threatened by a corporate takeover when a greedy toy maker (John Lithgow) tries to hijack Christmas.

Kitty Cameo: In a segment that starts the 18th century, a little girl is fighting with her brother over his treatment of a grey and white tuxedo cat.

Santa Claus: The Movie - close up of gray and white tuxedo cat being held by scruff
Santa Claus: The Movie - close up of gray and white tuxedo cat being held by scruff

Kitty Carnage Warning! The girl protests that the boy is hurting the cat and should stop. The boy, who is holding the cat by the scruff, just pushes her away and continues his abuse. If there is any consolation to this scene, it appears the boy actor is doing his best not to actually hurt the cat.

Santa Claus: The Movie - brother and sister fighting over treatment of gray and white tuxedo cat being held by scruff
Santa Claus: The Movie - brother and sister fighting over treatment of gray and white tuxedo cat being held by scruff
Santa Claus: The Movie - close up of gray and white tuxedo cat being held by scruff

That night the girl is sleeping in bed with the cat curled beside her, purring. She has written a letter to Santa asking him not to give her brother any toys since he was mean to the cat. This turns out to be the catalyst for Santa only bringing toys to good boys and girls. It would appear this is not the same cat actor from the previous scene, as this cat appears to be a tabby with a little less white.

Santa Claus: The Movie - little girl sleeping beside gray cat
Santa Claus: The Movie - little girl sleeping beside gray cat

Final Mewsings: Damn right kids who hurt cats shouldn’t get toys!

Many thanks to Nick Wale for letting us know about the cat in this movie!

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