‘Twas a few weeks before Christmas, when all through the house a bunch of creatures were stirring, including a low-level toy factory worker who moonlights as a homicidal maniac for the holidays. Unsurprisingly, ‘Harry Claus’ turned out the way he did seeing more than just Mommy kissing Santa Claus when he was younger. Mix this into the eggnog with some Fireball, anxiety, and the fact he dresses up like a local mall Santa to spy on the neighborhood kiddos to see who’s naughty or nice, instead of hanging stockings over the fireplace with care to make sure the jolly man will be there, you might want to sit on the real Santa’s lap and ask for a home security system for Christmas (it’s the gift that keeps giving the whole year round). So what should appear as your eye wanders through the video shelf at your local thrift store? Why it’s the cult holiday classic Christmas Evil, starring a psychotic jolly madman, driving a miniature creeper van painted with eight tiny reindeer across the moon stalking in the night snow!
Presented by the very distinguished producer Edward R. Pressmen, whose prestigious filmography includes the likes of Wall Street, Talk Radio, and The Crow (as well as presents under the Tree like Judge Dreed, The Hand, and Crimewave), the film was a result of most slashers at the time taking a stab at a holiday but holds a lot of weight (too many cookies and milk) as coming out before Silent Night, Deadly Night as being the first film to see a Santa wielding a sharp object. Though supposedly written before Halloween, the director claims the movie came about when he was riding high in the clouds with Rudolph and swore he saw the big red guy wielding a knife. The film comes together well, and thoughtful care was spent so the film was not just another calandar-date-killer-thriller. With a little old “Whatever’ attitude (so lively and quick) you know in a moment this is not going to be another “St. Nick goes a slashing.” Oh sure, there are a few scenes of “Jingle Kills” as the guy whistles, shouts, and calls all the people that make fun of him all sorts of names (those youngsters won’t be playing any reindeer games any time soon). The film does something different than films like Black Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Knife (“Teacher says every time some teenager gets killed, an angel gets its wing.”). It makes us feel some sympathy for the raging white-bearded saint, even wanting the viewer to sympathize with Harry like Frankenstein’s monster (a right jolly old elf), which makes you draw in your head that when this St. Nicholas comes with a bound (of axes), maybe we shouldn’t prance and paw as he yells “Now slash away! Slash away! Slash away all!”
His creepy eyes. Oh, how they twinkled with dread! His dimples, how merryly they bled! His cheeks were like roses and his nose the color of a cherry, perhaps from all the blood dripping off them. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a boa constrictor, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. When most see ’Harry Claus’ dressed all in fur, from his ashy head to his sooty foot, they expect a bag of toys instead of a bag full of weapons, knives, and sharp objects, but not many people get to ask ‘Harry Claus’ a lot of questions before he deems to put you on his naughty list. It has been a rough few years dealing with Santaphobia (the fear of Santa Claus), but those close to him (at least the ones who survive) have to admit ‘Harry Claus’ does face his fears. The only issue is he makes others fear him in the process and this does not make many dreams of sugar plums dance in their head. No, most people look at Harry with his broad face and little round belly and they laugh like a bowlful of jelly until ol’ St. Harry snaps! Harry speaks not a word, but goes straight to his (crazy) work, filling stockings with all those laughing jerks! Will Harry’s friends and family (including a young Jeffery DeMunn) know what is the matter with him when he makes such a clatter, or will they ignore it all by putting on their caps for a long winter’s (dirt) nap?
Tip-toeing across your roof at a chilly ninety-two minutes, and directed with glee by Lewis Jackson (whose only other directorial credits are The Deviates and The Transformation: a Sandwich of Nightmares), this film went through several titles such as You Better Watch Out and Terror in Toyland before the success of Halloween made them go with the holiday cheer. You can find the film on most streamers but try to get the Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome for lots of joyful special feature presents. So as ‘Harry Claus’ sprang to his van, he shouted to no one “Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donner Party and Blitzen!” and as he drove the van out into the Hudson River he said “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good nightmare!”
