Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid
- Episode aired Dec 18, 1955
- TV-14
- 30m
While working as a department store 'Santa Claus', a paroled convict tries to help a troubled boy.While working as a department store 'Santa Claus', a paroled convict tries to help a troubled boy.While working as a department store 'Santa Claus', a paroled convict tries to help a troubled boy.
- Girl
- (as Wendy Winkleman)
- Boy
- (as Anthony Blankley)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe model airplane hanging from the ceiling represents an F-94C Starfire, a missile-armed interceptor of the early 1950s. It appears to be made of balsa wood, possibly from a kit by Comet.
- GoofsThe airplane hanging from the ceiling has correct US Air Force markings at first, but later on the markings change to a completely incorrect version with black stars instead of white ones.
- Quotes
[first lines]
[Bricking up fireplace]
Himself - Host: Oh, good evening. I thought I might as well brick this up. I don't expect I'll be using this fireplace anymore. I expect the chimney to be closed very soon. I've, uh, loosened the bricks so they'll fall in if anyone should brush against them on the way down. Santa Claus is always bringing surprises to others. I thought it would be interesting if someone surprised him for a change. I'm rather tired of his tracking soot in here every year. There. Let him "Ho ho ho" himself out of that. At the risk of overburdening our program with the spirit of the season, we have arranged to dramatize a very appropriate story for tonight's divertissement. It is called Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid.
- SoundtracksFuneral March of a Marionette
Written by Charles Gounod
While not one of the best episodes of Season 1 or of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' overall, "Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid" is still very good in its own way. Tonally it may stick out like a sore thumb, with it being so far removed from what was usually seen with the series before and since. But doing something different doesn't mean automatically that it's bad, have seen a lot of changes of pace done very well. "Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid" does its change of pace very well.
Did feel that Virginia Gregg's character was underwritten and that she was given too little to do.
How it all ends is never really in doubt and it was a touch too on the convenient side.
Fitzgerald however is absolutely wonderful in a role that is letter perfect for him, he gives it a curmudgeonly charm that he was so great at and one of the best actors at that time to do it and also a hard edge that fits the petty criminal side of the character expertly too. Bobby Clark is not cloying or too childish and he brings heart to the episode. As does the chemistry between him and Fitzgerald. Hitchcock's sardonic bookendings are a joy here and it was very interesting hearing what he had to say about the episode.
Moreover, "Santa Claus and the Tenth Avenue Kid" is very nicely made, if not the most visually inspired episodes due to it being different from the usual. It is niftily directed, where sentimentality is kept at bay and the slight story still has energy and momentum. Nice use of music and the theme tune is one of the best uses of pre-existing classical music on television in my view. The script is concise and thoughtful, with it having a heart while never being sugary sweet. The story is slight but incredibly charming yet also has some edge.
In summary, very good if not one of the best 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes. 8/10.
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 9, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1