Need another dose of the jolly old elf after Paul Giamatti's in Fred Claus? The thing is, for all the many many many many many movies about Christmas, there aren't all that many that are actually about the man himself. But there are a few:

Santa Clause and Santa Clause 2Tim Allen is surprisingly sweet and genuine as a modern man shanghaied into being Santa, and No. 2 also has some satisfying darkness to counter all the sugarplums and candy canes. (I haven't seen Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, so I can't say whether the how-did-these-turn-out-so-good trend continued.)

Miracle on 34th Street
The original 1947 version, please, not the tepid 1994 remake. And not the colorized '47 one, either.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town: Just say "Burgermeister Meisterburger" to anyone over 30, and watch 'em giggle. This 1970 Rankin and Bass animated TV special is a generational touchstone, and is still one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Bad Santa
He's not the real Santa, but Billy Bob Thornton throws all caution to the wind as a bitter, drunken, misanthropic, sex-addicted department store Santa/thief in this deliciously wicked and defiantly politically incorrect Yuletide satire.

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington isn't the real Santa either, but he at least tries to make all the little children happy, even if it goes horribly wrong.

Stalking Santa
I haven't actually seen this one yet -- it's an under-the-radar indie just out on DVD this week -- but it sounds like a hoot. A "Santologist" and his intern launch a scientific investigation into the existence of Santa Claus. This mockumentary spoof on conspiracy theorists is narrated by William Shatner, which should tell you just about everything you need to know.

And once you're sick of the sugarplums and candy canes, check these out:

Santa Claus, The Movie
It stars Dudley Moore and Burgess Meredith as elves, John Lithgow as an evil toymaker, and it makes Santa a kind of Stockholm syndrome-suffering undead monster. This one actually perverts the spirit of the holiday into something creepy, itchy, and miserable.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Of course he does. If only he could conquer his costar, the eight-year-old Pia Zadora, whose "talents" never really advanced beyond those on display here. Gives Plan 9 From Outer Space some serious competition for the championship title of Worst Movie Ever Made.

Santa With Muscles
It's available only as a used VHS, but it's worth seeking out if only to see Hulk Hogan play Santa Claus. What? You say you though Hulk Hogan couldn't act? Well, you were right.

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