This made-for-TV entry marks the last appearance of Fred Astaire targeting the small screen audience - he was to make a final swan song a couple of years later with Ghost Story - and that alone, of course, makes it worth seeing. It's a charming fable with no pretensions and no ambition other than to entertain in an undemanding way and in that it succeeds admirably. Fred Astaire embodies the spirit of Christmas and it's hard to visualise anyone who could equal let alone eclipse his performance. Harold Gould and Nanette Fabray turn in stellar support as a couple of ex-vaudevillians who will go into their dance at the least provocation. Throw in Gary Burhoff as a lovelorn math teacher and you have all the ingredients for a festive treat.
Review of The Man in the Santa Claus Suit
