Santa Claus vs. Cupid
About Santa Claus vs. Cupid
Two men, both after the same woman, turn up at her Christmas party in Santa Claus suits. A desperate man at the same party becomes a thief. A Moving Picture World synopsis names the rivals Jack and Edward and the hostess Helen, and has Jack present her at the end as the future Mrs. Santa Claus.
Cast & crew
More about Santa Claus vs. Cupid
Willard Louis directed. Alan Crosland wrote the story. Edison produced the one-reel Christmas short, and General Film Company distributed it in 1915. It runs 16 minutes. Raymond McKee plays Dick Norwood, Billy Casey plays Edward Beck, Guido Colucci plays Binks Mulligan, and Grace Morrissey plays Helen Bower. Grapevine Video issued it in 2010.
Themes
Making
Louis shot it as an Edison one-reeler for the General Film program. Two Santa suits are the whole comic machine.
Preservation
A 16-minute print survives. Grapevine Video released it in 2010.
Notes
- The published Moving Picture World synopsis has Edward intercept a florist's orchids meant for Helen and get himself named Santa.
- In that synopsis Jack finds Helen's unfinished note, buys a ring and a second Santa suit, and closes with the line about the future Mrs. Santa Claus.
- The cast list also includes Edith Wright as Mrs. Mulligan, Mabel Dwight as Mrs. Norwood, Gladys Gane as Rachel Beck, and Florence Stover as Mrs. Beck.
- Wikisource carries the full Moving Picture World text.
- Grapevine Video's 2010 edition is a later home-video issue of the Edison short.
Scenes
- Edward hands Helen the orchids Jack ordered and is asked to play Santa.
- A second Santa suit arrives with Jack, and a desperate guest turns to theft at the party.
Also available
- Grapevine Video (2010)
Quotes
Allow me to present the future Mrs. Santa Claus.
