Santa Jr.

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}} {{More plot|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox television | image = Santa, Jr..jpg | alt = | caption = | based_on = | writer = Marc Hershon | screenplay = | story = | director = Kevin Connor | starring = Lauren Holly Judd Nelson Nick Stabile Ed Gale | narrator = | music = Ken Thorne | country = United States | language = English | producer = Wendy Winks Kyle Clark Kevin Bocarde | cinematography = Doug Milsome | editor = Jennifer Jean Cacavas | runtime = 100 minutes | company = an Alpine Medien production in association with Larry Levinson Productions | budget = | network = ABC Family | released = {{Start date|2002|12|06}} }} '''''Santa Jr.''''' is a 2002 American made-for-television romantic comedy Christmas film starring Lauren Holly and Judd Nelson. It premiered on Hallmark Channel in 2002. As of 2009, it was shown in the 25 Days of Christmas programming block on ABC Family, but it was not part of the block in 2010.

==Plot== While delivering toys, Santa's son (Nick Stabile) is arrested for trespassing because another person impersonating Santa is burglarizing homes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crump |first=William D. |title=How the Movies Saved Christmas. 228 Rescues from Clausnappers, Sleigh Crashes, Lost Presents and Holiday Disasters |date=May 11, 2017 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-1-4766-6488-0 |location=Jefferson, NC |pages=232–233}}</ref> Dispirited, he turns for help to a public defender (Lauren Holly).

==Cast== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} *Lauren Holly as Susan Flynn *Judd Nelson as Darryl Bedford *Nick Stabile as Chris Kringle Jr. *Ed Gale as Stan *Diane Robin as Pietra Nero *Jaime P. Gomez as Earl Hernandez *Kimberly Scott as Mrs. Taylor *Charlie Robinson as Judge Wheeler *Eugene M. Davis as DiGregorio *George Wallace as Norm Potter {{div col end}}

==Reviews== Scott Hettrick of the Entertainment News Service called the movie "The first delightful cable Christmas movie of the season", but added that "There is little of substance here, just lightweight holiday fare to start the season off with jolly good feelings".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=30 November 2002 |title=It's Santa Jr.'s turn |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |page=74 |agency=Entertainment News Service}}</ref> ''The Movie Scene'' called it "a pleasant little Christmas movie which if it crops up on TV and you need something to amuse the children it will do the job and you might enjoy a few bits as well. But it isn't the sort of Christmas movie which you will remember a great deal of a day or so later".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Son of Santa |url=https://www.themoviescene.co.uk/reviews/santa-jr-2002/santa-jr-2002.html |access-date=26 October 2021 |publisher=themoviescene.co.uk}}</ref> ''Complex.com'' ranked the movie 2nd in a list "The 15 Most Ridiculous Hallmark Movies Of All Time". "Anyone with even a shred of taste should stay away from this film", the writer reasoned.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Serafino |first=Jason |date=18 November 2012 |title=The 15 Most Ridiculous Hallmark Movies Of All Time |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/11/15-most-ridiculous-hallmark-movies/ |access-date=26 October 2021 |publisher=Complex.com}}</ref>

==See also== * List of Christmas films

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title|0338410}}

Category:2002 television films Category:2002 films Category:2002 romantic comedy films Category:American Christmas comedy films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:American Christmas television films Category:ABC Family original films Category:Films directed by Kevin Connor Category:2000s Christmas comedy films Category:Films scored by Ken Thorne Category:2002 English-language films Category:2002 American films Category:2000s Christmas films Category:English-language Christmas comedy films Category:English-language romantic comedy films Category:Christmas romance films