you really have to wonder what nbc and the creator of this film be think adapt the beloved animated special into this live action film . be they hop to expand the story ( adapt from phyllis mcginley novel ) . then why be it that the original version accomplish more storytelling in a one hour special than this movie do in two . this adaptation with a strange credit of teleplay and television story by larry wilson and tom martin go off on so many tangent and in so many direction it only make pass reference to the plot of the original novel and rankin bass special it make one wonder why they bother to pay royalty to the original creator at all . perhaps it be so they could include the famous i be mr. heat or snow miser song and but this rare moment of energy in this movie be rather jar consider that this be not otherwise a musical and the rest of the score be miss . the cast be excellent across the board and though the lovely delta burke be way too young for the thankless role of mrs. claus and the prime mover of the plot in the original but reduced to look concerned and expound exposition here . you know you be in trouble when a film include john goodman and eddie griffin and harvey firestein and michael mckean ( and a scene steal carol kane ) and be still dull . an almost complete waste of time and a scouring of a terrific story . now go and watch the rankin or bass original .