In 1994, Disney released what become one of the most surprising holiday hits ever, The Santa Clause. Tim Allen was doing pretty well for himself on the hit sitcom Home Improvement, so, of course, the next natural career move was to make a holiday movie.
For better or for worse, it's the role that Tim Allen was born to play. If not for his role as Buzz Lightyear, this would probably be his most infamous Disney role. But his character, Scott Calvin, while he does some great things along the way, isn't always the best role model. We thought of a few things that demonstrate why Charlie may or may not have been better off with him as his father.
Bad Dad: Didn't Plan Dinner Ahead
When we are first introduced to Charlie, we find out Christmas Eve is Scott's night with him as he has joint custody. After a small spat between him and his wife, Laura, Scott opens up a cookbook, disappointed to discover that in order to cook a turkey, it has to be in the oven for at least four hours.
It's mind-boggling that he has managed to obtain a turkey but clearly hasn't taken into account how long it will need to cook. Naturally, it would seem he decides to just cook the turkey at a higher temperature, only to watch his turkey go up in flames. C'mon, Scott. You get Charlie for less than 24 hours and this is the best you can do?
Good Dad: Took Charlie To Deliver Presents
When Charlie and Scott end up commandeering Santa's sleigh and reindeer, Scott is reluctant to put on the suit and play Santa with Charlie. But, after a house or two, Scott comes to his senses and realizes that if he really wants to do right by his son, he needs to do this.
Together, they make Christmas come to the rest of their city and they head to the North Pole. This may not have been Scott's most outstanding act as a dad, but at least it was a step in the right direction.
Bad Dad: Wouldn't Finish Reading The Night Before Christmas
After a disappointing dinner at Denny's, Scott returns home with Charlie and reads him the classic Christmas story, "The Night Before Christmas". At first, it appears that Charlie has fallen asleep about halfway through the story and Scott decides to speed through the rest and close the book.
To Scott's disappointment, Charlie rouses and begins asking questions about the story to which Scott derides and argues with him. Hey Scott, we know it's frustrating when your kid won't go to sleep, but the least you can do is finish reading the story without being rude. You only get one night with Charlie, for crying out loud!
Good Dad: Showed Up For Career Day
Sometime after Christmas, it's Career Day at Charlie's school. This would be the perfect moment in the movie for Scott to forget about it and try and make it at the last minute. Instead, he is there prepared to talk to Charlie's class about what he does for a living. The situation goes south as Charlie tries to convince the class that Scott is Santa Claus, but that's not Scott's fault and he does his best to play along without causing too much commotion. Again, maybe not Scott's highest point as a dad, but at least he was there.
Bad Dad: Killed Santa Claus
Yes, we know that there would virtually be no movie without this moment. We all would be taken aback if we saw a man dressed as Santa on our roof. But, instead of calling 9-1-1 when Santa falls, Scott begins rehearsing a story he thinks he'll have to explain if and when he runs into the cops.
You just caused the death of Santa Claus and all you can think about is potential pending litigation? Goodness, Scott. Way to traumatize Charlie.
Good Dad: Showed Up To Charlie's Soccer Game
As the film goes on, more opportunities for Scott to prove he's a dad that cares come up. This would be another perfect moment for Scott to fail, but instead, he shows up to Charlie's soccer game before Laura and Neal. Sadly, this situation doesn't go as planned as children inexplicably begin coming up to him treating him like Santa and asking him for Christmas presents.
When Laura and Neal show up, it all goes down the drain. Scott even offers to leave without making a scene, but instead, Laura and Neal decide to take Charlie and leave. Really, it's hard to see where Scott could have done better in this scenario.
Bad Dad: Tried To Pretend The North Pole Trip Wasn't Real
Not long after Career Day, Scott and Charlie are at an aquarium talking about their recent adventures. Charlie tries to get Scott to believe he's Santa, only to be told that none of what they experienced was real and to just pretend it didn't happen.
Eventually, Scott walks this plan back a little bit and tells Charlie to just keep it a secret, but really, Scott? Your idea for trying to resolve the situation was simply to gaslight your kid into thinking the experience you both had didn't happen? Not your best move.
Good Dad: Shot Down A Bad Toy Idea
Later in the movie, Scott attends a business meeting where a new toy commercial has been storyboarded and is being presented to the board. As the executive continues with his presentation, Scott begins deriding the idea for a toy Santa tank. He reminds the board that the toy has too many pieces, is too hard to put together, and breaks too easily.
Scott is definitely going against the board's wishes and suggests that the board put a better, simpler toy on the market. Presumably, this doesn't end up happening, but Scott is thinking of the kids at this moment instead of just being a greedy businessman.
Bad Dad: Kidnapped Charlie
After accepting the fact that he is, indeed, Santa Claus, Scott takes Charlie and they disappear with Bernard to the North Pole. This is shortly after it has just been decided that Scott will lose his custody privileges with Charlie. It was bold to just show up at Laura and Neal's place and ask to see Charlie, but it is something else to take Charlie without saying anything.
The editing is good at making time pass quickly enough that it seems like it's less than 24 hours before Charlie returns. However, Scott shows up on Thanksgiving, takes Charlie and doesn't return until Christmas Eve! Little wonder that Laura and Neal call the police to report Scott. Maybe he should have had to spend a little more time in the slammer before getting to see Charlie again.
Good Dad: Decided To Become Santa
Once he loses visitation rights with Charlie, Scott tries to see him and say goodbye. Charlie makes a last-ditch effort to make Scott come to grips with reality and realize he's the new Santa. Charlie throws the snowglobe he got at the North Pole to Scott, causing him to come to his senses and rise to the occasion.
It may have taken almost the entire movie, but at last, Scott accepts his new identity as Santa Clause and returns to the North Pole to carry out Christmas plans. Who knows what would have happened to Christmas if Scott had decided not to be Santa?