Believe it or not, there was a comic book version of this holiday "classic" flick...
...in 1966, from Dell Comics!
Next Friday: Santa's trip to Mars...
(...not to be confused with Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars!)
The writer/adaptor is unknown, but the art is by Bob Jenney, who did quite a few movie and tv adaptations for Dell.
The actual title of the comic is Dell Movie Classic #725. Not only was it sold on newsstands, but it was packaged with an LP album of the movie's audio including dialogue, sound effects and (shudder) the earworm-creating theme song! (Remember, they didn't have streaming services, DVDs/Blu Rays, or even videocassettes back in the 1960s!)
Starring a host of tv and b-movie actors including handsome-but-wooden Leonard Hicks as the benevolent Martian leader Kimar, 60s villain/voiceover artist Vincent Beck (who did lots of work for Irwin Allen's sci-fi shows) as the film's mustache-twirling, scenery-chewing Martian villain, Voldar, and John Call as a pretty damn convincing cuddly Santa Claus, the film is classic kiddie matinee programming at its' retro campy best!
The plot's pretty simple.
The children of Mars are in a funk.
The adult Martians deduce it's due to the children's strict and sterile upbringing, and that to "normalize" them, the kids must have fun!
And what could be more fun than celebrating Christmas?
But, to do a proper Christmas, you need a Santa Claus!
Thus, the Martians journey to Earth to kidnap Santa Claus and force him to create a Christmas celebration on Mars!
Then, as they used to say in TV Guide's plot listings, hilarity ensues! (well, sorta)
As an example of low-budget filmmaking, it's amazingly-effective.
Every penny (what few of them they had) is up on the screen.
The costuming and Santa's Workshop and Mars sets are as good as those of tv shows of the period.
(The Martian robot is probably the weakest element from a design and execution standpoint, but, hey, nobody's perfect!)
There's extensive use of military stock footage (from Dr. Strangelove, no less).
And, the idea to utilize the then-current Wham-O Air Blaster toy guns as Martian weapons was either a stroke of marketing genius or clever use of limited funds. Either way, sales of the guns shot thru the roof after the film hit the kiddie matinee circuit!
If you're between 3-9 years old, the flick's a lot of fun.
If you're between 10 and whatever the local drinking age is, it'll drive you nuts, especially the theme song! And to prove it...here it is!
If you're over the local drinking age...do so before watching! It's available on a host of public domain DVDs and BluRays as well as one of the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 snarkfests.
BTW: The image at top is the cover of the comic book tie-in. There was also a 45rpm single of the theme, a spoken-word LP album of the movie's dialogue (which included the comic book), and a novelization, all of which are HTF...and expensive when you do find them!
Be Here Next Friday,
when we begin our re-presentation of the comic book adaptation of the movie!
Now I can't get that damn theme out of my head..."Hoo-ray for Santy Claus..."
You may not think of Kris Kringle as a "Space Hero"...but he is!
He's the Jolly Old Elf in a red suit!
They are BIG Green Men from Mars with an even BIGGER robot!
Before Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, they were the ingredients for the weirdest Christmas movie ever!
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians was filmed in 1964 in that bastion of cinema greatness, New York's Long Island, in an unused airplane hanger! Starring a host of tv and b-movie actors including handsome-but-wooden Leonard Hicks as the benevolent Martian leader Kimar, 60s villain/voiceover artist Vincent Beck (who did lots of work for Irwin Allen's sci-fi shows) as the film's mustache-twirling, scenery-chewing Martian villain, Voldar, and John Call as a pretty damn convincing Santa Claus, the flick is touted these days as the debut of future talentless chantuse Pia Zadora as Kimar's daughter Girmar.
(Thankfully, she has rather limited screen time.)
The plot's pretty simple.
The children of Mars are in a funk.
The adult Martians deduce it's due to the children's strict and sterile upbringing, and that to "normalize" them, the kids must have fun!
And what could be more fun than celebrating Christmas?
But, to do a proper Christmas, you need a Santa Claus!
Thus, the Martians journey to Earth to kidnap Santa Claus and force him to create a Christmas celebration on Mars!
Then, as they used to say in TV Guide's plot listings, hilarity ensues! (well, sorta)
As an example of low-budget filmmaking, it's amazingly-effective.
Every penny (what few of them they had) is up on the screen.
The costuming and Santa's Workshop and Mars sets are as good as those of tv shows of the period.
(The Martian robot is probably the weakest element from a design and execution standpoint, but, hey, nobody's perfect!)
There's extensive use of military stock footage (from Dr. Strangelove, no less).
And, the idea to utilize the Wham-O Air Blaster toy guns as Martian weapons was either a stroke of marketing genius or clever use of limited funds. Either way, sales of the guns shot thru the roof after the film hit the kiddie matinee circuit!
If you're between 3-9 years old, the flick's a lot of fun.
If you're between 10 and whatever the local drinking age is, it'll drive you nuts, especially the theme song!
If you're over the local drinking age, do so before watching! (You''ll thank me later...) It's available on a host of public domain DVDs and BluRays as well as one of the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 snarkfests on YouTube.
And you just knew we at Atomic Kommie Comics™ were going to include Santa Claus Conquers the Martians in our Cool Christmas collection on stuff including kid and adult sweatshirts, hoodies, mugs and coasters, tree ornaments, throw blankets and snugglies, and greeting cards!
BTW: The image is from the comic book tie-in. There was also a 45rpm single of the theme, a spoken-word LP album of the movie's dialogue, and a novelization, all of which are HTF...and expensive when you do find them!
How do we communicate our holiday wishes to friends and family in this high-tech, impersonal age?
Why, Christmas Cards, of course...and not the e-mail type! (You ever try to hang an e-card on the tree or put it on the mantelpiece?)
Remember how, after Thanksgiving, you'd look forward to getting those envelopes with colorful Yuletide cards (usually with lots of handwritten news and in-jokes from the sender!)
Remember the warmth from loved ones you'd feel from those?
Remember how you'd create displays on the mantlepiece or stairs with the koolest of those cards?
Well, more than ever, it's time to bring back that warm-and-fuzzy feeling!
All are exclusive designs not available anywhere else!
All are available as singles for $4.99, 10-packs for $19.99 ($1.99 per card), and 20-packs for $29.99 ($1.49 per card). Talk about a Christmas miracle!
Order now, so you'll be able to send them out around (or just after) Thanksgiving!
...ain'tThe Nightmare Before Christmas! It's (easily) this one!
He's THE Jolly Old Elf in a Red Suit!
They're (no so) Little Green Men...with a BIG Robot!
Want to see what happens when they meet?
Read the HTF comic book adaptation HERE! (And if you're gonna complain about me promoting Christmas stuff before Halloween, all I can say is... "Have you been in any retail establishment in the past month?")
In a desperate attempt to stimulate their lethargic and unmotivated children, the Martians decide to create a Christmas celebration on Mars. But, the idea lacks one vital element...the real Santa Claus! The benevolent Martian leader, Kimar, leads an expedition to Earth, where the aliens invade Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Transporting Kris Kringle (and a couple of Earth kids they ran into) to the Red Planet, the Martians build a totally-automated factory to produce enough toys in time for Christmas. But, the big green men are divided about Santa's presence on Mars is actually helping their offspring. One dissident group, lead by Voldar, sabotages the factory and kidnaps who they think is Santa, but is actually Kimar's bumbling aide, Dropo in a spare Santa suit...
Now, as a special early Christmas present...
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians:
the Motion Picture!
(Actually the MST3K version condensed down to 10 minutes!)
BTW, for those expecting the conclusion to last Friday's Christmas adventure with Barbie, that will be here on Christmas Day!
In a desperate attempt to stimulate their lethargic and unmotivated children, the Martians decide to create a Christmas celebration on Mars. But, the idea lacks one vital element...the real Santa Claus! The Martian leader, Kimar, leads an expedition to Earth, where they find a pair of children who direct them to Santa's workshop at the North Pole. The aliens and their robot invade the workshop, stun the elves and Mrs Claus, and depart, taking both Santa and the children with them...
Will Voldar realize his mistake?
And if so, will Droppo survive?
Will Santa get back to Earth in time for Christmas?
Be here on Christmas Eve for the answers to these and other questions in the thrilling conclusion!
Believe it or not, there was a comic book version of this holiday "classic" flick...
...from Dell Comics in 1966!
Next week: Santa's trip to Mars...
(...not to be confused with Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars!)
The writer/adaptor is unknown, but the art is by Bob Jenney, who did quite a few movie and tv adaptations for Dell.
The actual title of the comic is Dell Movie Classic #725. Not only was it sold on newsstands, but it was packaged with an LP album of the movie's audio including dialogue, sound effects and (shudder) the earworm-creating theme song! (Remember, they didn't have streaming services, DVDs/Blu Rays, or even videocassettes back in the 1960s!)
