The Man in the Santa Claus Suit

The Man in the Santa Claus Suit

Year: 1979

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: English

Director: Corey Allen

TV MovieDrama

A reclusive costume‑shop owner lends a Santa suit to three strangers—a timid math teacher yearning the courage to propose, a down‑and‑out restaurateur on the run from the mob, and a frazzled political speechwriter who arrives with his estranged wife and son. Wearing the red outfit forces each man to confront his hopes and fears, altering their lives in unexpected ways.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979)

Trace every key event in The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Santa suit rental sets the wheels in motion

In a New York City costume shop, the enigmatic owner rents Santa suits to three men, setting the stage for a Christmas-season transformation. He later appears in multiple disguises—chauffeur, policeman, jeweler, hot dog vendor, taxi driver, floor walker, and choral director—to nudge each man toward a better life.

Evening New York City costume shop
2

Bob Willis proclaims his love at the fashion show

Bob Willis interrupts a fashion show to tell Polly Primer that he loves her, risking embarrassment to win her heart. The Santa-pattern behind the scenes nudges his confidence as he steps out of his shy routine and pursues true feeling.

Evening Fashion show, NYC
3

Polly reveals love and accepts the proposal

Polly admits she has loved Bob since the moment he spoke about math, changing the dynamic between them. She accepts his marriage proposal, choosing love over Rod Sanborn's wealth and status.

Evening NYC fashion show
4

Stan uses Santa disguise to hide from criminals

Stan Summerville, now homeless, rents a Santa suit to hide from Babyskin and Bruno Betinger. His friend Eddie distracts the criminals while Stan plans a risk-filled break-in at a wealthy residence.

Evening NYC area
5

Stan tries to rob the Dayton mansion

Stan bolts into the Dayton residence with the intent to burgle its occupants, guided by the belief that desperate times call for desperate actions. The Daytons, though wealthy, are initially unaware of the intruder as he navigates their opulent home.

Night Dayton mansion
6

Daytons show hospitality and nurse Stan to health

Dora and Dickie Dayton, once poor and now wealthy, remember hard work and extend kindness to Stan despite his earlier threat. Their butler Chandler knocks Stan unconscious, after which the couple nurses him back to health.

Following the confrontation Dayton mansion
7

Criminals close in on the mansion

Babyskin and Bruno locate Stan at the Dayton mansion, escalating the danger as law enforcement closes in. The intruder's presence forces the Dayton family to confront the consequences of his actions.

Night Dayton mansion
8

Melissa and Lance thwart the criminals

Melissa and Lance attack the criminals, helping to subdue them and allow police to move in. The raid culminates in Stan being rewarded for capturing the wanted criminals, with a substantial financial payout.

Night Dayton mansion
9

Gil Travis rents Santa suit to reach his son Terry

Gil Travis, a busy political aide, rents a Santa suit to surprise his estranged son Terry on Christmas Eve. His wife Linda is separated from him, reminding both of them that family matters more than work.

Christmas Eve Gil's home
10

Gil learns to put family first

During Christmas, Gil demonstrates a commitment to family by ignoring work long enough to tuck Terry into bed. He and Linda reminisce about the days when Gil was a struggling writer, underlining that happiness comes from love rather than money.

Evening Home
11

The shop owner reveals himself as Santa Claus

After guiding the lives of the three men, the costume shop owner reveals his true identity as Santa Claus. He returns to the night, confident that his interventions have sparked change.

Night New York City
12

Santa departs, leaving a city full of hope

Santa flies away aboard his sleigh, signaling a hopeful close to Christmas for the people he's touched. The film ends with a quiet sense of renewed belief in kindness and second chances.

Night Over New York City

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:06

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Man in the Santa Claus Suit

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