Watch Santa and Pete

Santa and Pete is a heartwarming Christmas movie that was released in 1999. The film stars Hume Cronyn as Santa Claus and James Earl Jones as Pete. Flex Alexander also appears in the movie as a character named Ray. The movie is set in New York City in the year 1969. It explores the idea that Santa Claus is a real person who has been living among humans for centuries, spreading joy and cheer to children around the world. In this version of the story, Santa Claus passes down his title and responsibilities to a new person every few hundred years, and in 1969, it's time for him to retire and pass the torch to a new Santa.

Santa has to find a suitable replacement, and he sets his sights on Pete, an elderly man who has been struggling to find purpose since he retired from his job as a mailman. Santa and Pete have a long-standing friendship, and Santa sees in Pete the kind heart, strength, and generosity that is necessary to be the next Santa Claus.

But Pete is reluctant to take on the role of Santa. He's worried about the weight of the responsibility, and he's also hesitant to leave behind his family and his life as he knows it. Santa encourages him to think about the long-term benefits of the job, and Pete begins to see that being Santa could bring him more joy and purpose than anything he's ever done before.

At the same time, there are some obstacles that Santa and Pete have to overcome. One of the biggest obstacles is a group of greedy business owners who are working to shut down a local toy factory. The toy factory has been struggling to stay afloat, and if it shuts down, it will mean many job losses for the community. Santa and Pete work together to come up with a plan to save the factory, and in doing so, they inspire the community to come together and support each other during the holiday season.

The movie is filled with themes of love, family, and community. It's a touching reminder of the power of kindness and generosity, especially during the holiday season. The performances by Hume Cronyn, James Earl Jones, and Flex Alexander are all excellent, and the supporting cast provides some really memorable and heartwarming moments.

Overall, Santa and Pete is a wonderful Christmas movie that is perfect for families. It's a heartwarming and uplifting story that is sure to leave audiences feeling joyful and inspired.

Santa and Pete is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.