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Fredclausposter

The poster for the film's theatrical release.

FredClaus DVD

The cover to the DVD release.

Fred Claus is a 2007 Warner Bros. Pictures film starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti, directed by David Dobkin. It was produced by Sliver Pictures, in association with David Dobkin Productions and Jessie Nelson Productions.

Synopsis[]

A long time ago, in the Middle Ages, a woman gives birth to a baby. The woman, Mother Claus, calls her son Frederick over to meet his new brother, who she names Nicholas. Mother Claus lovingly calls the baby her little Saint Nick, while Fred promises to be the best big brother ever. The next few scenes show Fred and Nick growing up, particularly during the development of some Christmas traditions. First, during Nick's birthday, Fred makes a special journal with his brother's name on it as a present. After opening all of his gifts, Nick places them in a box and tells his family he is going to take them to the orphan boy who lives around the corner, because giving gifts brings him joy. Their parents are very pleased with their son, while Fred is angry that Nick gave away his thoughtful gift. Mother Claus tells Fred that he should be more like his brother, causing him to resent Nick.

Feeling his family does not understand him, Fred climbs a large tree in the woods to visit the only one who does understand him - Chirp-Chirp, a bird who lives in a birdhouse. As Fred confides to the bird about his problems, the tree suddenly falls down, crushing the birdhouse and causing Chirp-Chirp to leave. It is revealed that Nick cut down the tree because Fred liked the tree so much, and thought it would be a great idea to bring the tree inside and put gifts underneath for his sake. This is clearly the last straw, causing a permanent rift between Fred and Nick.

Cutting to present day, it is revealed that Nick becomes a saint due to all his good deeds, and he, his wife, and his immediate family are frozen in time, never to age. Nick has become the modern-day Santa Claus, giving gifts to people, while Fred runs a repo company to take them away. Fred goes to see his girlfriend, Wanda Blinkowski, who gets mad at Fred for forgetting that her birthday was tomorrow. She also references that for their anniversary last year he had dropped hints about the Eiffel Tower and having her take French lessons, only to give a bad gift rather than the implied trip to France. Fred promises that they'll be going to a new hotspot for her birthday, although he did not check out the restaurant, only naming the restaurant he sees on a billboard as a last-minute plan.

The next day, Fred plans to buy a property to open a gambling facility, but has to pay $50,000 by December 22 to secure the property. Attempting to raise the money, Fred grabs a Santa hat and a tin container and poses as a Salvation Army worker. When the real Salvation Army Santas confront him, a comical chase ensues, ending with Fred's arrest. Needing $5,000 bail, Fred tries to call Wanda, who doesn't answer because she is waiting for him at her birthday dinner, which is at a disgusting restaurant where men are watching sumo fights in the middle of the room. A policeman takes pity on Fred and allows him to make one more call. Fred calls Nick and tries to convince him to send $55,000. Nick almost agrees, but Mrs. Claus tells him to use "tough love". As a result, Nick agrees to send $5,000 immediately to pay for the bail, but says that Fred has to go to the North Pole and work for him to earn the remaining $50,000.

Back at his apartment, Fred is packing up when in comes a boy named Samuel "Slam" Gibbons, who obviously doesn't have a stable living situation. He talks about wanting a puppy for Christmas, but Fred tells him not to count on others for things. Later on, Family Services shows up because his home is unfit, and he is moved to an orphanage. Soon after, Fred is brought to the North Pole by Nick's head elf, Willy, who has a crush on Santa's Little Helper, Charlene, although she can't even remember his name. Nick welcomes Fred warmly and shows him around, including the naughty/nice room, which has a list of the Top 10 most naughty children at any given time. There is also a humongous snow globe in the room, where one can see if someone is being naughty or nice. Fred asks to see Wanda, and we see his girlfriend talking to a guy on the street whom she gave a parking ticket to. The man asks Wanda if she has a boyfriend and she says no (obviously upset that Fred stood her up); she declines his offer for dinner but takes his business card. Nick shows Fred where he will be working, looking at children's requests and determining if they are naughty or nice.

As Fred starts working, the Clauses meet Clyde Northcutt, an efficiency expert who has come to assess the situation at the North Pole and will shut them down if they get three strikes by Christmas. Back at the workshop, Fred, annoyed that the DJ elf keeps playing "Here Comes Santa Claus" on a loop, locks him in a cupboard, puts on the song "Rubberneckin'", and convinces the elves to join in the dance party. Nick, Mrs. Claus, and Clyde walk in on this, and Clyde says that Nick's inability to control his staff is Strike 1. That night, Nick convinces Fred to come to dinner with their parents and Clyde, and it's clear that Fred hasn't spoken to his parents in years. When Fred's mother continues praising Nick, Fred storms out and meets Willy at Frosty's Tavern. Willy discusses his lack of self-confidence regarding Charlene, and Fred tries teaching him to dance to the song "Beast of Burden". Unfortunately, Charlene enters the tavern just as Willy falls on his face, and he runs off embarrassed.

Later, as everyone else is asleep, Clyde sneaks into Fred's office and uses a shredder to destroy many of Fred's naughty/nice records, framing Fred for the infraction, and marks it as Strike 2. Later, Fred is shocked to see that Sam is now the #1 naughty kid. Sam is shown arguing with the other children in the orphanage, saying the same types of things that Fred said to him earlier. Fred concludes that children aren't truly naughty, but are simply either scared or misunderstood, and he furiously marks everyone as nice. Nick quickly learns about this and confronts Fred, saying the elves can't possibly make enough gifts for every child if they are all marked "nice". The two end up fighting, resulting in Nick injuring his back. Frustrated with his entire family, Fred leaves the North Pole with his $50,000 as soon as they reach December 22, but Nick gives him a present to take with him. Fred waits until he gets home to open the gift, which is a birdhouse, a replacement for the one on the tree, and a note from Nick, saying he's sorry for sawing down the tree. Confused about his feelings, Fred enters a Siblings Anonymous meeting, where he meets the brothers of Alec Baldwin, Sylvester Stallone, Bill Clinton and other famous look-alikes. Bill's brother makes a speech about how, even though he could have ruined everything for his brother whom he resented, he chose to be a good brother and let him be successful.

Back at the North Pole, it looks like Christmas is lost: Nick can hardly get out of bed because of his bad back, and Clyde has given him Strike 3. However, before the deliveries can start, Fred shows up to help, having used his money to charter a plane, boat, and sled dogs to return to the North Pole. Without Clyde's knowledge, Fred and the elves work tirelessly to make at least one toy for each child, with no reference to if they're naughty or nice. However, Nick still can't drive the sleigh, and only a Claus can deliver the toys, so Fred decides to do it. With Willy's help in the sleigh (and elves back at the North Pole serving as mission control), Fred starts delivering presents around the world (including giving a puppy to Sam and telling him to care about others), but has to get back to the North Pole before sunrise; otherwise, Christmas will be permanently shut down. Halfway through the night, Clyde pulls the electricity at the workshop so that the elves can no longer give directions to Fred and Willy. While they try to finish delivering the gifts, Nick goes to talk to Clyde, finally realizing why he was holding such a grudge. It turns out that as a child, Clyde had always wanted a Superman cape, but had been on the naughty list. Nick gives Clyde the cape he had always wanted, ending the grudge between the two. Clyde tries to turn the electricity back on, but it still won't work, leaving Fred and Willy on their own, sightless in the sky.

The next morning, the elves wait nervously at Frosty's Tavern, assuming the worst. Willy and Fred return, successful in their efforts. Willy, with renewed confidence, goes to kiss Charlene, who can now remember his name and returns the sentiment. With Christmas saved, Fred returns to Wanda's house, but she is still furious with him. However, Fred feels renewed hope when he learns she never met the other guy for dinner, and gives her a present - a teddy bear holding a French flag. Fred and Wanda get back together, and use the sleigh to travel to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower. Clyde now works at the North Pole as a consultant, and helps the elves to meet quota without problems. Finally, we see Fred and Wanda meeting with Nick, Mrs. Claus, and Mother and Father Claus for dinner, showing that they've reconciled as a family. In the last shot, we see Chirp-Chirp landing on the birdhouse right outside.

Songs[]

Title(s) Performed by
"Santa Claus is Back in Town"
"Rubberneckin'" (Paul Oakenfold Remix)
Elvis Presley
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (from The Wizard of Oz)
"Jingle Bells"
"Surfin' Bird" The Trashmen
"What a Wonderful World" Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole
"Medley" Jingle Cats
"Christmas Time is Here" [Instrumental Bridge]
(from A Charlie Brown Christmas)
"Tomorrow" (from Annie)
"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" Doris Day
"Sleigh Ride" The Ronettes
"Fred's Factory Dance" Matter Music
"Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" Dean Martin
"I Want You for Christmas" Russ Morgan and His Orchestra
"Beast of Burden" The Rolling Stones
Selections from Mousehunt (1998):
  • "End Credits"
  • "Home Sweet Dump"
  • "Caesar's Big Drag"
  • "Flaming Doo"
  • "Main Title"||Alan Silvestri (composer)
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" The Jackson 5
Selections from Cheaper by the Dozen (2003):
  • "Kids Miss the Old Life"
  • "Even the Dog is Homesick"||Christophe Beck (composer)
"Christmas Wrapping" The Waitresses
"La Vie en Rose"
"Silent Night" Sinéad O'Connor
"Auld Lang Syne" Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
"My Back Pages" The Byrds
"My First Noel" Leigh Nash
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" Mark Turk with Matter Music and Gaby Moreno
"Ludacrismas" Ludacris

Soundtrack album track listing[]

Fredclaussoundtrack
  1. "Jingle Bells" - The Singing Dogs
  2. "Santa Claus is Back in Town" - Elvis Presley
  3. "Sleigh Ride" - The Ronettes
  4. "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" - Doris Day
  5. "They Must Have Been A Good Way" - Christophe Beck
  6. "I Want You For Christmas" - Russ Morgan and His Orchestra
  7. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"
  8. "Christmas Wrapping" - The Waitresses
  9. "Silent Night"
  10. "Auld Lang Syne" - Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians
  11. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World"
  12. "The First Noel" - Leigh Nash
  13. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - Mark Turk with Matter Music, and Gaby Moreno
  14. "Suite From Fred Claus" - Christophe Beck

Cast[]

Actor/actress Character(s)
Vince Vaughn Frederick "Fred" Claus
Paul Giamatti Nick 'Santa' Claus
John Michael Higgins
Jorge Rodero (movements)
Willie
Miranda Richardson Annette Claus
Rachel Weisz Wanda Blinkowski
Kathy Bates Mother Claus
Trevor Peacock Papa Claus
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
Michael Mbhele (movements)
DJ Donnie
Elizabeth Banks Charlene
Jeremy Swift Bob Elf
Elizabeth Berrington Linda Elf
Kevin Spacey Clyde
Rio Hackford Leon
Bobb'e J. Thompson Samuel 'Slam' Gibbons
Allan Corduner Dr. Goldfarb
Jordon Hull (Age 6)
Liam James (Age 12
Young Fred
Theo Stevenson Young Nick Age 6
Allison Sparrow Girl with plasma TV
Fred Zimmerman Caroler
Peter McCabe Scary thug
Jonathan Cullen Guard
Wesley Chu Bonsai Chef
Claudia Michelle Wallace
Guy Massey
Child Services agents
Gabriel Pimentel Head
Hassan Chikhaoui
Vitalie Babara
Secret Service elves
Morgane Monjauze Molly Gordon
Caden Niewolny Timmy Jackson
Angela Curran Old woman elf
Celia Henebury Girl elf
Justin McEwen
Tyler Kelley
Dylan Minnette
Orphanage kids
Anne White Midwife
Patrick Zielinski Cab Driver
William Dick Group Leader
Frank Stallone
Roger Clinton
Stephen Baldwin
Jean-Yves Thual Mission Control elf
Burn Gorman
Orlando Seale
Charlie Condou
Tamara Aranovskaya
Natalia Avraimova
Irina Cheplyshkina
Shamil Galeev
Afiya Izmailova
Anton Khardarkevich
Zinaida Khardarkevich
Viktor Kharur
Zinaida Kharuk
Tatyana
Tatiana Lakhmytkina
Valentina
Vano Miranyan
Nadezda Miranova
Tetyana Moskalenko
Andriy Nagiyen
Firaya Nutfullia
Alexander Pavlov
Tatiana Pavlova
Antanina Satsura
Nadiia Shchava
Svetlana Shishkevich
Galina Shurygina
Irina Skripnichenko
Nina Sorokoletova
Victor Sovpenets
Veronika Starostina
Inna Sushkova
Mykola Yevdokymov
Alxsey Zalatin
Elves
Melody Hollis Timmy Jackson's Sister
Mike Bacarella Wanda's Neighbor
Bert Matias Eskimo
Rusty Goffe Elf
Frosty the Barman
Pete Bonner Bonner Elf
Don Goodman
Ramona Giambalvo
Christ Kopoulos
Jeannette Francis
Patrick Morris
Money Donors
Douglas Colber
Debra Congram
Deanna Edgerson
Robert H. Frenier
Johanna K. Hauki
Beth Kondrat
Erich K. Kurschat
Anthony D. Potempa
Paul E. Reineck
Julie Simms
Singers
Tracy M. Snell (Mother)
Antinko Zanjelo Waddell (Father)
Kiara Allyce Greene (Sister
Slam's Adoptive Family
Uncredited
Jason Abustan
Tommy Bartlett
Michael Cook
Giota Trakas
Upscale shoppers
Alexander Almaguer Boy
Lillian Almaguer Girl
Amy Amir Muslim Woman
Darlene Benigno
Chad Meyer
Chicagoians
Blayne Bennett Happy Elf
John Biemeret Repo Man
Suzy Brack
Megan Renee Burgess
Christopher James Casper
Evyenia Constantine
Jessica Doyle
Libby Pedersen
George Wood
Joshua Zumhagen
Shoppers
Leo McHugh Carroll Giggling boy
Julia Copeland
Thomas Kosik
Tim Krueger
Christmas shoppers
Ethan Cutkosky Carl
Rock De Augustine Upscale Michigan Avenue Shopper
Jay Disney
Nick Ferrin
Marc Radz
Businessmen
Nick Doetsch Celebrity sibling
Mark Falvo
Amit Shah
Starbucks Customers
Ian Houghton Clyde Northcutt
Shelby Howe Toy Store Patron
Joseph Lazicki Sibling Member
Rob Lok Knife Juggler
Noelle Lynn Holiday shopper
Joseph Mazurk Background Santa
Abi McKenzie Kid waiting to see Santa
Jeffrey Dean Morgan Older man who gets parking ticket
Isabella Murad Kid in toy store #3
William Nero Jr. Child in line
Ernest Pierce Stockbroker
Kevin Pitcairn Navy officer
Christopher Popio Cab driver
Michelle Shields Mall Shopper
Spo Shopping Family of Four
Ashland Thomas Pizza restaurant patron
Phillip Tolley Elf 39
Adrian Turika Frat Boy
Max Zuppa Kid #1

External links[]

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Warner Bros.
Movies
Warner Bros. Pictures Christmas in ConnecticutGremlinsLethal WeaponNational Lampoon's Christmas VacationBatman ReturnsJack FrostThe Polar ExpressKiss Kiss Bang BangFred Claus
New Line Cinema The Long Kiss GoodnightElfThe Nativity StoryFour ChristmasesA Very Harold & Kumar 3D ChristmasThe Conjuring 2Collateral BeautyShazam!8-Bit Christmas
Blue Ribbon Content A Christmas Story 2A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish
Warner Bros. Television National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island AdventureThe Year Without a Santa ClausChristmas on the Square
Live-action television episodes
Friends and Joey "The One With the Monkey" • "The One With Phoebe's Dad" • "The One Where Rachel Quits" • "The One With the Girl from Poughkeepsie" • "The One With the Inappropriate Sister" • "The One With the Routine" • "The One With All the Candy" • "The One With the Holiday Armadillo" • "The One With Monica's Boots" • "The One with Ross's Step Forward" • "The One With the Creepy Holiday Card" • "The One With Christmas in Tulsa" • "Joey and the Plot Twist" • "Joey and the Christmas Party"
DC Comics "Season's Greedings" • "Home is Where the Hurt Is" • "Twas the Night Before Mxymas" • "Lexmas" • "Gemini" • "Year's End" • "Three Ghosts"
Other shows "A Semi-Merry Christmas" • "Mel, the Magi" • "Mel's Christmas Carol" • "'Tis the Season to Be Jealous" • "A Christmas Story" (Growing Pains) • "The Kid" • "It's Not Easy Being Green" • "A Christmas Story" (Just the Ten of Us) • "Santa Goes Downtown" • "Let It Snow" • "The Night Court Before Christmas" • "Santa on the Lam" • "Have Yourself a Merry Winslow Christmas" • "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Urkel" • "Christmas is Where the Heart is" • "Miracle on Elm Street" • "Fa La La La Laagghh!" • "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" • "Deck the Malls" • "The Christmas Show" • "The Man Who Canceled Christmas" • "Christmas Day-Ja Vu" • "A Country Christmas" • "The Gift" • "A Miracle Happens Here" • "Homeless for the Holidays" • "Do You See What I See" • "The Miracle Worker" • "How the Finch Stole Christmas" • "The Greatest of Gifts" • "I'll Be Home For Christmas" • "Hindsight" • "Twas the Night" • "All About Christmas Eve" • "City of Mercy" • "Meet the Cuban Parents" • "Christmas Punch" • "A Clear and Presentless Danger" • "George is Being Elfish and Christ-Misses His Family" • "Santa's Secret Stuff" • "A Very Supernatural Christmas" • "The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis" • "The Maternal Congruence" • "The Santa Simulation" • "The Cooper Extraction" • "The Clean Room Infiltration" • "Christmas" (The Middle) • "A Simple Christmas" • "A Christmas Gift" • "Christmas Help" • "The Christmas Tree" • "The Christmas Wall" • "Not So Silent Night" • "A Very Marry Christmas" • "The Christmas Miracle" • "It's Beginning to Stink a Lot Like Christmas" • "Jolly Red Elf" • "The World Ain't Over 'Till It's Over" • "Santa's Village of the Damned" • "Walnuts and Demerol" • "Warning, It's Dirty" • "One False Move, Zimbabwe!" • "Give Santa a Tail-Hole" • "On Vodka, On Soda, On Blender, On Mixer" • "Family, Bublé, Deep-Fried Turkey" • "Home for Christmas" • "Jingle Bell Glock" • "The Walk-Out" • "Yule Never Know" • "Merry Ex-Mas" • "A Very Carrie Christmas" • "Veronica's Christmas Song" • "Veronica's Secret Santa" • "An Echolls Family Christmas" • "One Angry Veronica"
Animated productions
Looney Tunes and related shows The Shanty Where Santy Claus LivesBedtime for SnifflesGift WrappedBugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales • "It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special" • "'Twas the Day Before Christmas" • "Jingle Boo" • "The Great Wakkorotti: The Holiday Concert" • "A Christmas Plotz" • "Little Drummer Warners" • "No Time for Christmas" • "A Pinky and the Brain Christmas" • "It Happened One Night Before Christmas" • "In Arms Way" • "The Twelve Days of Christmas" • Christmas Eve with Yakko, Wakko & Dot • "Noel" • "The Christmas Tree" • "The Banks of the Delaware River" • "Feather Christmas" • "Yule Be Sorry" • "Christmas in July" • Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas • "A Christmas Carol" • "Tis the Seasoning" • "Winter Blunderland" • "The Legend of Burrito Monday" • Bugs Bunny's 24-Carrot Holiday Special • "Looneyburg Lights" • "How the Brain Thieved Christmas" • "Santamaniacs"
DC Comics "Christmas With the Joker" • "Holiday Knights" • "Frozen Out" • "Comfort and Joy" • "Storybook Holiday" • "Invasion of the Secret Santas!" • "Second Christmas" • "The True Meaning of Christmas" • "Halloween v Christmas" • "Teen Titans Save Christmas" • "Party Animal" • "Beast Boy on a Shelf" / "Christmas Crusaders" • "A Holiday Story"
Hanna-Barbera co-productions "A Dickens of a Christmas" • A Scooby-Doo! Christmas • "Ho Ho Horrors" • Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker TaleScooby-Doo! Haunted HolidaysTom and Jerry: Santa's Little Helpers • "The Plight Before Christmas" • "Scary Christmas" • "Scroogey Doo" • "It's a Wacky Life" • "Dashing Thru the Snow" • "Signed, Sealed and Wacky" • "The Spirit of Frostnos" • Tom and Jerry: Snowman's Land
Other cartoons "Yuletide and Redtide" • A Cool Like That Christmas • "Santa Mask" • The Polar Express • "The Match Before Xmas" • A Miser Brothers' Christmas • "Da Grinchy Code / Duck" • "FROST / Undercover Claus" • "Fantastic Four Christmases / Red and White Collar" • Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas • "Christmas in Oz" • "Top of the Naughty List" • "Mandora Saves Christmas" • Beebo Saves Christmas
Albums
Have Yourself a Looney Tunes ChristmasA Hip-Hopera ChristmasMerry Christmas: Animaniacs & Looney TunesThe Looney Tunes Kwazy ChristmasA Looney Tunes Sing-A-Long Christmas
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