Mrs. Santa Claus

Angela Lansbury shines (and sings!) in this occasionally labored, but mostly enjoyable, made-for-TV holiday musical. While testing out a new route, Mrs. Claus (Lansbury) experiences sleigh trouble and has to touch down in turn-of-the-century New York where she becomes involved in the fight for womens' right to vote and child labor laws (she's temporarily employed at a Dickensian toy-making factory where street urchins are mistreated and exploited). Although the music is somewhat repetitious, I am humming it as I type these words. Good family fun. Recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review--Nov. 18, 2003--Artisan, 91 min., G, $14.98--Making its debut on DVD, the 1997 made-for-TV Mrs. Santa Claus features a disappointingly soft and occasionally dark and grainy transfer--serviceable, but no better--and an original 10-minute "making-of" featuring cast and crew. Bottom line: charming film; less-than-sterling DVD release.]