Watch Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.  In this 1964 flick, martian children are enraptured with Earth programs and Santa Claus, so much so they do not eat or sleep, and this causes the leader of Mars to seek the advice of the planet elder, who tells them that martian children, who have never had fun, “need a Santa Claus”.  The leader then decides to kidnap Santa and bring him back to Mars.  Since the film was made during the Cold War, there are even references to the Soviets when the martian ship is noticed on US radar.

The film is beyond campy and cheesy.  It’s a wonder these actors ever kept straight faces especially either wearing or interacting with the martian costumes, which includes a scuba mask upside down, and delivering lines like “Mrs. Claus has positively identified the kidnappers as martians”.  There is plenty of sad visual effects as well, including an overwhelming use of stock footage and the most pathetic polar bear costume you’ve ever seen along with a robot that looks like a ten year old made it out of the old washing machine box and some duct tape.

The perk and, in my opinion, stunning thing about Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is that a good majority of the furniture in the martian homes is very modern and  includes many highly sought after mid-century furnishings, including Jacobson’s famous Egg Chair and Saarinen tables.  However not even that can save this mind-numbing flick.  The best way to watch Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is with Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of the film, which offers up witty retorts to some of the embarrassingly bad acting and keep you laughing.

There is no doubt that the film is the epitome of the kitchy B-Movies of the 1960s, and you enjoy those movies that are “so bad, they’re good” you’re sure to love Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

Well, I can now say that I am done with my final fall term; two finals and the completion of my 25 page essay examining Portland’s vice racket in the 1940s and 50s.  It nearly killed me.  I was up until 4:15 am finishing it up.  I will not be posting it until I receive a grade though, which I hope is soon.  And now that I’m out of the fray, I can finally focus on Christmas related stuff.

As always, I put up my aluminum Christmas tree.  I chose to do all turquoise balls.  And this year, I found some atom ornaments, and put the turquoise colored one up as my “star”.  I wanted a floating effect, so I put a hook in the ceiling and hung it with some thread.  Pretty nifty, if I do say so myself!

At my dad’s, we put up eight, which isn’t all of them.  We have 14 in total.  But, we realized if we put anymore in, there wouldn’t be room for people to sit come Christmas day.  I plan to have at least two once Patrick and I get a larger place.

Meanwhile, I’m rushing to get my Christmas shopping done.  I’ve gotten my brother (who is super easy, he collects vintage Hawaiian/surf stuff) and my dad taken care of (bought him an awesome blown-glass ray gun along with some books), but I’m scrambling to get  a few friends, my mom  (who collects Peanuts and shoes, so shopping shouldn’t be too difficult) and Patrick taken care of, (I’ve gotten Patrick into collecting old cameras, which is more difficult and expensive than you’d think) and I have no idea what to get my sister-in-law (maybe a giftcard).  *sigh*  Plus, I also make all of my Christmas cards…

Books to Guide You Through a Retro Christmas

Decorating retro for Christmas is perhaps the easiest of holidays, since so much was produced.  The post-war economic boom made Christmas a time where people bought a lot of presents and decor.  Susan Waggoner has three books that really showcase what Christmas was like in the 1950s.  The first one, It’s a Wonderful Christmas highlights a range of items from 1940-1965.  Her second, Under the Tree, offers up toys from 1930-1970, and her third, released this year, Christmas Memories, discusses Christmas fads from the 1920s clear through the 1970s!  Each book is drool worthy and makes people like you and me create mental check-lists for items to keep and eye out for.  Another great book that provides a good overview of fabulous retro Christmas items is Kitchmasland.  Since it’s a Schiffer publication, it also provides a price guide.  There’s everything from offbeat ornaments and strange little elf creatures to wonderful ceramics and glass works, along with the classic cardboard houses.  But perhaps my favorite Christmas book is Season’s Gleamings, a book all about the aluminum tree.  It is more of an art book, filled with wonderfully photographed images from a couple’s private collection.

It’s Christmas time! And with that brings the joyous sounds of Christmas music.  For those wishing to have a swingin’ Christmas, I highly recommend the three Christmas Cocktails albums which the hip cats from Ultra Lounge have offered up.  There are wonderful tunes from Billy May, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, Julie London, even a version of “Frosty the Snowman” by The Ventures.  Members of the Rat Pack also have tunes on these albums, but for the ultimate in hearing Frank, Dean and Sammy belt out songs for the holidays, I recommend Christmas with the Rat Pack, which includes a live version of “Marshmallow World” with all three of them singing.  Both Frank and Dean have Christmas albums of their own as well.  As for Sammy, well, he’s Jewish.  And despite the fact that he did perform some Christmas songs, he did not record an entire album.

For those who like a little more rock in their Christmas, Brian Setzer has a few Christmas albums out as well, which are full of great covers, including “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” duet with Ann Margaret, as well as originals like “Santa’s Got a Hot Rod”.

Plus, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have a Christmas album as well, and I may be inclined to say it’s their best album yet.  Unlike other Christmas albums, this one is mostly originals, like “Rockabilly Christmas” and “Christmas Time in Tinseltown”.  They also do a spectacular version of “Mr. Heatmiser”.  So sit back, mix some rum with that eggnog, watch the color wheel spin on that aluminum Christmas tree and enjoy the sounds of Christmas the way it was meant to be.

The week in California, combined with my research essay, put me behind in terms of decorating, and I won’t be getting to a lot of it until this weekend.  There’s a two day flea market this weekend, I work on Sunday, plus I have my WWII final Tuesday, American West final Wednesday, and my “Vice in the Rose City” 25 page essay due Thursday! Not to mention Thursday is my four year anniversary with Patrick.  Sheesh.