Artistic Significance: Even bad movies carry important messages

Sometimes the best form of entertainment is something arguably bad.
The 1960s production “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” is one of those instances.
This is one my mom and I found a few years ago in a box set of older Christmas movies and just the title was enough to be interesting.
Let’s take Christmas and add extra terrestrials.
Between Cold War references and bad Martian costumes, you can tell this is from the ‘60s.
The overarching story focuses on the listlessness and lack of joy experienced by Martian kids. Through watching Earth TV, they have a concept of what Santa Claus is and lament that he doesn’t come to them too.
The result is a well-intended, but misguided pursuit by one of the Martian leaders to bring Santa Claus to the kids of Mars because he wants to see them happy while one of the other leaders resists the change.
Ultimately, the Martian you’re supposed to think is just a bumbling fool throughout the film steps into the role of Santa for the Martians, and they take the real Santa back to Earth.
Really, it’s a simple plot, and there isn’t very much nuance.
I think it’s a pretty straightforward message; the spirit of the season is more important than minor details and having things exactly the traditional way.
The point is to have fun and enjoy yourself. If people are happy, then everything is fine.
Really, “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” is a one of those movies where it’s so bad that it’s good. This is a time capsule of history that really hasn’t aged well.
However, the message is one we should still listen to; if it makes somebody happy and it doesn’t harm others, then they’re fine.
Michael Shine is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. He can be reached at mshine.dar@gmail.com.