The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives facts for kids

The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives is a classic animated short film from 1933. It's a Merrie Melodies cartoon made by Warner Bros., directed by Rudolf Ising. This Christmas-themed film was released on January 7, 1933.

The story is set during the Great Depression, a time when many people faced tough economic challenges. In the film, Santa Claus is looking for a place to stay. He finds shelter in a shantytown, which is a neighborhood made of simple, often makeshift homes. This setting gives the cartoon its unique name.

What Happens in the Story?

A Lonely Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, a young boy feels very sad and alone. He walks past a church and hears people singing the song "Silent Night". He then sees a house where a family is happily celebrating Christmas together.

Suddenly, a strong wind blows, pushing him against a shed. He gets covered in snow. When he gets home, he checks his Christmas stocking, but it's empty. The boy sits in a chair, feeling very sad and starts to cry.

Santa's Surprise Visit

While the boy is crying, he hears the sound of sleigh bells. He looks out the window and sees Santa Claus! Santa invites the boy to join him for some holiday fun. They go to Santa's special shanty, because the boy has been good all year.

Fun in Santa's Shanty

Inside Santa's shanty, there is lots of joy and music. Toys come to life and sing, and a jazz band plays lively tunes. There's even a singing doll.

Suddenly, a Christmas tree catches fire! Everyone quickly tries to put out the flames. The boy bravely helps by connecting a hose to some bagpipes. He squirts water onto the tree, putting out the fire. Everyone cheers, and the cartoon ends happily.

Where to Watch This Cartoon

This cartoon is now in the public domain. This means it's not protected by copyright anymore. Because of this, you can find it on many older VHS tapes and DVD collections that feature classic cartoons.

Did You Know?

• This cartoon was shown in the 2006 movie Unaccompanied Minors.
• The comedy group RiffTrax made a funny commentary for this short film. They showed it alongside another movie called The Magic Christmas Tree.

See Also

• List of Christmas films
• Santa Claus in film