<P> This was Pasquin and Allen's first movie collaboration after they both worked together on the TV series Home Improvement . Pasquin and Allen would later work again on the films Jungle 2 Jungle and Joe Somebody, and on the television series Last Man Standing . </P> <P> The film was followed by two sequels, The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006). In comparison to the original, the former received mixed critical response while the latter was panned by most critics . </P> <P> Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is a successful executive at a toy company . However, he spends less and less time with his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), to the point where Charlie is not too happy to spend Christmas with Scott . After Charlie is dropped off by Scott's ex-wife, Laura (Wendy Crewson) and her new husband Neil (Judge Reinhold), the two are left alone at Scott's residence . However, he burns their turkey meal and the two are forced to go to Denny's for dinner . After reading Charlie the book' Twas the night before Christmas, Charlie wakes Scott up after hearing noises on the roof . </P> <P> Rushing outside, Scott startles a man dressed as Santa on the roof, causing him to slip and fall . Attempting to help the man, Scott finds a card on him that states "If something should happen to me, put on my suit, the Reindeer will know what to do," after which the body disappears . Charlie comes outside and discovers reindeer and a sleigh on the roof . Pushed by his son, Scott puts on the Santa suit and delivers a few gifts before the reindeer take them to the North Pole . Bernard (David Krumholtz), the head elf, explains to Scott that, because he put on the suit, he is now Santa, and gives him one year to get his affairs in order before taking over Santa's duties . Overwhelmed, Scott changes into pajamas and falls asleep . Eventually waking up in his own bed, Scott believes he had an elaborate dream, until Charlie begins telling him events of the previous night . </P>

Who plays the step dad in the santa clause