‘The Santa Clause’

This 1994 film plays the nastiness of adult everyday life against the innocent dreams of childhood. Eight-year-old Charlie (Eric Lloyd, pictured left with Tim Allen), is not looking forward to spending Christmas Eve with his father, Scott (Allen), with good reason. He’s a divorced workaholic who’s never made time for his son and his ex-wife. When Santa slips off their roof, Scott must don the red suit and complete his rounds (Showtime Sunday at 6 p.m.).