Jules Bass's classic 1974 animated feature film THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS is remade here, with rotund actor John Goodman taking the lead role in this live action version of the story. The tale begins with Santa deciding he needs to take a year off from his annual Christmas festivities. Little can be done to persuade Santa to return to his familiar role, although his elves Jingle (Ethan Suplee) and Jangle (Eddie Griffin) have different ideas, despite fellow elf Sparky's (Chris Kattan) awkward ways. And when a young boy enters the picture it seems Santa might just have a change of heart after all. Plenty of festive cheer is induced by this somewhat post-modern 21st century remake.