When Santa Claus released in theaters in 1994, it quickly became a holiday classic. But behind the family-friendly appeal and Tim Allen’s comedic performance as Scott Calvin, lay an unexpected controversy that angered parents, and Disney rushed to resolve the issue.
It all started with a seemingly harmless prank that inadvertently directed kids to a real-life sex hotline.
In the film, Scott Calvin jokes, “1-800-SPANK-ME? I know that number,” referring to his ex-wife’s new mother-in-law.
What Disney probably thought was a cheeky throwaway gag turned out to be anything but. The number was, in fact, an active toll-free number for adults, and curious children called it, much to their parents’ dismay.
According to a Dec. 30, 1994, report from the Associated Press, a 10-year-old girl’s curiosity cost her family $250, while two 9-year-olds racked up a whopping $500.
As complaints poured in, Disney acted quickly to remove the line from all future releases of the film. The original line remained in the theatrical release, as well as early VHS and LaserDisc releases, but was deleted from subsequent home video releases, Disney Channel broadcasts, DVDs, Blu-rays, and even the Disney+ streaming version.
For those of you who saw the film on its first run or own an early VHS or LaserDisc copy, that version has now become a rare slice of cinematic history.
While Santa Claus continues to be a holiday staple, the 1-800-SPANK-ME controversy serves as a bizarre reminder of how even an innocent prank in a family film can have unexpected consequences.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
