when santa claus Released in 1994, it became an instant holiday classic. But behind the family-friendly charm and Tim Allen’s comedic performance as Scott Calvin lies an unexpected controversy that has parents outraged and Disney scrambling to address.
It all started with a seemingly harmless joke that inadvertently led kids to a real-life sex hotline.
In the film, Scott Calvin jokes, “1-800-SPANK-ME? I know that number,” while referring to his ex-wife’s new mother-in-law.
What Disney may have thought was a cheeky one-off joke turned out to be anything but. In fact, the number was an active adult hotline, with curious children calling it, much to the dismay of their parents.
According to an Associated Press report on December 30, 1994, a 10-year-old girl’s curiosity cost her family $250, while two 9-year-old girls were charged as much as $500.
As complaints poured in, Disney moved quickly to remove the joke from all future versions of the film. The original lines survived the theatrical release and the first VHS and LaserDisc releases, but were removed from later home video releases, Disney Channel airings, DVD, Blu-ray, and even the Disney+ streaming version.
For those who saw the film premiere or own an early VHS or LaserDisc copy, this version is now a rare piece of film history.
although santa claus While the 1-800-SPANK-ME controversy remains a holiday staple, it serves as a strange reminder that even an innocent joke in a family movie can have unintended consequences.
