NEW YORK -- Ho, ho, ho it's that time of the year when the jolly guy drops in for a visit.
No, not THE jolly old guy, but Tim Allen who's enjoyed some major simpatico with the holiday movie season the past decade.
Back in 1994 when his Home Improvement TV show was at the peak of its popularity, Allen made his feature film debut in The Santa Clause playing a man who inherits the mantle of Kris Kringle when he accidentally causes the death of the oversized elf.
Made for $22 million US, The Santa Clause grossed an impressive $145 million before doubling that with its international boxoffice and DVD returns.
The following November, Allen supplied the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Pixar's runaway hit Toy Story, which spawned a 1999 holiday sequel that was even more popular.
In 2002, Allen once again delighted both holiday movie goers and Disney Studios with The Santa Clause 2.
This Friday he plays a modern-day grinch opposite Jamie Lee Curtis in Christmas With the Kranks.
"It would be fair to say this time of year has been good to me when I release a movie," says Allen, who was initially hesitant to accept the Kranks offer.
"I'm developing Santa Clause 3 right now so I didn't know if I should get involved with another high-profile movie about Christmas."
Allen agreed to read the screenplay. When it arrived, he noticed Christmas With the Kranks was based on John Grisham's Skipping Christmas.
Given Grisham is the author of such courtroom thrillers as The Firm, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker and Runaway Jury, Allen wondered if he would "get to kill Santa Claus or defend the guy who does."
For advice, Allen called his mother.
"My mother is a huge Grisham fan. Skipping Christmas is one of her favourites books, so she told me I had to do the movie."
Once he'd begun filming Christmas with the Kranks, Allen knew his mother was right.
"Luther Krank is the kind of character that fits me like a glove and that I enjoy doing. He's really gruff and that appeals to both kids and adults."
Luther Krank has been decking halls, trimming trees and roasting chestnuts faithfully for 18 years.
When his only daughter goes off to Peru with the Peace Corps, Luther decides to boycott Christmas to save thousands of dollars which he and his wife Nora (Curtis) can spend on a luxury cruise.
After alienating everyone in his neighbourhood by not decorating his property, Luther's plan backfires big time when his daughter announces she's arriving for Christmas to introduce her new Peruvian boyfriend to the neighbourhood.
"I'm not a Luther," insists Allen.
"I'd never skip Christmas. I love decorating my house from top to bottom, so much so that some of my friends think I might be turning gay."
Prized among his holiday decorations are more than 30 Santas from all over the world.
"People have been sending me special Santas for years now. I'm fascinated by how he's conceived in different countries."
Allen says big Christmas gatherings are a tradition in his family.
"We all meet at my mom's house in Michigan. I fly people in to the new home I built her. Mom cooks a huge meal and we all get one special gift besides the ones with clothes in them. Church is a big part of the celebration as well."
Allen says children definitely recognize him from his Santa movies.
"They always tell me I'm looking skinny. I tell them I don't start putting on weight until after Thanksgiving."
As soon as small children hear Allen talking in a mall or airport they look in disbelief.
"They realize Buzz Lightyear's voice is coming out of me. One little kid burst into tears because he thought I'd eaten Buzz."
There's already talk that Christmas with the Kranks could spin off into a franchise similar to Chevy Chase's National Lampoon Vacation movies.
"I'd definitely be up for that," says Allen.
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