When The Santa Clause hit theaters in 1994, it became an instant holiday classic. But behind the family-friendly charm and Tim Allen’s comedic performance as Scott Calvin, there was an unexpected controversy that had parents fuming and Disney scrambling to fix the problem.
It all started with a seemingly harmless joke that inadvertently directed kids to a real-life sex hotline.
In the film, Scott Calvin jokes, “1-800-SPANK-ME? I know that number,” while referencing his ex-wife’s new mother-in-law.
What Disney likely thought was a cheeky throwaway gag turned out to be anything but. The number was, in fact, an active adult hotline, and curious kids were dialing it, much to the dismay of their parents.
According to a December 30, 1994 report by the Associated Press, one 10-year-old girl’s curiosity cost her family $250, while two 9-year-olds racked up a whopping $500 in charges.
As complaints poured in, Disney took swift action to remove the joke from all future versions of the film. The original line remained in the theatrical release, as well as the first VHS and LaserDisc runs, but was scrubbed from later home video releases, Disney Channel airings, DVDs, Blu-rays, and even the Disney+ streaming version.
For those of you who caught the movie in its initial run or own an early VHS or LaserDisc copy, that version has now become a rare slice of movie history.
While The Santa Clause continues to be a holiday staple, the 1-800-SPANK-ME controversy serves as a quirky reminder of how even an innocent joke in a family film can have unexpected consequences.