By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/7/25 – Palm Springs celebrated a truly meaningful holiday-season event last night as the Palm Springs Cultural Center hosted a special screening of the award-winning documentary short More Than Santa Baby, followed by a live mini-concert and an engaging filmmaker Q&A. The evening served not only as a festive gathering but also as a fundraising event for PSCC, drawing film lovers, music enthusiasts, and community supporters eager to honor the extraordinary legacy of composer Philip Springer.
Directed by his daughter Tamar Springer, More Than Santa Baby offers an intimate look at the man behind the timeless classic “Santa Baby.” Though most audiences know the iconic holiday song through Eartha Kitt’s unforgettable performance, and its many pop-culture appearances in films like The Holiday, Elf, and Driving Miss Daisy, the documentary reveals a far wider and deeply moving story. Springer, now approaching his 100th year and still creatively active, has spent more than eight decades shaping the soundtrack of American life.
The film traces Philip’s beginnings in the 1940s Tin Pan Alley scene, his prolific years in New York recording studios of the 1950s and ’60s, and his later work in Hollywood. Rare archival materials and personal memorabilia illuminate intersections with legendary performers including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, and of course, Eartha Kitt. Audiences were visibly moved as the documentary explored themes of artistic resilience, reinvention, and staying faithful to one’s creative purpose at any age.
Following the screening, guests were treated to a lively musical performance featuring selections from Philip Springer’s vast songbook, a touching reminder that his legacy stretches far beyond a single holiday hit. The performance set the stage for a warm and insightful Q&A moderated by Palm Springs community figure Corey Roskin, who guided a heartfelt conversation about the making of the film, the family’s personal journey, and the cultural significance of Springer’s work.
Tamar Springer shared stories behind her father’s enduring creativity, the emotional process of crafting a documentary about a parent, and her desire to preserve a piece of New York’s musical soul through his story. She emphasized that the film is not just a tribute to her father, but also to a bygone era of songwriting, craftsmanship, and dedication that shaped American music.
Last night’s event marked yet another milestone in the film’s remarkable festival run. Since premiering at Dances With Films in Los Angeles, where it won the Documentary Short Audience Award, More Than Santa Baby has gone on to capture four festival wins, including its recent New York premiere at the Big Apple Film Festival.
With its rich historical detail and emotional core, More Than Santa Baby resonated deeply with Palm Springs audiences, many of whom expressed appreciation for both the story and the opportunity to support the Cultural Center’s ongoing mission. The warmth in the room, perfectly aligned with the holiday spirit, highlighted how powerful and universal Philip Springer’s music continues to be.
As the credits rolled and the applause filled the theatre, one message rose above all others, it is never too late to create, to dream, and to inspire. More Than Santa Baby stands as a beautifully crafted reminder of the joy, meaning, and enduring power of song.
See our article and interview: A Daughter’s Love Letter to a Musical Legend Premieres at Dances With Films – Hollywood Times
