By Nina Tsipuria
Seventy-three years have passed since the young, up-and-coming composer Philip Springer wrote the holiday hit Santa Baby. The song has stood the test of time — and of changing musical tastes. To this day, it remains an essential part of the holiday season. The music was originally composed for singer Eartha Kitt, but over the decades, Santa Baby has been performed by Madonna, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys, and many others. Today, the legendary American composer is 99 years old. He composed music not only for films but also for iconic artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Vivien Leigh, and many others. On June 23, at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, the documentary film More Than Santa Baby, dedicated to Philip Springer’s life and work, premiered as part of the Dances With Films festival. The film is now beginning its journey across the festival circuit and holds special significance for Georgian audiences — as a portion of the story is dedicated to Georgia. At the festival, the film captured the hearts of the audience, winning the coveted Audience Award in the Short Documentary category. But how did Georgia—a small, distant land—find its place in the story of this Hollywood legend?
That tale unfolds through the words of the film’s director, Tamar Springer, Philip Springer’s own daughter, who shares the intimate journey that connects her father’s legacy with her homeland.
How did the ideal of the film come to you?
I was going through all my father’s works, his memorabilia, recordings, photos and other records to create an archive of his career and vast library of compositions. His catalogue includes musical compositions in all idioms of music, and other creations such as plays, musicals, and books. As I was organizing the archives, suddenly it was like a light bulb went on in my head and the idea came to me, “This is a Documentary Film!”. At that moment, I knew I had a film to develop and produce about the life, career and music of my father, “Santa Baby” composer Philip Springer. The story must be told.
Why is the film important to me and then for the music world?
I wrote and directed this documentary to share my father’s vast musical legacy and fascinating journey in the music industry from his start as a young man in 1940s Tin Pan Alley to 1970s Hollywood and through his most successful decade when he reached his 90s. I have long believed that my father’s music beyond his worldwide classic Christmas song is much deserving of recognition. Throughout my childhood and my life, I experienced and observed a man who was struggling for recognition for his beautiful music. Without giving away too much of the story in the documentary, my father yearned for recognition beyond his worldwide Christmas classic. I felt the frustrations and disappointments over the years, and I felt it was time to get his music out into the world.
Philip’s story is an entertaining walk through 20th century music that includes renowned performers and locations of the Golden Era and achievements in every decade of his life. I believe that the music world will delight in learning much about legendary artists that they might not know, and details and trivia about the music industry that are included in this story which takes audiences through nearly a century of music history.
Inspired by a vast catalogue of beautiful melodies, recordings by iconic artists and my wish to memorialize my father’s 75+ years in the music industry, I produced this moving story of perseverance, hope and resilience. The documentary is a daughter’s tribute to her father and his music, a walk through a unique period in music history, a love letter to New York City and the Golden Age of song, a poignant display of the life cycle which shares a powerful message, “it is never too late”.
How did you discover Georgia? Why did you decide to put some Georgia in your film?
I discovered Georgia in the most wonderful way. In November 2020, my father’s video playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata went viral worldwide. Journalist Nina Tsipuria reached out to me and asked for an interview with my father. This happened with the urging of Nina’s mother, who shares a birthday with me! It must have been lucky fate. Nina did the interview, and it was more than that, it was the beginning of a beautiful overseas, across continents friendship between me and Nina. She is a highly artistic and caring person, and I am lucky to know her. Nina introduced me to Georgia, which has enhanced my life.
I put Nina Tsipuria and Georgia in the film because they belong there! Nina told me “There is no Christmas in Georgia without Santa Baby”. With that, Nina was destined to be in the documentary! While the story is not about Santa Baby, of course it includes “Santa Baby” in each of the three acts. Georgia and Nina are in the documentary in the 3rd act, and I promise it will be rewarding for all Georgians.
Is there anyone who hasn’t heard “Santa Baby”?
I suppose it is possible! If this person lives in a faraway land with no radio, music player or streaming device there is a chance they have not heard “Santa Baby”!
