The mysterious owner of a costume shop rents a Santa Claus suit to three very different men: a math teacher trying to get the nerve to propose, a homeless restaurateur trying to hide from the mob, and a harried political speech writer visiting with his estranged wife and son. Their lives are inexorably changed by their experience of playing Santa Claus.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Fred AstaireSanta Claus | Santa Claus |
 Gary BurghoffBob Willis | Bob Willis |
 John BynerStan Summerville | Stan Summerville |
 Bert ConvyGil Travis | Gil Travis |
 Tara BuckmanPolly Primer | Polly Primer |
 Brooke BundyLinda Travis | Linda Travis |
 Eddie BarthBabyskin | Babyskin |
 Ron FeinbergBruno Betinger | Bruno Betinger |
 Nanette FabrayDora Dayton | Dora Dayton |
 Harold GouldDickie Dayton | Dickie Dayton |
 Raymond VitteEddie | Eddie |
| DDebbie LyttonMelissa | Melissa |
 Danny WellsChandler | Chandler |
 Carlo ImperatoDom | Dom |
 André GowerTerry Travis | Terry Travis |
| DDavid GreenanRod Sanborn | Rod Sanborn |
 Majel BarrettMiss Forsythe | Miss Forsythe |
 Sasha von ScherlerShopper | Shopper |
 Eddie RyderHans | Hans |
| TTony La TorreAngelo | Angelo |
| TTed ThurstonClerk | Clerk |
 Vincent Di PaoloStreet Vendor (uncredited) | Street Vendor (uncredited) |
 Pat PetersenLance | Lance |