Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer star in this acclaimed 1978 thriller that will forever change the way you think about mall Santas. 

Featuring a score by legendary jazz artist Oscar Peterson, The Silent Partner stars Elliot Gould as Miles Cullen, a bored bank teller who sees his chance to make some extra holiday cash. Recognizing the handwriting of a hold-up note as the same on a sign held by a mall Santa, Cullen packs away cash knowing he can blame it on the incoming robbery. Unfortunately for him, the mall Santa (Christopher Plummer) sees his take is lighter than what’s reported on the news; he starts stalking Cullen and sets off a cat-and-mouse game of who can get away intact with the money. 

With a script written by future L.A. Confidential filmmaker Curtis Hanson, who would come in to do uncredited postproduction and pickup shots, Daryl Duke’s film is frightening, funny, and loaded with double-crosses. An essential entry in Gould’s run of stardom during the 1970’s, the actor claims to have screened it for Alfred Hitchcock and delighted the master of suspense with his efforts.