Santa In Animal Land (1948) just played on TCM. I have to say… Children’s’ entertainment in the '40s was… bizarre. In the short, animals realise there is no Santa Clause for animals, so Kitty and another animal go in search of Santa. Very weird puppetry. Actually, it kind of reminds mr of Mister Rogers, only more crude and weird. From my perspective, I think I’d be freaked out seeing this as a kid. From a kid in 1948, I think the puppetry might have just been normal.
Another Creepy Classic is playing on TCM now: A Visit To Santa (1963). Actually, it’s not as bizarre as the film in the OP, but it’s still weird.