The "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" campy, sci-if B-movie premise is promising enough — that is, Martians kidnap Santa because there is no one on Mars to give their children presents — but throw the film debut of then-child actress Pia Zadora into the mix, and you've got movie gold.

Yes, on Wednesday, December 30 at 7 p.m., the downtown Ann Arbor District Library, at 343 South Fifth Avenue, will show this 1964 movie gem for the just-right price of "free," for attendees grade six and up.

The movie tells the story of a Martian king and his wife who worry that their children are watching too much Earth television. When the Martians kidnap Santa Claus, in hopes of bringing more fun into the lives of Martian children (including Zadora as Gilmar), one evil Martian plots against the plan, worried that Santa will corrupt Martian children.

Will Santa be able to build his Martian toyshop? Will he ever return to Earth? And what toys do Martian children want, anyway?

These questions — as well as, "What might be the most deliciously bad holiday film of all time?" — will likely be answered at the screening, so don't miss out.

And in case the comforts of home are just too inviting to head to the library, the Internet Archive offers "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" for posterity's sake:

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.