‘Charlie’s Angels’ star Ladd relished chance to star in ‘old-fashioned’ kid film

TORONTO – Former “Charlie’s Angels” star Cheryl Ladd is no fan of some of the envelope-pushing fare that is offered up as children’s entertainment these days.

“I think children need to be children,” Ladd, who played Kris Munroe on the famed TV series, said in a recent telephone interview.

“I think there’s enough out in the world that is tough and difficult and edgy. I think they need a soft place to fall, they really need to feel hope and love and community.”

Ladd said her new film “Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups” — out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week — is an antidote to much of the programming she sees today.

“It’s so much fun … in an old-fashioned tender way,” said the actress.

The film, from the masterminds behind Disney’s “Buddies” franchise, tracks the adventures of four rambunctious canines whose antics end up inadvertently threatening Christmas.

Ladd — who says the Yuletide season is always a big deal in her house — relished the chance to put her own stamp on Saint Nick’s better half.

“This is kind of a modern kind of version of Mrs. Santa Claus so I liked that,” she said.

“I love the idea that she’s out of the kitchen — not just baking cookies for everybody. She’s a full-fledged member of the rescue team and she gets out there and she flies in the sleigh … and it’s an adventure for her.”

“Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups” is due out Tuesday.