For many film buffs, the classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street is their go-to holiday film. Subsequently, the movie depicts the best and worst of humanity and is essential viewing during the Christmas season. Altogether, the original film has spawned four remakes. However, they’ve all stayed true to the original script.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1947)
The film’s original plot follows Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara), a worker at Macy’s Department Store in New York City. However, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) realizes the man who will play Santa Claus is drunk. Later, he tells Doris, and she hires Kris to be the Macy’s store Santa Claus.
Her divorce disillusions Doris and her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood). However, their neighbor, lawyer Fred Gaily (John Payne), is surprised Susan doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.
When Susan meets Kris, she believes he’s Santa Claus. Fred believes Kris and clashes with Doris.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1947)
The film’s original plot follows Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara), a worker at Macy’s Department Store in New York City. However, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) realizes the man who will play Santa Claus is drunk. Later, he tells Doris, and she hires Kris to be the Macy’s store Santa Claus.
Her divorce disillusions Doris and her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood). However, their neighbor, lawyer Fred Gaily (John Payne), is surprised Susan doesn’t believe in Santa Claus.
When Susan meets Kris, she believes he’s Santa Claus. Fred believes Kris and clashes with Doris.
- 12/24/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Is there a more perfect combination of capitalism and the more precious aspects of American life than the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade? Kindling festive excitement among the innocent children of the country is a wonderful thing, especially when it's sponsored by a store that wants to turn a decent profit for Christmas. As cynical as you want to be about it, there's no denying the annual event has become a beloved part of the holiday season stateside, signaling the immaculate melding of corporate interests with the human capacity for joy.
But believe it or not, before 1947 the parade didn't quite have the national recognition it does now. It wasn't until George Seaton's equally beloved interpretation of Valentine Davies' story "Miracle on 34th Street" hit theaters that the parade began being broadcast nationwide. The holiday classic not only spread a heartwarming message of hope, but also thrust Macy's and its festive...
But believe it or not, before 1947 the parade didn't quite have the national recognition it does now. It wasn't until George Seaton's equally beloved interpretation of Valentine Davies' story "Miracle on 34th Street" hit theaters that the parade began being broadcast nationwide. The holiday classic not only spread a heartwarming message of hope, but also thrust Macy's and its festive...
- 12/5/2022
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Halloween has drifted off like a ghost in the night, and most of us have recovered from the piles of food we ate at Thanksgiving. That means it's time to build snow sculptures, hang up the twinkling lights and stockings, and watch some holiday classic films like 1947's "Miracle on 34th Street." Oddly enough, it was released in June of that year because 20th Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck thought people saw more films in the summer, according to the Turner Classic Movies website. Despite the warm breezes blowing as ticket holders waited to check out this story of a man who might very well be Santa Claus, it wasn't filmed in the summer. In fact, the scene at the big parade was filmed during the actual 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in November.
The cast had to sneak in some shots during the real...
The cast had to sneak in some shots during the real...
- 12/1/2022
- by Jenna Busch
- Slash Film
It would be easy to play Santa Claus as a holiday caricature who boasts "ho ho ho" at the top of his lungs, but Edmund Gwenn's Academy Award-winning performance (Best Supporting Actor) in "Miracle on 34th Street" shows a much more tender side of the Christmas mascot. He speaks to children as though they were his equal. Scenes like Kris Kringle heartily speaking Dutch to a young orphaned girl (Mary Field), illustrate how greatly this performance has transcended the decades.
With Gwenn stealing the show, it can be easy to overlook the film's wealth of memorable performances. You have names like Natalie Wood, Porter Hall, Gene Lockheart, and Maureen O'Hara bringing this timeless tale of yuletide cheer to life. It's John Payne, however, who is arguably tasked with the second most responsible role in Fred Gailey, the New York City lawyer who advocates on behalf of Kringle in court.
With Gwenn stealing the show, it can be easy to overlook the film's wealth of memorable performances. You have names like Natalie Wood, Porter Hall, Gene Lockheart, and Maureen O'Hara bringing this timeless tale of yuletide cheer to life. It's John Payne, however, who is arguably tasked with the second most responsible role in Fred Gailey, the New York City lawyer who advocates on behalf of Kringle in court.
- 11/30/2022
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
“Why isn’t the original Miracle on 34th Street on TV this year? We need to see movies that offer hope.”
“Where is Miracle on 34th Street with Maureen O’Hara??”
More from TVLineCobra Kai Season 3: The Story Behind [Spoiler]'s Surprising DepartureReal Housewives: Monique Samuels Leaving Potomac Ahead of Season 6Power Book II: Ghost Recap: Monsters, Money and One Angry Monet
Many a TVLine reader is on the hunt for the 1947 classic Christmas movie, about a jolly old man who just might be the real Santa Claus. Alas, unless you subscribe to Disney+, you’re likely to only get coal.
“Where is Miracle on 34th Street with Maureen O’Hara??”
More from TVLineCobra Kai Season 3: The Story Behind [Spoiler]'s Surprising DepartureReal Housewives: Monique Samuels Leaving Potomac Ahead of Season 6Power Book II: Ghost Recap: Monsters, Money and One Angry Monet
Many a TVLine reader is on the hunt for the 1947 classic Christmas movie, about a jolly old man who just might be the real Santa Claus. Alas, unless you subscribe to Disney+, you’re likely to only get coal.
- 12/25/2020
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
If you ever sit down to watch 20th Century Fox’s original trailer for Miracle on 34th Street, a few things might appear strange. Right off the bat it’s unique—unprecedented even—to market a new release without any real footage from the film. Other than a few seconds of the movie’s opening titles and an actual shot from the picture’s final seconds, audiences were told nothing about Miracle on 34th Street other than it was “hilarious!” “exciting!” and, dare they say it, “groovy!”
There was of course a reason for this: 20th Century Fox, and more specifically studio head Darryl F. Zanuck, had absolutely no faith in the feel-good holiday movie and didn’t even want the audience to know it was a holiday movie. Zanuck’s insistence that the film open in New York City on June 4 probably added to their skittishness toward the subject matter.
There was of course a reason for this: 20th Century Fox, and more specifically studio head Darryl F. Zanuck, had absolutely no faith in the feel-good holiday movie and didn’t even want the audience to know it was a holiday movie. Zanuck’s insistence that the film open in New York City on June 4 probably added to their skittishness toward the subject matter.
- 12/20/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
David Crow Nov 29, 2019
If you are ready to ring in the holiday season with Mickey Mouse, here is a guide to the Christmas movies on Disney+!
Like frozen fractals spiraling all around, winter is here once more, and with it is the most wonderful time of the year. Tinsel is being strung around trees, cookies are in the oven, and millions are practicing the hazardous art of exterior illumination. When the days are short, and the nights long, it’s the perfect time to lean into family tradition, and maybe watch a traditional classic movie or two.
Of course with everyone glued to the nostalgia emanating from what is sure to be a new family tradition—Disney+—you might be wondering what holiday gems are hidden in its streaming bag of goodies? Well, we’re here to answer that question and offer you a recommendation on the best holiday cheer...
If you are ready to ring in the holiday season with Mickey Mouse, here is a guide to the Christmas movies on Disney+!
Like frozen fractals spiraling all around, winter is here once more, and with it is the most wonderful time of the year. Tinsel is being strung around trees, cookies are in the oven, and millions are practicing the hazardous art of exterior illumination. When the days are short, and the nights long, it’s the perfect time to lean into family tradition, and maybe watch a traditional classic movie or two.
Of course with everyone glued to the nostalgia emanating from what is sure to be a new family tradition—Disney+—you might be wondering what holiday gems are hidden in its streaming bag of goodies? Well, we’re here to answer that question and offer you a recommendation on the best holiday cheer...
- 11/27/2019
- Den of Geek
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.