It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)
What a darling movie! I can’t believe it took me thirty years to discover It Happened on Fifth Avenue, but now that I have, it’s one of my staples at Christmas. It stars Victor Moore as a homeless drifter who breaks into millionaires’ homes when they’re away for the season. In the winter, when real estate tycoon Charlie Ruggles spends time in his Virginian home, Victor moves into his 5th Avenue mansion. He dusts the furniture, winds the clock, airs out the clothes, and eats a meager amount from the pantry so it won’t be noticed.
The first hiccup in his routine happens when Don DeFore gets evicted from his squalid apartment. Victor finds him destitute in the park and takes him “home” with him, letting him in on the secret. The second hiccup happens when Charlie’s daughter, Gale Storm, leaves her boarding school and comes home for Christmas. She discovers the two squatters inhabiting her home, but rather than recognizing her as the heiress she is, they think she’s a burglar with the same idea of sneaking some shelter for holidays!
I can’t recommend It Happened on Fifth Avenue highly enough. It has a laugh a minute, with clever dialogue, hilarious one-liners, and cute set-ups that follow through later in the film. The characters are all endearing and easy to root for. Even though the protagonist is a liar, a sneak, and a burgling bum, he’s incredibly lovable. You never once hope he gets caught and thrown in jail. Instead, he’s like a benevolent matchmaking Santa, with everyone’s best interests at heart. He sees the sparks flying between Gail and Don, and he encourages Don to pursue his business dreams. When Charlie and his ex-wife Ann Harding finally enter the picture, Victor has a sixth sense about how to make their lives better, too!
This delightful Christmas comedy has it all: romance, friendship, charity, respect for our veterans, second chances, morale-boosting songs, and the Christmas spirit. It was nominated for three Hot Toasty Rag awards during a highly contentious year, so if you haven’t seen it yet, rent it this Christmas to laugh, fall in love, and just maybe grab a tissue. I always get a lump in my throat at the end, but then again, I’m sentimental.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Christmas movies here!
The first hiccup in his routine happens when Don DeFore gets evicted from his squalid apartment. Victor finds him destitute in the park and takes him “home” with him, letting him in on the secret. The second hiccup happens when Charlie’s daughter, Gale Storm, leaves her boarding school and comes home for Christmas. She discovers the two squatters inhabiting her home, but rather than recognizing her as the heiress she is, they think she’s a burglar with the same idea of sneaking some shelter for holidays!
I can’t recommend It Happened on Fifth Avenue highly enough. It has a laugh a minute, with clever dialogue, hilarious one-liners, and cute set-ups that follow through later in the film. The characters are all endearing and easy to root for. Even though the protagonist is a liar, a sneak, and a burgling bum, he’s incredibly lovable. You never once hope he gets caught and thrown in jail. Instead, he’s like a benevolent matchmaking Santa, with everyone’s best interests at heart. He sees the sparks flying between Gail and Don, and he encourages Don to pursue his business dreams. When Charlie and his ex-wife Ann Harding finally enter the picture, Victor has a sixth sense about how to make their lives better, too!
This delightful Christmas comedy has it all: romance, friendship, charity, respect for our veterans, second chances, morale-boosting songs, and the Christmas spirit. It was nominated for three Hot Toasty Rag awards during a highly contentious year, so if you haven’t seen it yet, rent it this Christmas to laugh, fall in love, and just maybe grab a tissue. I always get a lump in my throat at the end, but then again, I’m sentimental.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Christmas movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture of 1947
Best Supporting Actor: Charles Ruggles
Best Comedic Screenplay