Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
In my family, we’ve probably taken more household phrases from Miracle on 34th Street than from all versions of A Christmas Carol combined. It’s a very special movie with a very special place in our family’s Christmas traditions. The tree is up and decorated, all twelve varieties of Christmas cookies have been baked, and we gather around the television to hum along with Cyril J. Mockridge’s delightful theme, and to enjoy and recite all our favorite lines from start to finish.
“It’s cold, a man’s gotta do something to keep warm!”
“Throw it on the floor!”
“I’ll just have a sandwich or something.”
“To be completely honest and truthful with the child. . .”
“I’ll go check on the meat.”
“First of all, I’m not persecuting him; I’m prosecuting him.”
“And they’re gonna say it in votes—you’re gonna be an awful popular fellow!”
Even the movie’s flaws are delightful, and my family loves to anticipate Maureen O’Hara’s overacting—“This is going to hurt Kris very badly, and I don’t want to be the one to do it!”—the wrong answer given to the question of who was Vice-President under James Quincy Adams, and the silly little loopholes in the plot that are meant to be overlooked. Miracle on 34th Street is a fantastic, sentimental, nostalgic, perfect Christmas movie. It embodies everything about the Christmas spirit, so even though there are little flaws in George Seaton’s script, the magic and happiness of the season glosses over them. Even though Maureen’s delivery is a little stylized, we’re still rooting for her.
“It’s cold, a man’s gotta do something to keep warm!”
“Throw it on the floor!”
“I’ll just have a sandwich or something.”
“To be completely honest and truthful with the child. . .”
“I’ll go check on the meat.”
“First of all, I’m not persecuting him; I’m prosecuting him.”
“And they’re gonna say it in votes—you’re gonna be an awful popular fellow!”
Even the movie’s flaws are delightful, and my family loves to anticipate Maureen O’Hara’s overacting—“This is going to hurt Kris very badly, and I don’t want to be the one to do it!”—the wrong answer given to the question of who was Vice-President under James Quincy Adams, and the silly little loopholes in the plot that are meant to be overlooked. Miracle on 34th Street is a fantastic, sentimental, nostalgic, perfect Christmas movie. It embodies everything about the Christmas spirit, so even though there are little flaws in George Seaton’s script, the magic and happiness of the season glosses over them. Even though Maureen’s delivery is a little stylized, we’re still rooting for her.
Natalie Wood, in an adorable, charming performance full of an incredible talent for her age, captures the heart of all who watch her. I think it’s impossible to be in a bad mood when you watch this movie, especially when Natalie’s on the screen. She never acts like she’s acting. She’s truly a little girl in need of the Christmas spirit, and her mom really is Maureen O’Hara. She has great, believable chemistry with everyone in the cast.
Edmund Gwenn, in an Oscar-winning performance, sets the bar so high, no one else has ever been able to play a truly believable Santa Claus—besides Jim Broadbent; I can’t ignore him. Teddy has a constant twinkle in his eye, and his jolly, sweet disposition soothes even the greatest of doubts. John Payne costars as Maureen’s love interest and Edmund’s greatest advocate. He’s a great match for Maureen, balancing out her edges and teaching her to dream. In addition to the main leads, everyone in the supporting cast has memorable and hilarious parts and lines. Jerome Cowan as the district attorney, Gene Lockhart as the judge, Porter Hall as Teddy’s foe at work, Philip Tonge as Maureen’s coworker, Alvin Greenman as Teddy’s young friend, and a pre-famous Thelma Ritter all contribute to the nearly perfect Christmas movie. Without each of them, it would feel like something was missing. Thankfully, nothing is missing, and every Christmas my family and I can rejoice with all our old friends.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, since the main plot deals with whether or not there is a Santa Claus, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it until they were a little older. My mom didn't let me watch this one until I was eleven.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Jeff Corey movies here!
More Edmund Gwenn movies here!
More Maureen O'Hara movies here!
More Thelma Ritter movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1955's Miracle on 34th Street here!
Edmund Gwenn, in an Oscar-winning performance, sets the bar so high, no one else has ever been able to play a truly believable Santa Claus—besides Jim Broadbent; I can’t ignore him. Teddy has a constant twinkle in his eye, and his jolly, sweet disposition soothes even the greatest of doubts. John Payne costars as Maureen’s love interest and Edmund’s greatest advocate. He’s a great match for Maureen, balancing out her edges and teaching her to dream. In addition to the main leads, everyone in the supporting cast has memorable and hilarious parts and lines. Jerome Cowan as the district attorney, Gene Lockhart as the judge, Porter Hall as Teddy’s foe at work, Philip Tonge as Maureen’s coworker, Alvin Greenman as Teddy’s young friend, and a pre-famous Thelma Ritter all contribute to the nearly perfect Christmas movie. Without each of them, it would feel like something was missing. Thankfully, nothing is missing, and every Christmas my family and I can rejoice with all our old friends.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, since the main plot deals with whether or not there is a Santa Claus, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it until they were a little older. My mom didn't let me watch this one until I was eleven.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Jeff Corey movies here!
More Edmund Gwenn movies here!
More Maureen O'Hara movies here!
More Thelma Ritter movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1955's Miracle on 34th Street here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Comedic Screenplay of 1947
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Actor: Edmund Gwenn
Best Musical Score: Cyril Mockridge