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Miracle on 34th Street
Produced by William Perlberg
Written for the screen by George Seaton Story by Valentine Davies
Editing: Robert L. Simpson
Music: Cyril J. Mockridge
Release Date: 04 July 1947
Aspect Ratio: 1.37 : 1
Color: Black and White
George Seaton’s perennial family comedy holiday classic takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas in New York City and focuses on the effect of a department store Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn) who claims to be the real St. Nick. Maureen O'Hara plays the no-nonsense events director of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade who has raised her young daughter (nine-year-old Natalie Wood) not to believe in frivolous things like Santa. But Doris's neighbor, attorney Fred Gailey (John Payne) feels there is value in believing in things like Santa. And when Kris Kringle becomes embroiled in a legal dispute over his identity, it's up to everyone to help him set the record straight.
Sentimental without ever feeling saccharine, the picture can stand up to multiple viewings, despite some rather clunky direction. Seaton's screenplay, from a story by Valentine Davies, cobenys a sly message about post-war consumerism and the commercialization of Christmas. Wood is so adorable that any little kid should both identify with her and fall in love with her. O'Hara and Gailey make a fine screen pair, and Gwenn, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this role, creates a most memorable and distinctive take on Santa Claus.
Twitter Capsule:
Despite its overt sentimentality and not especially impressive direction, George Seaton’s perennial holiday classic about a department store Santa who claims to be the real St. Nick is undeniably charming and funny with a sly message about post-war consumerism and the commercialization of Christmas.