12 Days of Cinematic Christmas #3: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Directed and written by George Seaton. Starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood.

Miracle on 34^th Street, a Christmas movie about hope, generosity, and, of course, Santa Claus, has become a Christmas favorite for many. Made in 1947 and produced by 20^th Century Fox, Miracle on 34^th Street is a film that displays the spirit of Christmas time. Kris Kringle, played by Edmund Gwenn, exemplifies the traditional spirit of Santa Claus. By generously helping kids get the toys that they wish to get for Christmas, and providing joy to all who truly hope and believe in Christmas, Kris truly feels like Santa Claus even to those who may not believe in him. Throughout the movie, not only the other characters in the movie but the viewing audience as well have to be convinced that this individual is indeed Santa Claus. For some it is easier to convince than others. The biggest test is the other main characters in the show, Susan and Ms. Doris Walker.

At the beginning of the movie, Susan Walker and her mother, Ms. Walker, do not believe in Santa Claus. When Kris shows up at the parade that Ms. Walker is organizing and plays Santa in the parade, everyone thinks that he is just a Santa impersonator, and just dresses up as Santa for kids. But, when Ms. Walker offers him a job in the department store to play Santa, he begins to tell customers where the toys are that the kids are asking for, even if his store doesn't have them. Later, Ms. Walker finds out that this might actually be Santa Claus, as his identification card says ‘Kris Kringle’. Little Susan is harder to convince though. Just as Kris Kringle is connecting with Susan, she wishes for a house for Christmas, one with her own room and a swing in the back yard. For the first time in the movie, a worried look comes over Kringle’s face as he begins to explain that her wish is asking a lot. Sure, he can wear the outfit, tell kids that they are going to get their toys for Christmas, and name all the reindeer, but if he really is Santa Claus, shouldn’t he be able to get Susan her house for Christmas?

The story peaks when Kringle, and his friends, Ms. Walker and Mr. Gailey, have to attempt to prove in court that Kris is Santa Claus. Although many witnesses can say that he acts like Santa Claus by his behavior and generosity toward children at Christmas time, there seems to be no actual proof that he is indeed Santa Claus and in fact the one and only Santa Claus. All hope seems lost as time is running out and there seems to be no actual evidence that Kris is Santa Claus, until the people at the post office discover that he is in the courthouse and decide to deliver all the Christmas cards for Santa down to him at the courthouse. While this might be enough to provide the court with enough evidence that he is Santa Claus, will he be able to actually convince Susan that he is Santa Claus? Will he be able to follow through and fulfill her wish for a house and prove to her (and all of us watching) that he is without a doubt Santa?

At this point, Miracle on 34^th Street has become a classic holiday film. It has many of the characteristics that a holiday film should have. The joy of the holiday season and the hope that what you wished for Christmas could come true. And, of course. it even has Santa Claus. Miracle on 34^th Street is a Christmas story that is sure put you in the holiday spirit this Christmas season.