Miracle of 34th Street (1947) - Updated

Christmas movies do not get much better than this. What a concept! Here's a film about a man who really is Kris Kringle aka Santa Claus. He gets picked up by Macy's department store to be their Santa Claus and he winds up facing a hearing to decide whether he is legitimate or not. His pet project is to make an unsentimental little girl (Natalie Wood) and her practical mother (Maureen O'Hara) believe in him. He finds an ally in a young lawyer (John Payne) who believes in his holiday cheer and is also smitten with the girl's mother.

Some people would undoubtedly say it's a bunch a hogwash to make a movie about such a topic. Maybe it is only holiday tripe but I find it is very hard to refute this "Miracle" of a Christmas classic. The characters portrayed are so spot on and heartfelt it is so easy to get pulled into their story. It's difficult not to like a film where department stores help each other, the hustle and bustle is toned down and for once mankind has faith in each other for awhile.

As an audience we gravitate towards Edmund Gwen because he represents the Santa we all wish to know. He is kind, thoughtful, generous and above all a magical gift giver. Maureen O'Hara goes through a character progression that mirrors that of her daughter except it is perhaps a little more poignant in her case. It would seemingly be easy to dislike her and yet thanks to O'Hara we cannot help but feel for her. She is also extremely beautiful, even in black and white. Although young, Wood proves to be a memorable little girl in this one and she was just getting started. Payne is a good addition in his own right and a highly underrated actor.

The film is rounded out by a wonderful array of characters in the Macy's store like magnate R.H. Macy (Harry Atrim), well meaning Mr. Shellhammer (Philip Tonge) and friendly young janitor Alfred (Alvin Greeman). Shoppers such as the one and only Thelma Ritter in an early role, and civil servants like Judge Harper  (Gene Lockhart) round out New York's population with generally decent people who we can relate to. The one exception is Dr. Sawyer (Porter Hall), the company psychologist and greatest villain of the film who is the antithesis of Kris and his Christmas spirit.

My hope is that this one never pales, never loses its cheer and maintains its timelessness for many Christmases to come. Until the next Macy's Thanksgiving parade comes along have yourself a merry little Christmas and remember all psychologists are not evil!

5/5 Stars