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

The Best Films of Maureen O'Hara

1. The Quiet Man
2. Miracle on 34th Street
3. How Green Was My Valley
4. The Huchback of Notre Dame
5. McLintock!
6. Rio Grande
7. Our Man in Havana
8. Sitting Pretty
9. This Land is Mine
10. The Long Gray Line
11. The Parent Trap

Rio Grande (1950)

The last installment of John Ford's Calvary Trilogy. Not the best of him or Wayne for that matter but it is still a worthwhile film. First there is the tension in the paring between Wayne and Maureen O'Harra as they quarrel about what to do about their young son who is a member of Wayne's unit. There is a supporting cast including the likes of Victor McLaglen, Ben Johnson, Harey Carey Jr., and Calude Jarman Jr.

While watching it I was just thinking how Ford has so many great looking films in both color and black and white. This one uses the latter as well as a Monument Valley backdrop to perfection. It just looks so beautiful in every shot and Maureen O'Hara does not hurt the eyes either for that matter.

Soon after Ford would pair again with a few of his stars to make another little film. Anyone for The Quiet Man?

3.5/5 Stars

The Quiet Man (1952)

Starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara with director John Ford, the film follows an ex-American boxer as he returns to his roots in Ireland. Soon he is befriended by the proper yet kindly folk in the quaint town. Also, a beautiful red-haired girl catches his eye one day. Fireworks start between the American and the proud brother, so he will not condone the courtship or marriage of his sister. Finally, Wayne does gain his wife but she is unhappy without her dowry and she believes her husband is a coward since he will not fight for it. Little does she know the past he tried to escape, but once he gets it off his chest, he does fight. Through the exciting event both men grow fond of each other and the town gets a kick out of the entertainment. O'Hara and the rest of the cast including Barry Fitzgerlad are wonderful as the Irish folk, all playing off the Quiet Man.

5/5 Stars

How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Starring a cast including Roddy McDowell, Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, and Donald Crisp, with director John Ford, the film is told from the eyes of a young boy (McDowell) from a Welsh mining family. Huw has five older brothers, an older sister, and two strong but goodhearted parents. As times get tougher, he sees one brother get married and two others leave for America. Huw faces his own struggles recuperating from an injury and surviving his schooling. Along the way he is aided by the kindly preacher (Pidgeon). However, soon he sees his family torn apart even more when his sister is unhappily married off, a brother is killed, and two others lose their jobs. Then, finally when his sister returns, the town folk start a scandal, and Mr. Morgan becomes trapped in the mine. It does end on a good not and the family stays resilient. This film is full of adversity but more importantly it has warmth and good people. The camera work is excellent and the Welsh singing is memorable.

                                                          4.5/5 Stars

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Starring Edmund Gwen, Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood, the film tells the heartwarming story of an old man who acts as Santa Claus for the Macy department store in New York. However, Kris who is a very warm person (Gwen), truly does believe he is Santa and he is constantly being kind to others. Despite his popularity, a sour psychologist claims Kris is crazy and the case goes to court to decide once and for all if he is Santa. Although the case seems bleak, Kris is enlightened by the fact that his test case family (O'Hara and Wood) finally believe in him. Through a series of extraordinary events his lawyer friend (Payne) is able to win the case right before Christmas. Pretty soon Kris seems to prove that he really is who he said he was. This is one of the great cheering Christmas classics of cinema.

5/5 Stars

                                                Merry Christmas everyone!