It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

A homeless New Yorker moves into a mansion and along the way he gathers friends to live in the house with him. Before he knows it, he is living with the actual home owners.

Director:

Roy Del Ruth

Writers:

Everett Freeman (screen play), Vick Knight (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Don DeFore, Ann Harding, Charles Ruggles

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Don DeFore	...	Jim Bullock
Ann Harding	...	Mary O'Connor
Charles Ruggles	...	Michael J. O'Connor (as Charlie Ruggles)
Victor Moore	...	Aloysius T. McKeever
Gale Storm	...	Trudy O'Connor
Grant Mitchell	...	Farrow
Edward Brophy	...	Cecil Felton
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Whitey Temple
Dorothea Kent	...	Margie Temple
Edward Ryan	...	Hank (as Edward Ryan Jr.)
Cathy Carter	...	Alice

Storyline

Every winter, Michael J. O'Connor, the second richest man in the world, vacates his 5th Avenue mansion for his winter home in warmer climes. Every winter, Aloysius T. McKeever, a homeless man, and his dog moves into vacated mansions. This particular winter, McKeever meets Jim Bullock, an army veteran who has recently been evicted from his apartment and offers to share the mansion with him. It's not long before the mansion has a few more guests, including two of Jim's army buddies and their wives and children; runaway heiress Trudy Connor; her mother and even Michael J. O'Connor, himself.

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Plot Keywords:

mansion | winter | runaway | giving a toast | barracks | 

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Taglines:

It's 1947's Richest Comedy!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60-minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 19, 1947 with Victor Moore, Don DeFore, Charles Ruggles, and Gale Storm reprising their film roles.

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Goofs

Alice recounts her proposal 7 years earlier at a Gregory Peck film. Peck's first film was in 1944, only 3 years before the movie is set.

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Quotes

Aloysius T. McKeever: And I would like to feel that you're all my friends. For to be without friends is a serious form of poverty.

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Connections

Remade as Det hændte i København (1949)

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Soundtracks

Mary's a Grand Old Name
(uncredited)
Music by George M. Cohan
Lyrics by George M. Cohan
[Played on music box]

User Reviews

Love thy neighbor as thyself?

Of all the Christmas movies produced over the last 50-60 years I vote it in the top 5. It's heart-warming, funny, and thought provoking. Hey, I'm a man and I like to cry during a movie every once in a while, and this movie is one that will surely leave a lump in your chest and a tear or two on your cheek. I can't remember the last time I saw this movie. It's one of my favorite classics and I hope that it will make it to the video/laser/DVD format before it becomes too late. Ted Turner, is this one in your TCM library?

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

19 April 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Happened on Fifth Avenue

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roy Del Ruth Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1