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IMDbPro

Miracle on 34th Street

  • 19471947
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
51K
YOUR RATING
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Home Video Trailer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:02
3 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaFamily
After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends h... Read allAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.After a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
51K
YOUR RATING
    • George Seaton
    • George Seaton(written for the screen by)
    • Valentine Davies(story)
  • Stars
    • Edmund Gwenn
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • John Payne
    • George Seaton
    • George Seaton(written for the screen by)
    • Valentine Davies(story)
  • Stars
    • Edmund Gwenn
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • John Payne
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 221User reviews
    • 105Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Oscars

    Videos3

    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Trailer 2:02
    Watch Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Full Episode 3:11
    Watch What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?
    Video 2:34
    Watch Which 8 Christmas Movies Almost Had Completely Different Stars?

    Photos152

    Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Edmund Gwenn and Marlene Lyden in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Thelma Ritter, Anthony Sydes, and Philip Tonge in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Philip Tonge in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    "Miracle On 34th Street," John Payne, Natalie Wood, & Edmund Gwenn.  1947/Fox.
    "Miracle On 34th Street," Natalie Wood & Maureen O'Hara. 1947/Fox.
    "Miracle On 34th Street," Natalie Wood.  1947/Fox.
    "Miracle On 34th Street," Natalie Wood.  1947/Fox.
    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
    Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edmund Gwenn
    Edmund Gwenn
    • Kris Kringle
    Maureen O'Hara
    Maureen O'Hara
    • Doris Walker
    John Payne
    John Payne
    • Fred Gailey
    Gene Lockhart
    Gene Lockhart
    • Judge Henry X. Harper
    Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood
    • Susan Walker
    Porter Hall
    Porter Hall
    • Granville Sawyer
    William Frawley
    William Frawley
    • Charlie Halloran
    Jerome Cowan
    Jerome Cowan
    • Dist. Atty. Thomas Mara
    Philip Tonge
    Philip Tonge
    • Julian Shellhammer
    Jack Albertson
    Jack Albertson
    • Post Office Mail Sorter Next to Lou
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Antrim
    Harry Antrim
    • Mr. R.H. Macy
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Bagley
    • Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Arline Bletcher
    • Courtroom Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Lela Bliss
    Lela Bliss
    • Mrs. Shellhammer
    • (uncredited)
    Walden Boyle
    • Judge's Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    Kevin Burke
    • Child on Santa's Lap
    • (uncredited)
    Dorothy Christy
    Dorothy Christy
    • Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Cogan
    Dick Cogan
    • Department Store Head
    • (uncredited)
      • George Seaton
      • George Seaton(written for the screen by)
      • Valentine Davies(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the untranslated dialogue with the Dutch girl, Kris asks her what she wants for Christmas. She says she wants nothing, telling him she got her gift by being adopted by her new mother.
    • Goofs
      Kris claims that John Quincy Adams' Vice President was Daniel D. Tompkins. In fact, that was John C. Calhoun, while Tompkins had been Vice President under Adams' predecessor, James Monroe. The confusion arose because Adams was the 6th President whereas Tompkins was the 6th Vice President, some Presidents having had a different Vice President in each term, and one of the latter having served under 2 of the former.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Shellhammer: But... but maybe he's only a little crazy like painters or composers or... or some of those men in Washington.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in two computer colorized versions. The film was first colorized in 1985 by Color Systems Technology, Inc. and again in 2006 by Legend Films using much-improved technology. Prints came with a disclaimer: "It has been altered without the participation of the principal director, screenwriter and other creators of the original film."
    • Connections
      Featured in The Screen Writer (1950)
    • Soundtracks
      Jingle Bells
      (1857) (uncredited)

      Written by James Pierpont

      Played at the announcement of the parade

      Played occasionally in the score

      Sung a cappella a bit by Percy Helton and later by Jack Albertson

    User reviews221

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Santa is in New York!
    The movie starts out in a festive atmosphere. It is Thanksgiving and the employees of Macy's department store are busy with preparations for the annual Thanksgiving day parade. Doris. Walker (Maureen O'Hare) is in charge of the parade. She anxiously hires Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) to replace the man she hired to play Santa Claus when she discovers the original Santa is too intoxicated to even get on the float. Kris does such a good job that Mrs. Walker asks him to stay on in the role and be the department store's Santa. She soon has serious doubts about her decision when she discovers that her new Santa really believes he is Santa Claus.

    Mrs. Walker is working, single mother, who works for Macy's Department Store in New York City. Natalie Wood plays her daughter, Susan. As the result of a failed Marriage, Doris raises her daughter to accept reality. There is no room for fantasy or make believe in her life. Susan is a quiet, child who acts more like a grown up than a 6 year old. She has difficulty using her imagination, and has become just as skeptical as her mother.

    Since Kris, believes that "the important thing is to make children happy," winning the affection of Susan and her mother is his main objective.

    Whether or not Kris is the real Santa Claus, there is no doubt that he seem to have an influence on almost everyone he meets--except for Macy's staff psychologist .Mr. Sawyer believes that Kris is delusional, and has him committed to thrown into a mental institution. In order to get out, Kris must face a court hearing, where not only is his sanity questioned, but the state of New York will decide if there really is a Santa Claus. Fred Gailey (played by John Payne) a neighbor of Doris Susan Walker agrees to represent Kris. The predictable end to the story is that Fred and Doris become attracted to each other, and as Fred works hard to secure Kris' freedom, Doris finds herself not only believing in Kris, but also in believing in fantasy.

    Maureen O'Hara portrays Doris Walker with poise and sophistication. Although the movie is over 55 years old, the idea of a single working mom trying to raise her daughter after a bitter divorce, tells a story that is relevant by today's standards. Natalie Wood does such a good job at playing as the bright six year old, Susan, that you can almost imagine her going straight from being a baby to being an adult. John Payne, as Fred Gailey, predictably plays the handsome attorney who falls in love with Mrs. Walker. Even though it seems a bit unbelievable, this movie is all about fantasy, so we'll allow a bit of romance. Finally, Edmund Gwenn's portrayal of Santa Claus is so believable, that you almost believe that truly is the jolly old elf himself!

    This reviewer would give the movie a 5 out of 5 rating. It is a Christmas classic that will be remembered for years to come as one of the best Christmas movies ever filmed. The message of the movie is not about the real meaning of Christmas, nor is it about the commercialism that has overshadowed the holiday for years. The message of the movie is that make believe and fantasy play an important role in our live. Without them we would have no basis for our hopes and dreams
    helpful•75
    4
    • ericglunneborg
    • Dec 9, 2003

    FAQ8

    • Why is the clown at the Macy's parade not listed anywhere in the cast list? He has the memorable line: "These pants are going to fall off in the middle of Columbus Circle."
    • What is 'Miracle on 34th Street' about?
    • Is 'Miracle on 34th Street' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 4, 1947 (Canada)
      • United States
      • Official Site
      • English
      • Dutch
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • 24 Derby Road, Port Washington, Long Island, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 36 minutes
      • Black and White

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