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Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, Harry Antrim ... see more see more... , Jerome Cowan , William Forrest , Herbert Heyes , Gene Lockhart , Jack Albertson , Lela Bliss , Jeff Corey , Teddy Driver , William Frawley , Alvin Greenman , Porter Hall , Alvin Hammer , Theresa Harris , Percy Helton , Robert Karnes , Anne O'Neal , Harry "Snub" Pollard , Thelma Ritter , Steve Roberts , James Seay , Anthony Sydes , Guy Thomajan , Philip Tonge , Basil Walker , Mary Field , Robert Gist , Richard Irving , Jane Green , Robert Hyatt , Robert Lynn

Edmund Gwenn plays Kris Kringle, a bearded old gent who is the living image of Santa Claus. Serving as a last-minute replacement for the drunken Santa who was to have led Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, K... read more read more...ringle is offered a job as a Macy's toy-department Santa. Supervisor Maureen O'Hara soon begins having second thoughts about hiring Kris: it's bad enough that he is laboring under the delusion that he's the genuine Saint Nick; but when he begins advising customers to shop elsewhere for toys that they can't find at Macy's, he's gone too far! Amazingly, Mr. Macy (Harry Antrim) considers Kris' shopping tips to be an excellent customer-service "gimmick," and insists that the old fellow keep his job. A resident of a Long Island retirement home, Kris agrees to take a room with lawyer John Payne during the Christmas season. It happens that Payne is sweet on O'Hara, and Kris subliminally hopes he can bring the two together. Kris is also desirous of winning over the divorced O'Hara's little daughter Natalie Wood, who in her few years on earth has lost a lot of the Christmas spirit. Complications ensue when Porter Hall, Macy's nasty in-house psychologist, arranges to have Kris locked up in Bellevue as a lunatic. Payne represents Kris at his sanity hearing, rocking the New York judicial system to its foundations by endeavoring to prove in court that Kris is, indeed, the real Santa Claus! We won't tell you how he does it: suffice to say that there's a joyous ending for Payne and O'Hara, as well as a wonderful faith-affirming denouement for little Natalie Wood. 72-year-old Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his portrayal of the "jolly old elf" Kringle; the rest of the cast is populated by such never-fail pros as Gene Lockhart (as the beleaguered sanity-hearing judge), William Frawley (as a crafty political boss), and an unbilled Thelma Ritter and Jack Albertson. Based on the novel by Valentine Davies, Miracle on 34th Street was remade twice: once for TV in 1973, and a second time for a 1994 theatrical release, with Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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82% liked it

44,984 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

33 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: George Seaton

Release Date: January 1, 1947

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DVD Release Date: October 16, 2001

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Stats: 1,570 reviews

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Edmund Gwenn & Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street Miracle on 34th Street Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Miracle on 34th Street Maureen O'Hara and Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street Edmund Gwenn in Miracle on 34th Street
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Flixster Reviews (1,570)

  • fb1710827246
    January 1, 2012
    fb1710827246
    Wholeheartedly smart, funny and hopeful, it never ceased to bring smiles for one must agree, even the most grounded sort, the age old truth and wisdom that belies it's wonderfully crafted and surprisingly complex, intriguing and delightful story and dialogue. To captivate the gen... read moreerations of the true of heart, it succeeds in its purity, depth, charms and all that sentimentality that everyone needs.
  • danperry17
    December 31, 2010
    danperry17
    After being subjected to the remake in elementary school, I did not have high hopes for this classic, but when I stumbled upon it this holiday season I was simply blown away. Stop and think for a second: this is one of the most original films ever made. The conceit in itself is w... read morehat makes this film stand the test of time, and its charm can make a believer of anyone. Take the workaday New York of the late forties, and through Santa Claus - no, really, that's him! - into it. Genius. What may have surprised me most was how soon after the Second World War this film came; I wouldn't expect this indictment of materialism on the heels of victory. A masterpiece fit for the whole family, one I may just watch every year from now on.
  • fb100000257973100
    December 24, 2010
    fb100000257973100
    The one thing that has shocked me to no end about this movie was just how complex it really was. You have this old man that claims to be Santa Claus, a corruption of Capitalism, and then you have a mother that is trying to shelter her daughter from the world of fantasy, seeing as... read more how it is pointless. Then, of course, you have one of the greatest court scenes that involves one simple argument: Who is the real St. Nick? This film, after seeing it, does stand the test of time as being the all time greatest Christmas films. In terms of acting, the main thing to look for is Edmund Gwenn's powerful performance as Kris Kringle/ Santa Clause. I am in awe at how he portrayed this character and in such away that he could have been the real man himself. The script, I am afraid, could have been a tad bit wittier. It does have some moments that are wonderful, and then some that just fall short. The score, made up of mostly Christmas songs, finally treat them with the respect and delicacy that they deserve after years of people remaking and tarnishing them. Now, there is one scene in this film that, in my opinion, sums up the wonder completely: Imagine the character Kris Kringle playing himself in a department store, having kids on his lap telling him what they want for Christmas. In walks this adopted Dutch girl that can not speak any English. After being told of her problem, Kris starts speaking Dutch beyond fluent and there is a moment of pure happiness on the little girl's face and her adoptive mothers. And, that is the true magic of this film: Being able to create a sense of happiness that transients off of the screen.
  • coollala0910
    December 21, 2010
    coollala0910
    Christmas Movie Review Mania
    Episode #11: Miracle on 34th Street

    This is a wonderful and cute movie. The story and moral are brilliant and the acting is great. The little girls is so enjoyable and so is Santa. I recommend this one if you haven't seen it. Great Christmas movie... read more!

    "That dosen't make me Joan of Arc."
  • movieguru12
    December 8, 2010
    movieguru12
    A must see movie for Christmas about the true & beautiful story of Kris Kringle & how with the help of friends, people will believe that he is Santa Claus. A magnificent film & I have to confess that I do believe in Santa Claus :) A great holiday film classic :)
  • ajv2688
    October 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    An interesting Christmas movie, I saw it as a kid and wasn't too impressed, but maybe I should see it again as an adult.
  • flixsterman
    April 20, 2010
    flixsterman
    One of my all time favorite movie moments is when Kris (Ed Gwenn) is teaching young Susan (Natalie Wood) how to act like a monkey.

    ... read more"http://content8.flixster.com/photo/13/08/90/13089082_gal.jpg" border="0"/>

    Classic.
  • kiriyamakazou
    December 15, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    It avoids any sentimental, schmaltzy rubbish, and goes for a sweet sense of humour that really does aim itself at the child in adults as well as kids themselves. Miracle on 34th Street also manages to be a look at society's perception of sanity, which is a great idea for a Christ... read moremas film about Santa. The performances are very real and Gwenn is completely believable as Santa. He's a kind soul and manages to avoid the creepiness that usually comes with Santa. It shows us the true meaning of Christmas and faith, but doesn't completely attack the enjoyable commercial side. Just glad it doesn't give a definite answer one way or the other.
  • Godless
    December 21, 2008
    Godless
    As a cautionary tale for alzhiemers its great. As a movie that tells us logic isnt always the way to go its a lump of dung.
  • jennifxu
    August 13, 2007
    jennifxu
    Unbelievably cute! I watch this three, four times every Christmas Little Natalie Wood is a sweetheart.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
November 27, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

It's a highly professional piece of Hollywood sentimentalism. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

[Let us] heartily proclaim that it is the freshest little picture in a long time, and maybe even the best comedy of this year. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
March 13, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Decades after it was made, this fable, featuring Edmund Gwenn's Oscar-winning role as Santa Claus, remains one of the most enchanting Christmas movies. Full Review

Nell Minow
December 26, 2010
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media

Classic holiday movie for the whole family. Full Review

Sean Axmaker
January 10, 2010
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com

What makes Miracle a genuine miracle of holiday filmmaking is the pitch-perfect balance of social cynicism and human generosity. Full Review

Nick Davis
December 28, 2009
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks

I kept wondering: what would Jesus think about this movie, a kiddie pic that indicts America for losing sight of the one person that Christmas was always supposed to be about, and that's Santa. Full Review

November 27, 2007
Film4

One of the classic Christmas movies that is so happy about being sentimental it's enchanting rather than sickly sweet. Full Review

Kevin Carr
December 22, 2006
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

Christmas wouldn't be complete without it. Full Review

December 4, 2006
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A touch labored but lovable. Full Review

Christopher Null
November 25, 2006
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

You want the spirit of Christmas? It's all right here. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Fred Gailey: Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.
    • Kris Kringle: Oh, Christmas isn't just a day. It's a frame of mind.
  • Studio head Darryl F. Zanuck initially thought that "Miracle on 34th Street" was too corny to get an audience. It ended up getting nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and did win Academy Awards for Best Writing and Best Screenplay, plus others.
  • Even though "Miracle on 34th Street" is one of the ultimate Christmas movies, studio boss Darryl F. Zanuck insisted on releasing the flick in May because, he reasoned, more people see movies in the summer. The studio?s PR department was given the dif... read moreficult task of marketing a movie about Santa Claus while trying to keep the fact that it was a Christmas movie secret.
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Miracle on 34th Street Trivia

  • What young actress starred in such films as Miracle on 34th Street, Matilda and A Simple Wish?  Answer »
  • Name the 1947 movie that is still seen today on tv,starring,Maureen O'Hara,Edmund Gwenn,John Payne& Natalie Woods,about a dept store Santa,a little girl who still believes & her world weary mother who doesn't believe in anything good.?  Answer »
  • In Miracle on 34th Street, who told Susan's character that she can't believe in Santa Claus?  Answer »
  • What does Susan wish for in Miracle on 34th Street?  Answer »
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