Oct 081947
There is only one problem with the nice old man (Edmund Gwenn) hired to play the Macy’s Santa Claus; he thinks he is Santa Claus. When he is institutionalized, it is up to a young lawyer (John Payne) to show that the old man not only isn’t insane, but that he is Santa Claus. And it is up to Kris Kringle to show a woman (Maureen O’Hara) and her child (Natalie Wood) that a little fantasy in life is a good thing.
Quick Review: If I had to choose one movie as THE Christmas film, this would be it. It’s funny, emotional, meaningful, and good for almost any type of family viewing. Edmund Gwenn won the academy award for his performance as Kris Kringle and he deserved it. No one before or since has so inhabited the persona of Santa Clause. Miracle on 34th Street asks several questions (and answers them) about what is important in life, but it asks one question that it doesn’t answer: is there a Santa Clause? Perhaps. Perhaps not. It doesn’t matter as long as we live our lives as if he does. I’m game.