"Miracle on 34th street" is a rather typical Christmas film, with all of the themes (some might say clichés) that encompasses. However, I am willing to bet that it was not as formulaic at the time of its release (1947) - it a testament to this film's credit that it has been so often imitated. It is, naturally, one of the definitive Christmas films, along with such classics as "It's A Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story". But like most Christmas pageants, it is ultimately little more than a cute and entertaining diversion with a moral.
In this tale, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is a newly discovered talent for portraying Santa Claus in an annual Christmas parade, when he replaces their original Santa, who was, oddly enough, completely drunk on the morning of the parade. Kris also manages to become the Santa at the apparently famous toy chain-store, Macy's, and starts a revolution by continuously referring loving parents to other toy stores for certain items, generating customer loyalty and increasing profits (which, of course, is the true meaning of Christmas spirit). Meanwhile, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood) learn a valuable lesson about imagination and faith.
Edmund Gwenn does an excellent job portraying Chris, in all his jolly, plump goodness. Although his character veers little from the traditional Santa Claus personality, it is effective here - the viewer really gets the impression that one could ask Kris for advice in almost any situation and get a decent answer. One scene in particular stands out where a caring mother brings her adopted Dutch refugee to see Santa, despite her assumption that Santa wouldn't be able to communicate. Naturally, Kris begins conversing fluently in Dutch and the unnamed girl's face is subtitle enough. Although the personality is traditional, the details certainly aren't - for example, Kris doesn't live in the North Pole - he lives in a retirement home. He goes to work, he pays the bills, and he lives a rather normal life (he also sleeps with his beard outside of his covers - it makes it grow), except, of course, on Christmas Eve. I won't reveal whether or not Kris actually is Santa Claus, but that's not important anyway - the movie is more about retaining childhood and faith than encyclopedic fact.
Unfortunately, the other characters in the movie are all decidedly bland and predictable. Naturally, the single mother has to fall in love, and the little girl learn all about imagination and trust. They are all rather one-dimensional and uninteresting; Chris's attorney, Fred Gailey (John Payne) is more or less the same character as all men in their thirties as portrayed in the 1940's and 50's - as decent and handsome as, for example, Mr. Cleaver of "Leave it to Beaver" fame. The same applies to most other characters with their own set of clichés, give or take the necessary conflict for a story arc.
The film culminates in a surprisingly corrupt court room scene judging the sanity of Kris Kringle, where cheap lawyer trickery, corporate threats and theatrical antics win the day for the spirit of Christmas. However, the final master stroke for the defense is actually a rather clever (if implausible) solution.
"Miracle on 34th Street" is a simplistic, entertaining way to spend one and a half hours. Despite its limited depth and wooden characters, the film is still very enjoyable and energetic. Thus, I rate it as a C.
In this tale, Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is a newly discovered talent for portraying Santa Claus in an annual Christmas parade, when he replaces their original Santa, who was, oddly enough, completely drunk on the morning of the parade. Kris also manages to become the Santa at the apparently famous toy chain-store, Macy's, and starts a revolution by continuously referring loving parents to other toy stores for certain items, generating customer loyalty and increasing profits (which, of course, is the true meaning of Christmas spirit). Meanwhile, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) and her daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood) learn a valuable lesson about imagination and faith.
Edmund Gwenn does an excellent job portraying Chris, in all his jolly, plump goodness. Although his character veers little from the traditional Santa Claus personality, it is effective here - the viewer really gets the impression that one could ask Kris for advice in almost any situation and get a decent answer. One scene in particular stands out where a caring mother brings her adopted Dutch refugee to see Santa, despite her assumption that Santa wouldn't be able to communicate. Naturally, Kris begins conversing fluently in Dutch and the unnamed girl's face is subtitle enough. Although the personality is traditional, the details certainly aren't - for example, Kris doesn't live in the North Pole - he lives in a retirement home. He goes to work, he pays the bills, and he lives a rather normal life (he also sleeps with his beard outside of his covers - it makes it grow), except, of course, on Christmas Eve. I won't reveal whether or not Kris actually is Santa Claus, but that's not important anyway - the movie is more about retaining childhood and faith than encyclopedic fact.
Unfortunately, the other characters in the movie are all decidedly bland and predictable. Naturally, the single mother has to fall in love, and the little girl learn all about imagination and trust. They are all rather one-dimensional and uninteresting; Chris's attorney, Fred Gailey (John Payne) is more or less the same character as all men in their thirties as portrayed in the 1940's and 50's - as decent and handsome as, for example, Mr. Cleaver of "Leave it to Beaver" fame. The same applies to most other characters with their own set of clichés, give or take the necessary conflict for a story arc.
The film culminates in a surprisingly corrupt court room scene judging the sanity of Kris Kringle, where cheap lawyer trickery, corporate threats and theatrical antics win the day for the spirit of Christmas. However, the final master stroke for the defense is actually a rather clever (if implausible) solution.
"Miracle on 34th Street" is a simplistic, entertaining way to spend one and a half hours. Despite its limited depth and wooden characters, the film is still very enjoyable and energetic. Thus, I rate it as a C.