THE MIRACLE ON 34th STREET

US, 1973, 100 minutes, Colour.
Sebastian Cabot, Roddy Mc Dowall, Jane Alexander, David Hartman, Jim Backus, Suzanne Davidson.
Directed by Fielder Cook.

The Miracle on 34th Street is an updated '70s remake of the 1947 George Seaton classic. That film was very popular in its day, had Maureen O'Hara and John Payne as the attractive parents, Natalie Wood as the daughter and Oscar-winning Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle.

The plot outline remains the same. However, the film is given colourful New York settings. Jane Alexander is the busy '70s businesswoman organising Christmas Parades. David Hartman is the pleasant lawyer. Roddy Mc Dowall enjoys himself as the department store's psychiatrist. Suzanne Davidson is the daughter and there are enjoyable roles by Jim Backus, James Gregory as a lawyer and Tom Bosley as the judge. However, as with the original, it is Kris Kringle's film. Sebastian Cabot does not have as engaging a screen personality as Edmund Gwenn - but he gives an entertaining performance and probably will endear those who are not familiar with Gwenn's characterisation.

The film shows a lonely old man in an old people's home who imagines himself to be Santa Claus. He takes on the role in parades, in Macey's (helping people to go to other shops if Macey's do not have their presents at a good price). After some upheaval, Macey's believe that this is a goodwill gesture. However, the psychiatrist tries to help him, there is a court case where Kris Kringle has to prove that he is not insane. As with the original, the whole is resolved by the American Post Office sending all its Santa Claus mail to Kris Kringle. The little girl is happy with the house that he had promised her - with his walking stick left behind.

The whole piece is one of Christmas whimsy - attractively so. It focuses on the American way of life, the commercialisation of Christmas, the popularity of Santa Claus, parades and presents. It highlights marriage, family. It also focuses sympathetically on senior citizens. But one always prefers the original.

1994 saw another version with Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan Mc Dermott, Mara Wilson as the little girt and Richard Attenborough as Kriss Kringle.