MIRACLE ON 34th STREET
US, 1947, 96 minutes, Black and white.
Maureen O’ Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Jean Lockhart, Natalie Wood.
Directed by George Seaton.
Miracle on 34th Street was placed on the American National Catholic Register in 2005. It quickly became a film classic – seen on television every Christmas. There were several remakes, one with Marlo Thomas and one with Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle but they did not have the impact that this original film did.
The film offers a simple story, a genial old man says that he is Kris Kringle and therefore Santa Claus. Maureen O’ Hara portrays a worker at Macy’s in 34th Street, a rational woman who has trained her young daughter (a little Natalie Wood) not to believe in fairy tales. However, when a lawyer, played by John Payne, decides to defend Kris Kringle to save him from going to a mental institution, all kinds of transformations happen. The judge is played by Jean Lockhart.
Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for best supporting actor for this performance. He is particularly genial – and played this kind of role ever after. It is somewhat disconcerting to see him in some British films, especially by Hitchcock, when he is far more sinister. Maureen O’ Hara and John Payne were an attractive couple and Natalie Wood was to emerge as a strong leading actress.
The film won an Oscar for its screenplay from the story by Valentine Davies and writer-director George Seaton. It won in a year where films like Gentlemen’s Agreement won the major Oscars so this is a tribute to the strength of the screenplay – and the emotional response of the Academy.
I. The film is considered a classic. Why? It has been remade several times. What is the basic appeal of the film: plot, characters, Christmas, themes?
2. The 1940's style of this film's black and white photography, music, stars, New York setting, style of life and way of life?
3. The aim of the film? The role of fantasy and truth in our lives? Humanity and beliefs? Facts, reasons, belief? Was the film successful in its aims via entertainment?
4. The authenticity of the New York business setting and its being transformed? The Initial procession, the shop, Christmas, Santa Claus and the children, questions of money and deals?
5. The film's picture of the commercialisation of Christmas? The values behind the commercialisation, particularly American? The critique of pushing lines for financial purposes only? The shock of directing people to other shops? Public goodwill?
6. How engaging was the character of Kris Kringle? His initial charm, the opening with the shop, identifying himself with Santa Claus, participating in the procession, his style and goodwill? The engaging scenes with the children, especially with the mother of the child who wanted the fire engine? His relationship with the staff? With Doris and Susan? How normal was he, how mad? The what reality underlying his madness?
7. The film's portrayal of Santa Claus and the values of Santa Claus? The influence in Children's lives, adults'? How much of a value was this? How did Kris Kringle see it? Contrasting with Doris and with Susan?
8. The effect on Susan? The way her mother was bringing her up, sceptical, not knowing fairy stories or games? How did she change, for example 'the monkey game'? Her desire for the house, her disillusionment, the fulfilment? The fact that Kris had set Susan and Doris as his goals?
9. The impact on Doris? The American businesswoman type, organizing the procession, her work at Macy's, the background of her divorce, suspicions of men, bringing up Susan very rationally? Was the change credible? Her support of Kris at the end?
10. The effect on Gaily? His wooing of Doris, friendship through Susan, sharing rooms with Kris, working on his court case, his participation in the court case and its effect?
11. Comment on the character of Sawyer, psychology, his effect on various people, especially Kris? His meanness leading to the court case?
12. The film's incidental satire on the judge, his political advisor? The satire on politics and courts?
13. How enjoyable were the court sequences? The focus on Kris, Gaily's defence? The various pressures on all the people, the cross-examinations? The mall, the cross-examination of the prosecutor, child?
14. How appropriate was the happy ending?
15. The impact in the forties, now?
