As Miracle on 34th Street goes, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain's main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.
A little know fact regarding the movie is that it was initally released as The Big Heart in the United Kingdom. It is a 1947 American Christmas comedy-drama film released on October 2 by 20th Century Fox, written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davis. The film stars Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, William Frawley, Jerome Cowan and .. Santa Claus! The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City. Since its release the film has become a perennial Christmas favorite. The budget was $630,000 and made $2.7 million at the box office.
Maureen O'Hara lived to the ripe old age of 95. She made many films though valued her part in only 3 .. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, How Green Was My Valley and Miracle on 34th Street. O'Hara the ravishing film actress of the 1940s and '50s was known as "the queen of technicolor" because of her photogenic green eyes, flaming red hair and peaches and creme complexion. In 1945 she was quoted to say .. "When my chance comes I will surprise alot of people. They don't know I can act. But I know it and as long as I know it, nobody is going to stop me." She certainly proved her point when she portrayed Susan's mother, Doris Walker. Her male lead was John Payne who played Fred Gailey.
Miracle on 34th Street won 3 Academy Awards. One was to Edmund Gwenn for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and the corresponding Golden Globe Award. The film was nominated for Best Picture losing to Gentleman's Agreement. That movie starred Gregory Peck. It made $7.8 million at the box office. In 2005, Miracle on 34th Street was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". The Academy Film Archive preserved Miracle on 34th Street in 2009.
Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn
The child actress in the film was an adorable little girl named Susan played by the legendary, Natalie Wood. Wood began her acting career at age 4 and was given a co-starring role at age 8 in Miracle on 34th Street. As a teenager, she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Rebel Without A Cause in 1955. Wood starred in the musical film West Side Story in 1961 and Gypsy in 1962.
Edmund Gwenn (born Edmund John Kellaway) was an English actor. On film he is best remembered for his role as Kris Kringle in the Christmas film classic, Miracle on 34th Street (1947) for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the corresponding Golden Globe Award. When Gwenn accepted the award he was heard to say these words .. "Now I know there is a Santa Claus".
Gwenn's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame can be found at 1751 Vine Street. I imagine it might even suddenly start to magically snow (as it did in It's A Wonderful Life for George Bailey when he wished for his life back) if you stood looking down at Kris Kringle's Star and made a Christmas wish on December 25th .. even in Los Angeles!
Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus!
