All-time Highest Graded Films
Highest Graded Films of 1947
Maureen O'Hara's Graded Films
George Seaton's Graded Films
Natalie Wood's Graded Films
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Since 06/09/00
The plot is quite elaborate, but it develops nicely as it works its way to the inevitable happy ending. Divorced beauty Doris (Maureen O'Hara) and her darling child Susan (Natalie Wood) are won over twice. First by a friendly elderly man (Edmund Gwenn) who thinks he's Santa Claus, and then by handsome lawyer Fred (John Payne) whose intense interest in Susan would be regarded as unseemly today. Fred's skills as a lawyer come in handy when Santa faces a court hearing that threatens to lock him into an institution.
One of the pleasures of Miracle on 34th Street is the rising actors and actresses in the supporting cast. Natalie Wood, of course, went on to become one of the most successful actresses of the 1960s. Jack Albertson has a cameo as an imaginative postal clerk, and plain spoken Thelma Ritter makes her film debut as a holiday shopper. Gene Lockhart is amusing as a judge who is far more interested in his upcoming election than in balancing the scales of justice, while I Love Lucy's William Frawley is a cigar chomping political boss.
Lovely Maureen O'Hara sees plenty of screen time, but her character is somewhat shallow. John Payne is dull and predictable as the perfect man and requisite love interest.
The film's plum role goes to Edmund Gwenn as the would-be Santa Claus. He is engaging with those who share the spirit of Christmas, but he is a stern taskmaster to all of the Grinches and Scrooges that violate his principles. This 'dark turn' of his character makes it all the more interesting.
Gwenn won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his efforts. Miracle on 34th Street also won Oscars for Best Original Story and Best Screenplay, the latter credited to George Seaton who also directed. The film was nominated for Best Picture. It is easily superior to the 1994 remake, whose only advantage is that is filmed in color, and is thus more accessible to simpletons and children who cannot conceive of a film being otherwise.