Rent Miracle on 34th Street on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: George Seaton (written for the screen by), Valentine Davies (story)
Directed by: George Seaton
Starring: Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood
Rated: Approved [PG]
Watch the trailer
Plot
When an event director hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he is indeed Santa Claus.
Verdict
Can you prove that someone is or is not Santa Claus? It's a case that's about more than facts, public opinion weighs heavily. The dissenting opinion is exemplified by a cynical child and her mother who don't believe. As we watch, even if this man isn't Santa, his mission is noble. He just wants to spread cheer and make people happy. His belief is contagious, and we just want to believe that the magic is possible. The movie provides that avenue.
Watch It.
Review
We're introduced to a man with quite the interest and knowledge of Santa Claus. He ends up as a fill in for Santa during the Macy's day parade when the hired Santa gets drunk. He does such a good job that the event director Doris (Maureen O'Hara) hires him for the full season in store. What she doesn't know is that his name happens to be Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn).
Kris enjoys the job, taking a real interest in the children. He wants kids to get the toys they want, even directing customers to other stores. The manager doesn't like that one bit, but it turns out to be great advertising for the store as customers think the Macy's really cares and puts customers first.
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| Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood play Doris, Kris Kringle, Susan |
Doris's daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) is a cynical kid with no times for stories and tales despite being a child. Her mom doesn't want to mislead her, but Kris takes an interest in her and teaches her to use her imagination. Later she sees Kris speaking Dutch to a kid, and that makes her wonder if this man could be Santa. This guy certainly seems like the real deal. Doris asks Kris to admit to Susan he's just playing a part, but he states he is Santa Claus. When Doris tries to prove it's a story, she runs into trouble. His name is Kris Kringle. He's adamant he is Santa. Susan's request for a gift is a tall order to prove it. Can he do it?
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| Edmund Gwenn plays Kris Kringle |
While defending another employee, Kris is committed. That goes to a hearing where Kris and Doris's friend Fred (John Payne) agrees to defend him. At the hearing, many people are upset the law is going after Santa. The judge is concerned because he doesn't want to be the guy that rules Santa isn't real, upsetting both children and adults. The District Attorney assumes Kris will deny everything. Little do they know, Kris happily admits to being Santa Claus. Fred vows to prove Santa is real, and he uses every trick he can imagine, even having the DA's son testify that his dad told him Santa is real.
Just as he's out of options, Fred gets unsolicited help from the Post Office, and the judge is all too happy to find a way out and not jeopardize his position. Everyone wants to believe Kris is Santa, whether he is or isn't. Either way Kris is spreading 'Christmas spirit.' Even Doris and Susan support him, though Susan is counting on him to fulfill her request.
Gwenn does such a great job in the role that you can't help but root for him. Even if he isn't 'real,' he captures the spirit of the season. His enthusiasm is contagious, making everyone around him happier. By the end of the movie, he certainly seems like the genuine article.
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