Kris Kringle--unbeknownst to cynical, market-minded adults, the real Santa Claus--is hired to play himself at Macy's Department Store, New York City. His gentle, joyous spirit and magical powers soon transform those around him, including a little girl and her world-weary mother. Academy Award Nominations: 4, including Best Picture. Academy Awards: 3, including Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor--Edmund Gwenn. The 50th Anniversary Edition includes remastered footage and a promotional short.
Heartwarming Christmas story in which a man who moonlights as Kris Kringle at Macy's claims to be the genuine article. The adults refuse to believe him and begin to suspect that the bearded, portly man is not playing with a full deck. But most important to Kris is a little girl who steadfastly refuses to believe that Santa Claus is real. Can he convince her--and everyone else--that he is telling the truth? His freedom may depend on it...
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET was the film debut for actress Thelma Ritter.
DVD Features:
2-Disc Set
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Mono - Spanish, French
Disc 1: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - Theatrical Versions (Colorized, B&W)
Disc 2: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - Supplemental Materials
Additional Release Material:
Additional Footage - 1. Movietone News: Hollywood Spotlight
2. Promotional Short
Audio Commentary
Documentaries - 1. Hollywood Backstory
2. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Floating in History
Featurettes - The 20th Century Fox Hour of Stars
Director of Photography
Charles H. Clarke: Art Director
Director of Photography
Lloyd Ahern, II: Director of photography, LAST MAN STANDING/AMERICAN WEDDING
Story
Valentine Davies: American Screenwriter
Special Effects
Fred Sersen:
Review 1:
"...Seaton's paean to seasonal goodwill remains profoundly watchable..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.64 01/01/2001
Review 2:
4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here really is no better flick to curl up with over the festive season."
Source: Total Film
p.137 01/01/2007