Starring Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle himself, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET is ranked #9 on AFI’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time.
December 17, 2020
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AFI Movie Club: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
Watch director/co-writer George Seaton talk about making MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) in this exclusive video from the AFI Archive. DID YOU KNOW? Working titles for MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) were MY HEART TELLS ME, IT’S ONLY HUMAN and THE BIG HEART. DID YOU KNOW? The film is based on an original screen story by Valentine Davies, who was inspired to write it while standing a long line at a department store waiting to buy a Christmas present for his wife. DID YOU KNOW? Charles W. Howard, who played Santa Claus in the Macy’s parade for many years, acted as technical advisor on MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. DID YOU KNOW? The film’s narrative centers around department stores Macy’s and Gimbels in New York City. Before saying yes to being involved, both stores wanted to see the final film. Consequently, the entire production was shot without the guarantee that either store would allow their name to be used. Luckily, both Macy’s and Gimbels loved the final product and gave their approval. DID YOU KNOW? MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET marked the motion picture debut of the great character actress Thelma Ritter. She would later go on to lend her trademark caustic wit to films such as ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), REAR WINDOW (1954) and THE MISFITS (1961). DID YOU KNOW? The Catholic Legion of Decency rated the film as “morally objectionable” because Maureen O’Hara’s character was a divorceé. DID YOU KNOW? Head of 20th Century Fox Darryl F. Zanuck wasn’t sure if the film would be successful, so he released the movie in May during peak box office season to maximize revenue and marketed it as a romantic comedy. DID YOU KNOW? The film won Oscars® for Best Screenplay and Best Original Story. Edmund Gwenn, who played Kris Kringle, also received an Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actor, and in accepting his award, he said, “Now I know there’s a Santa Claus.” Learn more at the AFI Catalog. The movie doesn’t end at the credits: Discussion Questions Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram now using #AFIMovieClub. Or post your responses in the comment section below. AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies. Each day’s film is accompanied by fun facts, family-friendly discussion points and material from the AFI Archive to enrich your viewing experience. Learn more in our FAQ section. Don’t miss out on the latest AFI Movie Club news. Sign up for our newsletter.
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Comments (1)
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Dawn Hayes
I love this Christmas classic. Why can’t I find this film on a television network? No station seems to play it anymore?