Rating: 
Summary: Is Santa Claus a Menace to Society?
Review: The film begins with the supervisor of the parade assigning people to their posts. Isn't it always difficult with people hired for a one-day job? Then we see her daughter, raised as a sensible, rational little adult. As compensation for her failed marriage, or a symptom of the failure? Some say you should never lie to a child, like telling them about Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or other legends. But doing so prepares them for life: they will be lied to by rulers, advertisers, employers, friends, and relatives. Get used to it, kid!The story is that the real Kris Kringle shows up to play Santa Claus - which he does to perfection. He is "too good to be true". This film contrasts the legends to the realities of adult life. What would happen if everyone spoke the truth as they knew it? Is this film a warning against forcing children to grow up too soon? Susan Walker tells Santa Claus what she really wants: a home with a backyard where she can play. Isn't that what every child should have? After happily married parents? One scene shows Mr. Macy shaking hands with Mr. Gimbel; is this a comment on world conflicts? Another scene discusses the "guilt complex" of giving
away gifts. Does this explain the charities of Carnegie, Rockefeller, and the others? The story continues with Kris Kringle brought into court for a sanity hearing. Anybody who doesn't believe in Santa Claus, or lawyers, should see this. Yes, the scenario is rigged, just like a lot of life. Or maybe some court cases? Does public opinion affect trials like in this film? Do political bosses advise
judges in real life? How do you think judges get appointed? Kris Kringle's lawyer persists in his defense, even at the cost of his job. He will defend ordinary people against their oppressors. The political boss explains the economics of the Santa Claus legend, a fact that cannot be denied. Since the Post Office has a ton of dead letters, they decide to send them to the courtroom. His identity is thus authenticated by the US Government! The ending is drawn out, but little Susan finally gets her Christmas present. "You have to have faith" says her mother. And another happy ending to a Hollywood movie. The saddest fact is that Natalie Wood never lived long enough to play the mother in the remake. Real life doesn't always have a happy ending.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet movie.
Review: Sweet movie, watchable over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Santa is in this movie.
Review: As for Santa, well...the New York Supreme Court ruled, along with the Federal Post Office that Santa Claus is real, or so the ending of this film boasted. Watching it from beginning to end will warm your heart and give you encouragement. We're not all as horrible as we may seem. Edmund Gwen's performance is classic, as well as Maureen O'Hara's and John Payne's, not to mention little Natalie Wood. Who would've figured where her star would've led to. A GREAT film!!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Christmas tale.
Review: This is the original, forget the remake cause it doesn't equal to the sheer great and magical original, this tells the story of a man who is actually Santa Claus but no one doesn't believe him but only a few believers can defend him at court. A truly wonderful, exciting, touching and yes, funny flick that uses the right mixtures to cook up a classic christmas masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Black and white Holiday Mastepiece!
Review: The classic original Black and white version of Miracle On 34th Street is a wonderful sweet movie that just touches your heart and soul! Though I thought Mara Wilson did a good job I just didn't like the remake she was in as much as this original classic starring Natalie Wood. There is another remake, it was made before the Mara Wilson version, I never saw that version but I know that it starred Sebastian Cabot who played Mr. French in the TV show Family Affair, I'm sure it isn't as good as the original black and white version but I think it would be interesting to see how Sebastian Cabot did as Santa Claus. There is one thing that I really dislike though and that's the computer colorised version of the black and white original, it just doesn't look right, Looks like a kid took a magic marker or crayon and colored over the film, and I Very highly recommend the original on either video or DVD, I have it on video and will someday buy it on DVD. It would be nice if I could give this classic more than 5 stars! 10 stars would be cool!
Rating:
Summary: I believe in Santa Claus
Review: Like many households, for me Christmas movies are as much a part of the tradition as trees and presents. "It's a Wonderful Life," "White Christmas," "A Christmas Carol" the Rankin/Bass Animagics and "Miracle on 34th Street." This Holiday classic is a nice DVD, with good quality and restored black and white. The bonus features are slim to none, containing only a movie trailer and a talent file. With Ed Gwen and Natalie Woods playing both sides of the coin, "Miracle on 34th Street" is a film of charming, wide-eyed cynicism. What place does Santa Claus have in the modern world? What place does belief and trust have in a world where Santa shows up to work drunk and Christmas is a headache to every retail and postal worker in America? Gimbels may be long gone, but I am glad that "Miracle on 34th Street" has persisted. Perhaps the message of the film has more staying power than the corporations that would commandeer Christmas. Like Mr. Macy says, "You cannot argue with success."
Rating:
Summary: TraditIonal holiday classic that never grows old.
Review: The original "Miracle on 34th Street" is a splendid holiday classic that has audiences stunned. Lawyer John Payne works on a case to prove to everyone that Macy's Department Store Santa (Edmund Gwynn) is the one and only Santa Claus. This case reshapes the lives of Macy's employee Maureen O'Hara and daughter Natalie Wood. It is a truly magical and inspiring Christmas film that never ages which is perfect for future generations. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Rating:
Summary: Great film and Great story. Good VHS, Fair DVD.
Review: I first saw this film when I was 13 years old and it instantly became one of my favorite films and is still so 20 years later. On the surface the film seems somewhat unbelievable. The story of a man who thinks he is Kris Kringle (aka Santa Claus)somehow convinces major department stores that they should put the interest of the consumer above their own interests and then attempts to prove in court he is the one and only Santa Claus is somewhat unbelievable. However, the great cast, the well written story and the time this film was released, just after WWII, makes the story seem almost plausible. I really enjoy the final scene in the film in which Fred Gailey, the attorney who defended Kris Kringle, is commenting to Doris Walker on the believability of Santa Claus when he notices something in the corner that makes him reconsider the statement he is making. This scene is so important because it shows the hypocrisy that man can have. Here we have man who has encouraged others to believe in Santa Claus and even defended a man who claims to be Santa Clause even though he may not believe in Santa Claus himself and now he is forced to reconsider his beliefs. I have seen the 73 and 94 remake of this film and while I did enjoy the 73 version & hated the 94 version neither are better than the original. There is a 1956 version of the film called MEET KRIS KRINGLE that is never aired and not available for purchase that I would like to see. I saw a clip of that film and the actor that portrays Kris Kringle seems far less believable than Edmund Gwenn. The actress the portrays Susan seems a little older and no where near as charming as Natalie Wood. However I would still like to see the version if for no other reason I can then say I've seen all 3 remakes of this film. I purchased the didgitally remastered VHS version of this film and found it be an excellent product. Great picture and sound. I really enjoyed the orginal trailer. I wanted to purchase the DVD but found that it offered nothing different than the VHS version. This film deserves special features. Behind the scene footage and a documentary would be nice. Several of the actors and actresses are still alive including Maureen O'Hara that could provide commentary for this film. So until the DVD producers add some more material to this DVD I will just use my VHS version.
Rating:
Summary: The Christmas classic for anytime of the year.
Review: I read recently that this film was released in June of 1947. Let any Christmas film be released in June and see how well it would last ( you have to have substance to do this...lol). I guess the reason I , and all the other reviewers, think this film is so great is that it brings back the time when we could "believe in Santa Claus". It also features unforgettable performances...among them a younger William Frawley ( who would go on to co-star in I Love Lucy) as well as Natalie Wood, who made the star of the remake look sickly in comparison. This movie is worth watching if only for the scene where the attorney for Kris Kringle asks the district attorney's son who told him there was a Santa Claus. Buy this film and relive the wonder of Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Christmas movie
Review: I can't think of a better Christmas movie, this is a total classic and has never failed to get me in the Christmas spirit.
I've never found out why it makes me cry, but its never failed to do that either. For me its the ending when Susan runs down the stairs and tells her mother she was right "mommy said even when things don't turn out just right you still have to believe, and oh mommy I do believe, I do" and at that point I know I can feel the tears starting to come in my eyes and by the end I'm done for, but this is a beauitful movie, that can make anyone believe in Santa Claus :)
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