I started this blog earlier this afternoon, and my computer kept shutting down on me while I was writing. It was a shame, really, because this is truly a marvelous movie and the thought of not getting to share it with you had me all depressed. But my husband worked his marvelous magic and now we’re up and running again.
Heather and Libby watch “Miracle on 34th Street” every year. Let’s take a closer look and discover why it continues to be such a holiday favorite year after year.
Natalie Wood stars as Susan Walker, a young girl who has been raised without benefit of an imagination. She never reads fairy tales, she doesn’t pretend, and she definitely does not believe in Santa. Her mother, Doris, has raised her this way, believing that a child who is taught to look at the world realistically will avoid a lot of hurt. Doris (Maureen O’Hara) was hurt and doesn’t want that kind of life for her daughter.
Their neighbor, Fred Gailey, thinks it’s wrong for a child to grow up without make-believe, and tries to help Susan discover her imagination. But like mother, like daughter – the pragmatic side to them both runs too deep.
Doris works for Macy’s department store, and it’s her job to hire the Santas that visit with the children during the holiday season. What she doesn’t know is that the Santa she hired this year actually is Santa, come down from the North Pole to visit. He goes by the name of Kris Kringle and makes no bones about telling people that he’s the genuine article, but this makes everyone a little nervous and they even suspect that he may be insane. The only thing that can save him now is if everyone starts to believe in Christmas again, and the opinions that matter the most to him are those of Doris and Susan.
This film was well-acted, especially on the part of Natalie Wood. This was her first major role and only her fourth appearance, and at the age of nine, she’s remarkably professional. By the end of the movie, you’ll find yourself rooting for Kris, wanting everyone to believe that he really is Santa Claus, and you’ll be wiping tears from your eyes as the credits roll. If this movie isn’t already one of your holiday favorites, give it a try this season.
This film was not rated.
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