Miracle

"Miracle on 34th Street':
     Doris Walker - Maureen O'Hara
     Susan Walker - Natalie Wood
     Fred Gailey - John Payne
     Kris Kringle - Edmund Gwenn
     Judge Henry X Harper - Gene Lockhart
     Thomas Mara - Jerome Cowan
     Mr. Shelhammer - Philip Tonge
     Mr. Sawyer - Porter Hall
     Dr. Pierce - James Seay
     RH Macy - Harry Anatrim
     Alfred - Alvin Greenman
     Charlie - William Frawley
     Lady in Macy's - Thelma Ritter
     Mrs. Shellhammer - Lela Bliss

Director: George Seaton

Producer: William Perlberg

Screenplay: George Seaton

Cinematography: Charles Clark & Lloyd Ahern

Editor: Robert Simpson

Music: Cyril Mockridge

Based on the story by Valentine Davies

This timeless Christmas classic has been served up every holiday since it was released in 1947 and still remains a favorite of fans. In fact Christmas 1997 marks the 50th anniversary of its release. Hollywood typically felt it was time to modernize this classic a few years ago and their remake was a dismal failure at the box office. Much of this popularity of the genuine item has to do with the impressive cast - in particular - Edmund Gwenn, John Payne, Maureen 'O'Hara, Natalie Wood, and Gene Lockhart. Maureen O'Hara seems to have a knack for performing in all-time Holiday classics; first "Miracle.." then "The Quiet Man." In 1995 Maureen took on another Holiday assignment, a made-for-TV movie "The Christmas Box." The film was so well received by the TV audience that CBS scheduled it again for the 1997 Christmas holidays. It would appear Maureen has yet another Christmas classic to her credit.
Ironically, "Miracle" is the story of a working, single mother, Doris Walker, who holds an administrative position with Macy's Department Store in New York City. This is not the typical theme of most family films of the late 40's when the mentality was that a woman's place was in the home. Natalie Wood plays the darling, but precocious little daughter that Doris is struggling to raise properly. Bitter because of her failed Marriage, Doris makes it a point to teach her daughter that you must accept reality. Fantasy and make-believe have no room in her world.
Two very special men enter the lives of Doris and little Susan, and in true Christmas spirit, it would be Santa Claus who brings them all together. Fred Gailey (played by John Payne) is the handsome young attorney and neighbor who befriends little Susan and becomes smitten with Susan's mother. Edmund Gwenn plays the quaint gentlemen who professes to be the "real" Santa. Problems unfold for both Santa and Fred as they try to bring convince little Susan that it's okay to have dreams and they do come true. The biggest obstacle is when Santa is taken to court and must prove he is indeed, the
real Santa. The ending for this Christmas story is predictably that of blissful happiness.
In the true spirit of Christamas stories, Doris, Fred and Susan not only become a family but they almost magically find a little cottage in the suburbs . Santa, having proven his true identity, mysteriously disappears into our dreams.
Note: This was a movie that Maureen recalls as being "a very pleasant experience." She was privileged to work with very charming people and it remains a pleasant memory for her. When on Johnny Carson show in 1991 promoting "Only The Lonely" Johnny asked her about "Miracle on 34th Street. She said that not long ago she was in New York and was coming out of Mass and these two little boys came up behind her and tugged on her coat. One said, "Are you the lady that knows Santa Claus?" and Maureen smiled and said, "Yes, I know him well." Then, Commenting on two of her "holiday" classics, Maureen said, "A hundred years from now, long after I'm nailed into the box, you'll still be seeing Maureen O'Hara in 'Miracle on 34th Street every Christmas and 'The Quiet Man' on St. Paddy's Day." Those are wonderful prospects.

Essay Copyright 1997, June Parker Beck