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Features: DVD
Miracle On 34th Street is an irresistible fable that has, for many, become synonymous with celebrating Christmas. The holiday season is in full swing when a cultured gentleman with twinkling eyes, an ample belly and a snowy white beard (Edmund Gwenn) is hired as Macy's department store Santa. He claims his name is Kris Kringle, and soon fills everyone with the Christmas spirit -- except for his boss, Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), who's raising her daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) to not believe in Santa. But when Kris is declared insane and put on trial, everyone's faith is put to the test as old and young alike face the age-old question: Do you believe in Santa Claus? An Academy Award-winner (1947) for Best Supporting Actor (Gwenn), Best Original Story and Best Screenplay, this timeless tale of faith, love and imagination remains one of the most popular and best-loved holiday films of all time.
"A miracle of originality..." New York Post
"...a beloved and heartwarming film..." The Motion Picture Guide
"Delightful comedy-fantasy..." Leonard Maltin
Editor's Note
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.
Plot Summary
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...
| Features | English Subtitles | | Spanish Subtitles | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | English Dolby Mono | | French Dolby Mono | | Standard Version | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Foxvideo |
| Release Date: 10/6/2009 |
| Running Time: 96 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1947 | | Catalog ID: 4112755 | | UPC: 00086162127557 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Video: B&W |
Aspect Ratio | | 4:3 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1948) |  | Edmund Gwenn, Winner, Best Supporting Actor | | Valentine Davies, Winner, Best Writing, Original Story | | George Seaton, Winner, Best Writing, Screenplay | | | William Perlberg, Nominee, Best Picture | |
Golden Globe (1948) | | George Seaton, Winner, Best Screenplay | | Edmund Gwenn, Winner, Best Supporting Actor |
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| | Professional Reviews | Sight and Sound
"...Seaton's paean to seasonal goodwill remains profoundly watchable..." 01/01/2001 p.64Total Film
4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here really is no better flick to curl up with over the festive season." 01/01/2007 p.137 The Motion Picture Guide 0 of 10
Here is a beloved and heartwarming film that is shown regularly, and rightly so, every Christmas, a tale for young and old, even the cynical who won't stand a chance resisting the message and accepting the glowing image. Gwenn walks away with this film as the man who spreads the true meaning of Christmas and embodies the spirit of Yuletide... [He] gives one of the most charming, endearing performances in the history of film, an image so appealing that his gentle personality has been indelibly identified with the spirit of Santa Claus and Christmas ever since the completion of this superb production. He won an Oscar for this role, and there was never any doubt that he would. Christmas has been profiled in dozens of films, but seldom, if ever, has the Yuletide been so wonderfully presented.
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