Miracle on 34th Street (1994 film)

Last updated

Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street poster.jpg
Original theatrical poster
Directed by Les Mayfield
Screenplay by
Based on
Produced byJohn Hughes
Starring
Cinematography Julio Macat
Edited by Raja Gosnell
Music by Bruce Broughton
Production
companies
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release dates
Running time
114 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$46.3 million [2]

Miracle on 34th Street is a 1994 American Christmas fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Les Mayfield and produced and co-written by John Hughes. The film stars Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J. T. Walsh, James Remar, Mara Wilson, and Robert Prosky. It is the first theatrical remake of the original 1947 film. Like the original, this film was released by 20th Century Fox.

Contents

The New York City based Macy's department store declined any involvement with this remake, saying "we feel the original stands on its own and could not be improved upon"; the fictitious "Cole's" became its replacement. [3] Gimbels had ceased operations in 1987; hence it was replaced by the fictional "Shopper's Express".

Plot

Prior to the Thanksgiving parade, Cole's Department Store's special events director Dorey Walker fires Tony Falacchi, an employee working as the store's Santa Claus when the latter becomes intoxicated. Immediately trying to find a replacement, she spots an elderly man who had been berating Falacchi and begs him to take over; the man introduces himself as Kris Kringle. Kris does so well during the parade that he is immediately hired by Cole's, despite his apparent belief that he is the real Santa Claus.

Kris is lauded by the children and parents who come to visit him, and his unusual proclivity to direct shoppers to other stores where toys can be bought more cheaply is turned into a successful marketing campaign for Cole's. The sudden turnaround of Cole's, which had only recently survived a hostile takeover bid by Victor Landberg, enrages executives at rival firm Shopper's Express, who are led by Jack Duff.

Dorey has persuaded her six-year-old daughter, Susan, that Santa Claus does not exist, and is concerned by Kris's influence on her. Dorey's neighbor, attorney Bryan Bedford, does his best to convince Susan to believe. While being babysat one night by Kris, Susan shares with him her Christmas wish: she would like a dad, a house pictured in the Cole's Christmas catalogue, and a baby brother. Kris asks if she would begin to believe in Santa if she got all those things, and Susan agrees that she would.

Landberg and Duff realize that Kris believes himself to be Santa Claus and leads a plot to destroy his credibility. Duff and his fellow executives pay Falacchi to antagonize Kris in the street and feign an injury when Kris raises his walking stick, leading to Kris's arrest. Bryan provides Kris with legal support and arranges for a court hearing where Kris can make his case. Dorey convinces the chairman of Cole's to show solidarity with Kris, drumming up support from the public. At the court hearing, prosecutor Ed Collins makes the case that Kris is mentally unfit for society, allowing him to state to the court that he is the real Santa Claus.

That evening, Judge Henry Harper privately confides to Bryan that despite Kris's genuine goodwill, he feels he has no choice but to declare him insane. The next morning, just before he can announce his ruling, Susan approaches the judge with a Christmas card containing a $1 bill. On the back, the words In God We Trust are circled. The judge realizes that if the US Department of Treasury can put its official faith in God on US currency with no required standard of evidence, then the people of New York can place their faith in Santa Claus in the same way. Judge Harper dismisses the case, declaring that Santa is real, existing in the person of Kris Kringle.

Following the court case, Dorey and Bryan are maneuvered by Kris into realizing their true feelings for each other, and are married in a small ceremony after the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.

On Christmas morning, Susan wakes to the news of the marriage and is elated to find that she has received one part of her Christmas wish. Together, Susan, Dorey, and Bryan drive out to the catalogue house and find that Kris - who has now departed 'overseas' - has arranged for them to purchase it, which they can now afford due to the size of Dorey's Christmas bonus.

With two of Susan's wishes fulfilled, Dorey asks her what the third one was, and she triumphantly announces that it was a baby brother. Dorey and Bryan both look at each other, shocked, before glancing down at Dorey's stomach and sharing a kiss.

Cast

Various newscasters portrayed by Rosanna Scotto, Joe Moskowitz, Lester Holt, Susie Park, and Janet Kauss

Release

The film had its premiere at Radio City Music Hall on November 15, 1994 with a 30-minute stage show with scenes from The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes as well as a performance from Kenny G. [4]

Reception

At the box office, the film opened at #8 with $2,753,208 and eventually finished with $17,320,136 in North America and $46,264,384 worldwide. [5] [2]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 60% based on reviews from 35 critics, with an average rating of 6.2/10. [6] TV Guide called the film "curiously depressing", [7] while Desson Howe of The Washington Post said, in contrast to the 1947 version, "[it] will not be found on television (or its computer equivalent) half a century from now." [8] Its supporters included Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, who gave the film "two thumbs up" on their show. [9] Michael Medved of Sneak Previews said "This is the new holiday classic America has been waiting for." [10]

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. [11]

Soundtrack

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."Overture" Bruce Broughton Bruce Broughton2:40
2."Jingle Bells" James Pierpont Natalie Cole 3:35
3."It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" Meredith Willson Dionne Warwick 2:23
4."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
 Kenny G 3:56
5."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
 Ray Charles 3:04
6."Joy to the World"
 Aretha Franklin & Members of the FAME Freedom Choir3:04
7."Santa Claus Is Back in Town"
 Elvis Presley 2:26
8."Signing"Bruce BroughtonBruce Broughton2:05
9."Bellevue Carol"Bruce BroughtonBruce Broughton2:15
10."Song for a Winter's Night" Gordon Lightfoot Sarah McLachlan 3:47
Total length:29:15

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Miracle on 34th Street</i> 1947 film by George Seaton

Miracle on 34th Street is a 1947 American Christmas comedy-drama film released by 20th Century-Fox, written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies. It stars Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. The story takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas in New York City, and focuses on the effect of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite.

Kris Kringle may refer to:

<i>Christmas Eve on Sesame Street</i> 1978 American TV series or program

Christmas Eve on Sesame Street is a Sesame Street Christmas special first broadcast on PBS on Sunday, December 3, 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmund Gwenn</span> English actor (1877–1959)

Edmund Gwenn was an English actor. On film, he is best remembered for his role as Kris Kringle in the Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street (1947), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the corresponding Golden Globe Award. He received a second Golden Globe and another Academy Award nomination for the comedy film Mister 880 (1950). He is also remembered for his appearances in four films directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mrs. Claus</span> Wife of Santa Claus

Mrs. Claus is the legendary wife of Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer in Western Christmas tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Prosky</span> American actor (1930–2008)

Robert Prosky was an American actor. He became a well-known supporting actor in the 1980s with his roles in Thief (1981), Christine (1983), The Natural (1984), and Broadcast News (1987).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Claus in film</span>

Motion pictures featuring Santa Claus constitute their own subgenre of the Christmas film genre. Early films of Santa revolve around similar simple plots of Santa's Christmas Eve visit to children. In 1897, in a short film called Santa Claus Filling Stockings, Santa Claus is simply filling stockings from his pack of toys. Another film called Santa Claus and the Children was made in 1898. A year later, a film directed by George Albert Smith titled Santa Claus was created. In this picture, Santa Claus enters the room from the fireplace and proceeds to trim the tree. He then fills the stockings that were previously hung on the mantle by the children. After walking backward and surveying his work, he suddenly darts at the fireplace and disappears up the chimney.

<i>Santa Claus Is Comin to Town</i> (TV special) 1970 television special

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town is a 1970 stop motion Christmas television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions in New York, New York. The film is narrated by Fred Astaire and stars the voices of Mickey Rooney, Keenan Wynn, Robie Lester, Joan Gardner and Paul Frees, as well as an assistant song performance by the Westminster Children's Choir. The film tells the story of how Santa Claus and several Claus-related Christmas traditions came to be. It is based on the hit Christmas song, "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", which was written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie for Leo Feist, Inc. and introduced on radio by Eddie Cantor in 1934; and the story of Saint Nicholas.

<i>Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer</i> (film) 2000 film by Phil Roman

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a 2000 animated Christmas television special directed by Phil Roman. The special was first released on home video in October, and then aired on The WB network on December 21, 2000. The title and story are based on the 1979 novelty song of the same name.

<i>Heres Love</i>

Here's Love is a musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson.

<i>All I Want for Christmas</i> (film) 1991 film by Robert Lieberman

All I Want for Christmas is a 1991 American romantic comedy Christmas film directed by Robert Lieberman, and starring Harley Jane Kozak, Lauren Bacall, Thora Birch, Ethan Randall, and Leslie Nielsen. The score was composed by Bruce Broughton, including a theme-setting song by Stephen Bishop.

<i>Benjis Very Own Christmas Story</i> American TV series or program

Benji's Very Own Christmas Story is a 1978 American Christmas television special featuring Benji the dog and is one of two such Benji specials to have been nominated for an Emmy Award. Patsy Garrett and Cynthia Smith reprise their respective roles as Mary and Cindy. The special was broadcast on ABC on December 7, 1978.

Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas is an American animated 2011 Christmas TV special that aired on CBS on November 25, 2011. The special was based on the Hallmark Cards characters Hoops & Yoyo.

<i>Miracle on 34th Street</i> (1973 film) 1973 television film directed by Fielder Cook

Miracle on 34th Street is a 1973 American made-for-television Christmas comedy-drama fantasy film directed by Fielder Cook. It is the third remake of the original 1947 film. Like the original, this film was produced by 20th Century Fox. Additionally, the New York City-based Macy's department store allowed their name to be used in this film, unlike the later version.

<i>Miracle on 34th Street</i> (novella) 1947 book by Valentine Davies

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) is a best-selling novella by Valentine Davies, based on the story he wrote for the 1947 film with the same name, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Story. After having written the story for the film, Valentine Davies did a novelization of it, which was published as a 120-page novella by Harcourt Brace & Company in conjunction with the film release.

The Miracle on 34th Street (<i>The 20th Century Fox Hour</i>) 6th episode of the 1st season of The 20th Century Fox Hour

"The Miracle on 34th Street" is the Christmas episode of the American anthology television series The 20th Century Fox Hour. Broadcast on December 14, 1955, it was directed by Robert Stevenson, with stars Macdonald Carey, Teresa Wright and Thomas Mitchell as Kris Kringle. One reviewer claimed this version was an improvement over the original movie, stating "shortening the tale has made it brighter and less saccharine."

Miracle on 34th Street (<i>NBC Friday Night Special Presentation</i>) 9th episode of the 1st season of NBC Friday Night Special Presentation

"Miracle on 34th Street" is the Christmas episode, broadcast November 27, 1959, of the American color anthology television series NBC Friday Night Special Presentation, which showcased drama, comedy and musical entertainment and occasional news special reports, while alternating once per month with The Bell Telephone Hour musical series, also in color, in the 8:30–9:30 pm time slot from September 11, 1959 until June 17, 1960.

Kringle is an American children's novel by author Tony Abbott. The story chronicles the origins of Kris Kringle, also known as Santa Claus. The book was released in 2005.

<i>Noelle</i> (2019 film) 2019 film by Marc Lawrence

Noelle is a 2019 American Christmas fantasy comedy film written and directed by Marc Lawrence, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film stars Anna Kendrick as Noelle Kringle, the daughter of Kris Kringle. It also stars Bill Hader, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Billy Eichner, Julie Hagerty, and Shirley MacLaine. In the film, when Noelle's brother Nick is stressed from all the pressure of taking over for their father, he leaves and does not return. She must find her brother and bring him back in time for Christmas. It was filmed from October 2017 to January 2018 in British Columbia and Woodstock, Georgia.

There is a Santa Claus is a 1954 Australian radio serial written by Morris West. It adapted the film Miracle on 34th Street.

References

  1. ↑ Petrikin, Chris (February 18, 1998). "Fox renamed that toon". Variety. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Miracle on 34th Street at Box Office Mojo
  3. ↑ Galbraith, Jane (April 17, 1994). "Reluctant Macy's Rains on New 'Miracle on 34th Street's' Parade". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ Laski, Beth (October 27, 1994). "Gala bow for Fox's 'Miracle'". Variety . p. 16.
  5. ↑ Welkos, Robert W. (November 22, 1994). "Weekend Box Office: Appealing to All 'Generations'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Miracle on 34th Street". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved October 5, 2021. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  7. ↑ "Miracle On 34th Street". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Miracle on 34th Street (PG)". The Washington Post. November 18, 1994.
  9. ↑ "Star Trek Generations, The Swan Princess, Miracle on 34th Street, The Professional, To Live, 1994". Siskel And Ebert Movie Reviews. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  10. ↑ Lyons, Jeffrey (host); Medved, Michael (host) (November 11, 1994). "The Last Seduction/Oleanna/The Swan Princess/Miracle on 34th Street". Sneak Previews . Season 20. WTTW . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Home". CinemaScore. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ Miracle on 34th Street (liner notes). Bruce Broughton. Arista. 1994. 75517449802.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.