Miracle on 34th Street (1947) is a classic Christmas movie that follows the story of a man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) as he attempts to restore a sense of nostalgic, wholesome Christmas magic in the hearts of adults and even children who deem it unrealistic. Along with commentary on consumerism and faith, Miracle on 34th Street features humor that is both age-appropriate and entertaining, making it a perfect film for families.
The movie comments on kindness in a world ever characterized by consumerism. The plot revolves around the Macy’s department store in New York City and its efforts to maximize profits during the holiday season. Kringle, hired by Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara) as the store’s Santa Claus, attempts to spread his conviction that authenticity and kindness should be prioritized over economic benefit. He begins recommending other stores to shoppers who seek products not sold by Macy’s. The head of the department store, R.H. Macy (Harry Antrim), only approves of this move once he notices that it brings in more customers, thus raising his profits. For him and others in the industry, kindness is a strategy rather than a value.
Another central theme is belief. Kringle shares that he is the real Santa Claus and is met with skepticism and fear. Even Doris’s young daughter, Susan Walker (Natalie Wood), does not believe that he is actually Santa. This commentary explores how younger generations are becoming less interested in childhood fantasies and have a more nuanced understanding of the world and its issues. The film suggests that this is a negative change that impairs children’s ability to play and grow healthily.
Miracle on 34th Street has left a considerable impact on the film industry; many Christmas movies follow similar themes or even directly reference it. For example, the more contemporary film Elf also references these subjects; a large portion of the movie takes place in Gimble’s (another American department store) and has a similar juxtaposition between the magic and consumerism of the holiday. Additionally, in both films, the figure of Santa represents the Christmas spirit as a whole. As a result of the lack of belief in Santa, he himself suffers, and it is only when people come together to celebrate the season without materialism that he and the holiday prevail.
Miracle on 34th Street is a timeless film that offers a taste of nostalgia in a busy world and will continue to do so year after year. Although not well known to the majority of the younger generations, it is a classic that should not be dismissed when considering the best Christmas movies.