REMEMBERING THE CHARM OF ‘MIRACLE on 34TH STREET’ AS IT CELERBATES THIRTY YEARS
It’s safe and honest to say that when it comes to holidays, it’s Christmas (and Halloween is loved, too) that gets all the shoutouts and festive love. Irrespective of this, Thanksgiving too has its own sense of comfort and love to go around. It too is a special time of year, though for most it’s because of the good food, there’s also plenty of warmth and comfort to go around. A Thanksgiving tradition for me has been to watch the 1994 adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street. It’s not a film I’ve watched now for a few years, but I still have fond memories of this one. In 2024, Miracle on 34th Street celebrates thirty years and so we too have to reminisce on it.
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REMEMBERING THE CHARM OF ‘MIRACLE on 34TH STREET’ AS IT CELERBATES THIRTY YEARS. Sharing #memories of #Miracleon34thStreet. #ChristmasMovies Share on XA remake of the film featuring Maureen O’Hara, this 90s adaptation has Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson playing an attorney and busy career woman, and her daughter. The film, like most of us already know, follows a court case these characters all become invested in. The case is about whether Santa Claus is real or merely a silly figure in a red suit. It’s an adorable and charming film that is a kind of classic in its own right and has a warmth not all remakes of classics easily capture. This one does, and it’s sweet and lovely.
Today we’re recounting some of the reasons we love Miracle on 34th Street as it celebrated its thirtieth birthday on the 18th of November.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET CELEBRATES THIRTY YEARS
THE DINNER
One of the “silly” reasons to love this film, perhaps, but I do love that the movie pays homage to Thanksgiving; and the hilarious scene between Susan, her mother and Brian. In honesty, as they sit down to eat and Brian remarks on how good the food is, Susan shares that her mother catered the meal and earlier she tells a story of how her mother forgot to “sew the turkey’s bottom.” It’s just a funny bit in the film that always makes me laugh.
KRISS KRINGLE
Richard Attenborough plays Santa Claus here convincingly well. I think he’s actually my favorite actor in the role. He has the twinkle Santa needs while still being a unique character apart from his magical persona. Movie trivia says that Attenborough asked that the young actress playing the deaf child, who was really deaf, not know that he would sign to her which would ideally then mean her reaction on screen is genuine.
I’m not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I I I’m a symbol. I’m a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If you can’t believe, if you can’t accept anything on faith, then you’re doomed for a life dominated by doubt.
– Miracle on 34th Street
RANDOM CAMEOS
I don’t think it meant anything to me at the time I watched this in those early days, but now I’m realizing that there are a host of familiar faces appearing in this. Some are mere minute bit parts while others have a slightly more significant role. From Mary McCormick (from the show In Plain Sight) to William Windom (famous for many roles including Murder, She Wrote), Allison Janney (Mom) to Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time), there are lots of familiar faces.
THE ROMANCE
I’ve always been a fan of good romance from the 90s or early 2000s. The romance in here is ALL KINDS OF GOOD. It’s not primarily a romance so I don’t tag it as one, however this is still a movie that knew how to do it up right. miracle on 34th street memories
SUSAN
I love Mara Wilson’s Susan. She’s such a fun character. I think the way she plays Susan, with a kind of dry and unexcitable mannerism, is also fabulous and for her age, she does it all very well.
THE WHAT if
Growing up, Santa Claus wasn’t a part of my life. He also wasn’t some sort of “taboo” subject either (we had Santa ornaments and wrapping paper, and watched all kinds of movie with the character). But writing letters or having the notion that a man in a bright red suit left presents wasn’t my childhood. Irrespective of this, one of the things I do like about this is the sense of belief in something we cannot disprove. For me, this looks well beyond a fabled figure like Santa Claus, and it’s an inspiring premise that we have, sadly, lost in our lives.
If you want to take a trip down memory lane and celebrate its thirty years, you stream, at publication, Miracle on 34th Street on Disney+, Roku. Digitally purchase or rent on Apple TV+ or search the DVD or BluRay on places like Amazon
Do you enjoy this 1994 version? Or is the classic movie more your thing? Will you be celebrating this Miracle on 34th Street thirty years anniversary? Comment all the comments down below! Let’s chat.
Photos: 20th Century Fox (from Alamy Stock Photo)
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Note; a version of this was first published November 2021. We have updated the post, rewritten most of it, added more reflection thoughts and republished for the 1994 film’s thirtieth anniversary.
Note; we are just sharing the movie trivia we read about this one. I’m not saying its true or accurate, but rather am sharing because if true, it’s interesting!
