Is he Santa or isn’t he Santa?
This annual favorite is set in the Macy’s department store between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and has a star-studded cast of Hollywood’s finest. Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Gene Lockhart star in this timeless classic. Edmund Gwenn won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the same category for his portrayal of Kris Kringle.
This movie has it all: intoxication, impersonation, fraud, brand loyalty, politics, court drama, psychological evaluation and battery. It’s a heck of a fun tale!
Billed as a comedy-drama, this movie was released in 1947 and directed by George Seaton who won an Oscar for this screenplay. He had a long history as a screenwriter having penned Don Ameche’s That Night in Rio (1941), Moon Over Miami (1941) starring Betty Grable and Jack Benny’s Charley’s Aunt (1941). He wrote comedies, westerns and historical war films.
All total, Miracle on 34th Street won three Academy Awards that included Best Writing, Original Story, as well as Seaton and Gwenn’s awards.
It was shot during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so they used real parade footage, and they only had one shot to get it right. O’Hara and Gwenn were both out in a bitterly cold winter air, while Wood and Payne were viewing the parade from behind a window. Even though it was a Christmas movie, it didn’t open until June of 1947 on the premise that more people went to the movies when the weather was warmer.
The Christmas window displays at Macy’s were sold to FAO Schwarz who later sold them to BMO Harris Bank in Wisconsin where they are on display every year.
Fun Fact: Miracle on 34th Street was the first full-length B&W film that was colorized.
Fun Fact: The remake in the 1990s didn't include Macy's because Macy's said that the first movie was good enough and another wasn't needed.
If you like lots of colors, here are some great choices for handmade gifts that are quite colorful:
Happy Fall Big Letter Digital Art Sticker
Sparkled like Diamonds Florida Flower Photography
Butterfly Earrings, Purple Orange Lime Enamel Wings with Matching Lampwork Beads
Mini Thank You Cards in Neon Bright Colors 3" Set of 10
Knitted Scarf Autumn Color Viscose Chenille Hand Dyed Yarn
Farm Animals Cupcake Toppers
Rainbow Dichroic Saturn Earrings
Star of David Jewelry, Goldtone Colorful Rhinestone
Red Cloisonné Pink Rose Cross Pendant Necklace
Unique Centerpiece Tray, Stand Rare Exotic Woods
Handmade Lampwork Glass Lentil Bead Set
Multicolor Wooden Stretch Beaded Bracelet
Set of 6 15mm Handmade Polymer Clay Beads Black, Green Jewelry Supplies
Don’t see what you want here?
Here are some more places to shop handmade by these artists, and if nothing else, ask one of them to create something for you.
Countdown to Christmas 2022
Week 3
More Places to Shop:
Favorite Christmas Movies - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Favorite Christmas Movies - A Christmas Story
Check back for more gift ideas.
Happy gift giving,
Julie
Thanks so much for including my pink flower picture. I am very appreciative! Great blog! Pinning all done, now to tweets. I thank you for including me ❤🥰⚘
I’ve not watched the original but I did watch the remake and I enjoyed it. Love the colorful findings you have here, thank you for including our cupcake toppers. Off to share.
Julie, we love that movie. Thanks for including my Star of David necklace along with your colorful items.
Thank you for including our Cross necklace in your blog. It is filled with wonderful gifts sure to tempt discerning shoppers.
Thanks Julie – Harry. This is a great post and I have to admit, I’ve never seen the movie – but will NOW.
Appreciate being included in this colorful collection. Tweets scheduled – promoted!