Kitch's Top 5 Christmas Movie Countdown - #3 Miracle on 34th Street (1994 version)

Released: November 18, 1994

Starring: Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott, & Richard Attenborough

Director: Les Mayfield

Producer: John Hughes

Writer: Valentine Davies / original screenplay written by George Seaton

Music By: Bruce Broughton

Another classic from producer John Hughes, Miracle on 34^th Street is the modern update of the 1947 film starring Maureen O’Hara, starring Richard Attenborough, perfectly cast as Santa Claus, and Mara Wilson as Susan Walker, whose mother, Dorey (Elizabeth Perkins) doesn’t believe in Santa Claus and, therefore, nor does she.

Dorey is the director of special events for a store called Cole’s, which bears many resemblances to Macy’s, including the fact that they both stage a Thanksgiving parade through downtown New York City. The Santa Claus hired for the final float is found drunk and, at short notice, Dorey recruits an old man (Attenborough) who says his name is Kris Kringle, and, further, believes that he is the real Santa Claus. He soon has children everywhere believing it – including Susan, who is taught about St Nick by Dorey’s lawyer boyfriend, Bryan Bedford (McDermott).

A rival store, Shopper’s Express, launches a plan to discredit the Cole’s Santa Claus, by tricking Kris into snapping at a man hired by Shopper’s Express. The incident is made to look like an assault, and Kris, claiming that he is Santa Claus, is thrown into a mental institution, but to get Kris cleared of the fabricated charges, Bryan must prove that Kris Kringle really is Santa Claus, and therefore prove that Santa Claus exists.

Mara Wilson is obviously the star of the show, and plays the role of precocious, clever Susan perfectly. Her initial stance is that she doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, and so she is the touchstone for the entire film, obviously coming around to believe in St Nick, particularly after he grants her three Christmas wishes – well, two, with one to come – during the court case.

A wonderful feel-good holiday film (and an excellent soundtrack) that reminds us all of the magic of Christmas. Has there ever been a better Santa Claus portrayal than Richard Attenborough’s? He’s perfectly suited to the role.