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| Miracle On 34th Street - 1994 |
Coming up next is 1994's "Miracle On 34th Street", a remake of that 1947 holiday classic that sees a young girl question her beliefs about Santa, all while he fights for his freedom and prove himself to be the actual Santa Claus.
The film's cast includes Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J.T. Walsh, James Remar, Mara Wilson, Jane Leeves, Simon Jones, William Windom, Robert Prosky, Mary McCormack, Allison Janney, Joss Ackland, and Jennifer Morrison.
It's the Cole's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and everything seems to be going smoothly.
That is until the Cole's Santa Claus is caught inebriated and unfit for duty by an elderly bystander.
The bystander is offered the position as Santa Claus for the parade by Cole's director of special events Dorey Walker. He hesitates, but then decides to do it.
It turns out the man is a hit, energizing the crowd into a Christmas frenzy. He's so successful that he's offered the position of Cole's in-store Santa. The downside? He actually claims to be Kris Kringle himself.
One person who isn't completely enamored with Mr. Kringle is Dorey Walker's daughter, Susan. She's a bit of a downer when it comes to Santa Claus.
The day after the parade, Mr. Kringle takes his place at Cole's department store as their in-store Santa. He insisted on bringing his own suit for the occasion.
Once again, Mr. Kringle is a hit. He even hits on a marketing scheme that appeals to the owners of the store, who have heard nothing but glowing things about the kindly old gentlemen from the customers. If the store doesn't have it or sells it at too high a price, they'll find it for you even if it means sending them somewhere else! "I'm comin' here for everything but toilet paper and bananas," says one happy customer.
Susan goes to visit Mr. Kringle at the store. She enjoys her chat with him, but she's still confused and conflicted as to whether or not he's actually the real deal.
She talks about her feelings with her mother. Dorey tells her daughter to ask Mr. Kringle for something that she would never ask her for. If she doesn't get it, she'll know if he's telling the truth about being Santa.
She gets her chance when Mr. Kringle is roped into babysitting duties one night. She hands him a slip of paper. It features a family. Most specifically, it has a house, a dad, and a brother. Above all else, this is what Susan wants. Mr. Kringle tells her how difficult such a request is, but he asks if he can keep the paper.
Unfortunately for Mr. Kringle, he's set up and trapped one night by a rival department store. He's sent to a mental hospital, and a lengthy court case ensues, which will determine whether or not he's fit to be amongst the public and whether he is who he says he is.
The President of Cole's puts out a commercial. He stands completely behind Mr. Kringle and asks a simple question, "Do you believe in Santa Claus?"
The public support is overwhelming. People all over New York City send their love to Mr. Kringle as he fights in court.
On the final day of the trial, it seems that all of New York City is at a standstill as they wait for the judge's verdict.
Things turn out well for Mr. Kringle. The judge dismisses the case. The entire city erupts into a celebratory cheer.
Things turn out well for Susan, too. On Christmas Eve, her mother marries the lawyer who defended Mr. Kringle in court.
Susan is thrilled on Christmas morning when her mother lets her know that she's got a dad.
She also gets the house that she wanted. "I guess there's no doubt about it," she says. "He's real."
She knows she'll have to wait for the final thing she asked for. Imagine her parents' surprise when she mentions that she asked for a baby brother!
Cast rundown:
Richard Attenborough...................................Kris Kringle
Elizabeth Perkins..........................................Dorey Walker
Dylan McDermott.........................................Bryan Bedford
J.T. Walsh....................................................Ed Collins
James Remar...............................................Jack Duff
Mara Wilson.................................................Susan Walker
Jane Leeves.................................................Alberta Leonard
Simon Jones................................................Donald Shellhammer
William Windom...........................................C.F. Cole
Robert Prosky..............................................Judge Henry Harper
Mary McCormack..........................................Myrna Foy
Allison Janney..............................................Woman At Cole's
Joss Ackland................................................Victor Landbergh
Jennifer Morrison..........................................Denice
And that's it for Miracle On 34th Street. For the filming, the photography director decided to put a light above each actor's head. This achieved a glow like effect, which was popular in the 1990s. It also helped to project the warm feel of a remake.
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