MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION 

It's impossible for me to not cry at the Dutch girl scene. The context of her being adopted by an American family shortly after WWII should reduce anyone to tears. How joyous she becomes as she realizes she's met the real Santa. Can't get any more heartwarming than that.

The Dutch girl was orphaned in World War 2 and adopted by the woman who brought her to see Santa Claus. According to a Dutch person online, Kris asked her in Dutch what she wanted for Christmas, and in Dutch she said, "The only thing I want is to be with this lovely lady."

"Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind." Fun Fact: When Edmund Gwenn accepted his Best Supporting Actor Oscar, he said, "Now I know there's a Santa Claus." Also, the film was shot during a bitterly cold New York winter. On several occasions, the cameras literally froze. Maureen O'Hara remembered that a woman named Vaughn Mele lived across the street from where they were shooting exteriors and allowed the crew to warm up in her house. In gratitude, Maureen O'Hara took her and her husband to the famed "21" restaurant, she was so excited all she could drink was a glass of milk.

FYI the scene with the Dutch girl is very poignant: her adoptive mother explains she was in an orphanage in Rotterdam "since ....". Rotterdam was subject to an infamous bombing in 1940. This little girl has been in that city till very recently, having "just come over", in 1947.

"Post office guy," who had the bright idea to send all the Dear Santa letters to Kris, was Jack Albertson. He went on to win a Tony, an Emmy, and an Oscar. He was most widely known for his roles as The Man in "Chico and the Man" (Emmy, 1974) and as Grandpa Joe in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971).

I've been stuck in bed very sick for several days but for the last 30 minutes I was pain free feeling the joy of Christmas pouring out of you. Thank you so much for the peace.

This movie spans generations. It doesn't get old because it affects everyone the same way. I'm 60 and have been watching this movie every Christmas since I was that little girl Susies age. I could have bet money you'd react the way you did. Good job!

This movie has one of the most heartwarming scenes. When he and the little Dutch girl sing the Christmas song it is just so sweet. I also love it every time someone in film is lying and you call them out, "Liar!" :).

The cigar-smoking advisor to the judge was William Frawley, who within a few years went on to lasting fame (at least to us old timers) as Fred Mertz on the I Love Lucy show (which in addition to being a great comedy series, was a unique phenomenon, coming at the very dawn of the tv age. (It was so popular that the water pressure dropped all over Manhattan whenever a commercial came on and all of New York City took a bathroom break.)

This is absolutely one of my favorite Christmas movies ever! My all-time favorite is "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby. It's a musical. So glad that you liked this one!

Edmund Gwenn won the Oscar for best supporting actor for playing Kris Kringle. Becoming the first actor to win an Oscar for playing Santa Clause.

This is my all-time favorite movie (tied with THE RIGHT STUFF). Edmund Gwenn grew his own beard and gained 30 pounds to play Kris Kringle and won an Academy Award for his performance. Upon winning his Oscar he said, "Now I know there's a Santa Claus!" Thanks for showing it. I experience the magic with each viewing.

When I was a child with a penchant for watching old movies, I absolutely loved Edmund Gwenn. He projected such an amazing cuddly charm and charisma.

My favorite Christmas movie ever. This is the one that always starts my Christmas season on the evening of Thanksgiving. Santa Claus comes at the end of the parade, and Christmas officially starts. I've seen this movie so many times that I didn't think I would get emotional. Then your kind words and Christmas wishes at the end brought out the tears. Merry Christmas!🎄🎅

This is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies! I grew up watching this every year on television in the 1970s & 1980s. Today I always find myself getting choked up and crying like this 😭 as the movie ends because it’s just so honestly and disarmingly sweet and pure-hearted and seeing Edmund Gwenn’s face just light up like a Christmas tree as the bagfuls of letters to Santa are unloaded on the judge’s desk is just so beautiful and such an outpouring of love!

So happy you loved this! Another warm-hearted, charming, sweet Christmas film is “The Bishop’s Wife”, (1947) starring Cary Grant. (Two kids from “It’s A Wonderful Life” are in the cast.)

Absolutely and iconic film for everyone to love and share with their family. Maureen O'Hara Natalie Wood such phenomenal acting and the story is just beautiful and heartwarming

One of the best Christmas films ever! The messaging of family and believing in what's important to you and yours is timeless. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

The 1947 is the only version I will watch every time it comes on.

You are the miracle, your appreciation of things lesser known is uplifting. I haven't seen this movie in 40 years or so and it is only because of you that I saw it again. You have my gratitude.

Love this movie. The Dutch girl was adopted because her parents were killed in WWII - they don't say it, but it makes this scene all the more special.

By all accounts from the cast and crew, everyone loved working with Edmund Gwenn, so much that Natalie Wood was convinced he really was Santa Claus.

This is my absolute favorite Christmas movie. My grandson is now 4 and is questioning the existence of Santa. I tell him that I still believe. And I have good reason. When I was in high school, my cousin and I worked in the Santa booth at one of the smaller malls in town. One evening, Santa called in sick, so we needed someone to fill in. After calling all of our friends, to no avail, I called my daddy. I asked him to check at his bank office for some underpaid teller who wanted some extra cash. Within the hour, my daddy suited up and became one of the best Santas the mall had ever seen. He stayed with us through the season. Even after I left home, he continued to play Santa in the mall, moving to the largest mall in town. Mom made him a beautiful velvet Santa suit and she made herself a Mrs. Claus outfit. Until the year before he died, my daddy played Santa for church, the Lion's Club, Rotary Club, and for friends and family, and never took a single penny for those times. When someone asks if I believe in Santa, I say of course, he's my Daddy.

To me this was the greatest Christmas movie ever. Maybe one of the best movies of all time. Great writing and acting. at 46, I still go out every Christmas eve and look up at the sky to see if I might see something.

You talked about Macy’s being in a “mall.” In actuality, Macy’s on 34th Street in Herald Square stands on its own taking up an entire city block. It’s massive and wonderful. I visited there in 2009 and all the window displays around the block were scenes from this movie. Animatronic figures we’re moving in each scene and they were sculpted to look just like the actors in this movie. On every window was a quote from the script that best described the scene inside…with “Believe” written in gold letters next to it. I know it’s just advertising, but I have never seen a more wonderful campaign, ever!

Seeing this young ladies reaction might be to some people like watching this movie along with the child they never had and her expressions of surprise, wonder and delight tend to brighten a dark day. She is reaching people more than she may know. Thank you

I work at Macy's 34th street and had the privilege of being in the Thanksgiving parade one year. The prep before and after is crazy, but once your in the parade it's amazing. I had great fun and my family saw me on tv. P.S. Merry Christmas to all.

Edmund Gwenn absolutely IS Santa Claus. Never seen such perfect casting in my life. This is one of my favourites for sure - and yes, I still get goosebumps when they show the cane by the fireplace! 😍 Fantastic reaction!

The house that little Natalie Wood runs across the front yard and into still exists in Port Washington, NY, a town a few miles away from my home. Every year, I drive past and remember this movie (and so do lots of other families too).

"Can this get any sweeter?" = Pretty much sums up what makes these old movies (like this one & It's a Wonderful Life) so great, even today!

This movie was released maybe six months after Its A Wonderful Life, two black and white films that are at the top of the list of films we watch every year. Natalie Wood is the little girl and she is so good in this film. Enjoyed your reaction Cassie.

The Dutch girl is a war orphan and she was adopted by that lady. She was telling Santa how much she loves her new mom.

We usually start our Christmas movie season with this one. Don't know how many times I've seen it in my 58 years, but it's been a staple since childhood. For me, Natalie Wood (Susan) makes the movie as much as anyone. She's so precocious and adorable. "Oh. Like if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I thought so." The way she rolls her eyes is so perfect. I'm glad you found this movie at last. No one should have Christmas without it.

​so they don't say it but the Dutch girl is obviously a war orphan. that would've hit audiences a LOT harder in '47...

This is the first Christmas in 18 years that I haven’t been able to dress up as Santa for the local kindergarten and the day care. Seeing this old classic from my childhood almost makes up for it. Merry Christmas everyone.

Yesterday I watched It's a Wonderful Life in the theater for the 75th anniversary, it was much more emotional to see it in the theater then any of the times I've seen it on a small screen

I’m 72 and I grew up watching this wonderful movie - I couldn’t begin to guess how many times I’ve seen it, all I can say is what a special treat it was to watch you see it for the first time and the joy you got from it -Thanks for this special gift ❤

This is one of those films that should be rewatched every few years, in my opinion. Especially when Christmas spirits are strained. It may be old, but the messages are still there. 😊

Edmund Gwenn's performance as Kringle was so convincing that he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor-the only actor who has played Santa to do this!

This movie has been remade many times. This is still the best version.

The old songs and B&W Christmas movies are before my time , but they are All the best versions by far! A Christmas Carol 1951 with Alastair Sim is awsome and is the one to watch

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies. The way they work out that he actually IS Santa is just brilliant.

We +50 year olds to 70 grew up watching this in Chicago every Christmas season . This , Its a Wonderful Life , and A Christmas Carol got us in the holiday spirit.

Wow. That was great. Thank you Cassie. I was shocked - SHOCKED - to see this one come up in your queue. "What!? She's never seen Miracle on 34th Street!? She's going to LOVE it!" It's hard to put into words how much I love this movie. It's far and away my favorite Christmas movie of all time, and Edmund Gwenn is, in my opinion, the best movie Santa of all time. I watch it multiple times each Christmas season, and what the heck, I break it out in the middle of July sometimes, too. My favorite scene, without a doubt, is the scene with the Dutch girl. When Kris speaks Dutch to her, and sings Sinterklaas Kapoentje with her, I choke up and tear up, no matter how many times I've seen it. Heck, I teared up during that scene in this video! Richard Attenborough (who's also a world-class movie Santa) has a similar scene in the 1994 remake where he signs with a deaf girl. There are lots of stories about the filming of this picture, about how much Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood grew to love Edmund and how much fun the entire production was. My favorite factoid about it is that the parade scenes with Kris on the float were REAL. Edmund Gwenn got into costume and played Santa on the float in the actual 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. FYI to all the fans: there is a colorized version of this wonderful film available on DVD. I know many purists don't like colorized versions of black and white films, but the colorized version of this one is excellent quality and brings a greater depth and dimension to the film than the original. I only watch the colorized version now. It's available at Amazon. Only ten dollars, an exceptional bargain! www.amazon.com/Miracle-Street-Black-White-Colourised/dp/B000J20CUW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=miracle+on+34th+street+colorized+1947&qid=1671587721&sprefix=miracle+on+34th+street+color%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-3

Alastair Sim 1951 A Christmas Carol has no competition.

This classic features the child actress, Natalie Wood, who went on to have a spectacular career. Starring in this is the stunning red haired Irish beauty and close friend of both John Wayne and Liz Taylor was Maureen O'Hara. She had already a great career and demonstrated her a singing talent and dancing skills in the original film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." She continued making movies into the 1980s and was the only woman in American history to own and operate a commercial airline.

Another movie I have seen at least a hundred times. My favorite part is when the Judge says, "Overruled!" This movie has been somewhat bittersweet since 2005. I lost my Father the Friday before Father's Day and the actor playing Alfred looked so much like my Dad did when he was young.

This is my favorite version. But I did want to mention that the 1994 version has _Richard Attenborough_ as _Kris Kringle._ He played _John Hammond_ the creator of *Jurassic Park,* and _Bartlett/Big X_ in *The Great Escape.* It's a solid remake. But as I said, this one's my favorite. ☃️ MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄

It was sooooo fun watching this movie with you. It felt like watching it again with a friend. Thank you so much!!! Merry Christmas!!!

It’s definitely a Christmas Classic !! You’re without a doubt the most genuine movie reviewer in this market. You bring all who watch right into your feelings !! God Bless you Cassie !! 🙏🏻✝️❤️

This is one of those rare movies where the remake (in colour) is just as heartwarming.

Fun facts: The parade footage shown in the film is from the actual 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Edmund Gwenn (who plays Kris Kringle) really was the Santa Claus in the Macy's Parade that year.

I was so happy when I saw the thumbnail! My favorite Christmas movie of all time-- watch it every Thanksgiving to kick off the season. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

for me ...being adobted at 3 weeks old , and haveing a mum & dad , priceless ,,,, And at 25 years old Finding my Birth mother , and other , blood relatives , and still my adopted relatives ....the gift is so great. // my mum died on october 2022 , but great memories , . Still know my Birth mother , and , with my dad . LIFE is great Keep it Love it xoxox

I feel the same as you. I never felt my parents lied to me. Christmas was a magical time for me. And even when I began to realize that my mom and dad were Santa, it was just as wonderful. Instead of fessing up to my knowledge, I played along, not just for my little sisters, but for my mom and dad. I realized that they got just as much joy out of playing Santa as I got in knowing Santa. And when my parents realized that I knew who Santa was, they included me. I remember quite a few times my dad would mirthfully say something about Santa to my little sisters and would wink at me. It would cause me to break into a knowing smile and would make me feel so special. I still delight and tear up with those memories. And so it went with my own children, and then with their own. I love seeing my teenage grandkids playing along for their little siblings They really play it up. It's magical and beautiful. It is a wonder to see all the love between the siblings and all of the cousins. Christmas Eve is the best part of my year as we all gather in my home for presents, games, food, and talk of Santa from the older kids for the benefit of the younger ones. Santa and the magic surrounding is a memory that I will take with me to the end of my days. Santa is my family. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Thelma Ritter is an amazing actress, the skeptical mother who is amazed by Kris. Great line: "I speak French but that doesn't make me Joan of Arc!" (Loving Cassie's hat, by the by.) True story: this actor turned up as a scientist in the movie "Them," the one about giant ants, and a young Steven Spielberg exclaimed "The scientist is Santa Claus!" Another great line: "You've heard of the French nation -- well, there's the imagination." Natalie Wood was always a fine actress, amazing to see her here as a child. Y'know, the really great part of this is that Santa finally got to see all his mail! Anyway, I hope you see why THIS is my Xmas movie -- Wonderful Life is fine, but this does it for me. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Natalie Wood is a revelation in this. She should have won some sort of award. Her best performance IMO, god rest her soul. Such a wonderful film.

He wasn't the mall Santa Claus as malls didn't exist yet in the 1940's. In case you didn't know, Macys and Gimbels were the biggest department store rivals in NYC, with their flagship stores facing each other in Herald Square. The little girl was played by Natalie Wood, one of the biggest actresses in the 1960's & 1970's.

I watched this movie with a girl I was dating in high school. We were both well past our "believing in Santa Claus" years. When the movie concluded she looked at me wide eyed and said, "What if there really is a Santa Claus and he's been locked away in the booby hatch by some stupid psychologist?" That's when I fell in love for the first time. How could I not?

When my boys were young and Christmas was nigh I'd start pretending I was seeing elves outside the windows when it was close to bedtime. I told them that they were making the list of good kids for Santa and they were checking if they were going to bed on time. It worked and they loved it. They told me so when they grew up. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎑

I can't think of anyone who would love, and appreciate this movie more than you. Watching this with you kindled my holiday spirit, and just made me happy. This movie is one of, if not my favorite Christmas movie, the others being, a Christmas story, Prancer, and a Christmas Carol. It totally holds up, even in the modern day, it is hip, and entertaining. I don't even care if it is in Black and White. I'm with you, I love to believe in the magic of Christmas, santa Claus is real, merry Christmas.

"Isn't Gimbels where Elf takes place?" Yes, it is! And its association with this Christmas movie is why they used it as the setting for "Elf"! 😁Actually, at the time this movie was made, Gimbels was a real chain of stores, just like Macys. The filmmakers, actually, had to get special permission from both Gimbels and Macys to use their names in the movie. Gimbels had been around for over a hundred years even by the time this movie was made but, they went out of business in the 1980s.

I've been a Santa now since 1975. This is the Santa I portray. And the kids know the difference between a condescending conversation and the real thing. Going around on Christmas Eve through the town unannounced, have never not been allowed entry into anyone's home. Come baring stocking stuffers and the chance to get a photo with Santa in front of their own tree! With the help of my buddy, we have gathered goodies all year long to fill several Santa bags, and strangely always seem to have that one hard to find item the child asks for. We even have gifts for the adults. Folks want to know what big company is backing us up, but it was only the two of us. Have to be done by midnight ('cause the real Santa starts his run) then we leave via a church and pass out remaining goodies. My friend is gone now and I still manage much shorter visits that make my Christmas special.

Mrs. Shellhammer was so funny. Edmund Gwenn as Santa was wonderful. I'm so glad you watched the original instead of the remakes. The originals are always best.

Hands down my favorite Christmas movie. It's just wall-to-wall wholesome storytelling! 😍

I *knew* you would love this film. It’s perfect for you. When I was a child in the late 60s, this film always played on television the day after Thanksgiving. It was the beginning of the Christmas season. :)

Natalie Woods was a brilliant child actress. She would memorize not only her lines but the lines of all the characters in her scenes so that she knew her cues when to talk. However she was still a child so she believed that Edmund Gwen really was Santa who had come the studio to work in the movie. She was truly disappointed when she saw him at the Wrap Party, at the end of filming, appearing without his beard.

I’m so glad that you watched the original. The remake (1994) is cute but nothing compared to this one. I love that you love old movies. Merry Christmas ♥️🎅🏼

So glad you watched and reacted to this! It amazes me how many people have yet to discover old classics like this and It's a Wonderful Life. For me, they are yearly must-sees.

So many really old movies seem hokey, but this one stands the test of time. I have seen this movie dozens of times, and it ALWAYS makes me smile and leaves me feeling so lighthearted!! I hope your kids watch it and believe!! 🎅

In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kringle (Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy's annual Thanksgiving parade. He proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain's main store in midtown Manhattan. When he surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and more importantly, his authenticity.

This is one that should really be watched with your sister!

I love this movie and I wish they would show it after the Macys Parade instead of the dog show. It’s the perfect movie to kick off the Christmas season!

Back in the 1980's I worked at Brooks Brothers on Madison Ave. in Manhattan at Christmastime for a few years selling men's clothing. It was a very old-fashioned store largely unchanged since the 1940's. Those Christmases all felt like I was living in the world of Miracle on 34th St. (1947). I loved that place.

I totally agree. I too never felt my parents were lying to me and my siblings. My parents kept it fun in anticipation of Christmas morning 😊

Such a sweet Christmas film, this is. It's not even one of my favorites, even so, it’s just so sweet. Edmund Gwenn is wonderful as Santa. Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, likewise, are delightful in this.

I'm so glad that you've finally watched "Miracle on 34th Street", this is the perfect movie for you!

This always made my husband teary eyed too. We loved the Classic movies.

We happen to be having a little bit of a difficult Christmas this year. Our house is three months beyond the deadline for being renovated. We had no water on Thanksgiving so no Thanksgiving meal and now we are unable to access our first floor for the next week. We must live either in the bedroom or the basement den which we will only be able to access by going out our front door, around the house and down outdoor steps (our house is built on a steep incline) beginning tomorrow until sometime after Christmas (the floors are being sanded and refinished) and we have a winter storm advisory for blizzard conditions starting tomorrow morning. We are new in the area and far from family and friends (we just retired after 30 years in the military chaplaincy) and so we will be unable to cook in our kitchen which we cannot access and will be eating cold sandwiches, etc. for the next few days due to being unable to eat out (blizzard conditions) and restaurants all closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas! Kind of bleak. Hoping we will not lose power on top of it all. I know in the grand scheme of things that things could be much worse, but all of this coming around the holidays has made things kind of tough. Thank you for your warm thoughts and considerate comments and thank you for showing one of my favorite Christmas movies. Hoping you have a blessed holiday season this year!

Talk about the perfect Christmas Story, I had forgotten how great this was! Cassie, you bring a tear to my eye seeing you so happy watching these old movie classics, Merry Christmas!!!

I adore both the original and the remake, they were staples of my childhood, and Natalie Wood was great as Susan.

The little girl in this film is Natalie Wood, who later won Awards for her performances. She became a Mega-Star and died at age 42 by accidental drowning - (but believed to be a homicide) -

A local, independent, theater near me showed this on the big screen last night. I watched this movie I don't know how many times, but it was the first time I saw this movie in a theater.

Kris Kringle is actually a name derived from the German word Kristkindel which means Christ Child. During the Protestant Reformation, there was a push to remove Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) from the holiday and replace him with Jesus riding on a donkey giving out gifts. In Czech Republic and certain parts of Germany, this has persisted, but in most English speaking countries, Kris Kringle has become a name for Santa.

I love your joy in these reactions! 😊

The old Christmas movies are the best, The Bishops Wife, Christmas in Connecticut, It Happened on Fifth Avenue, White Christmas, We're no Angel's, Holiday Affair, All Mine to Give, The Shop Around the Corner, Remember the Night, Holiday Inn all really great movies!

You had the perfect reaction to this childhood favorite of mine. I was born on Dec. 25th, 1960 and this was exactly how life was in America was back in the day. Wonderful and magical , and you should do a live watch along every Christmas Eve …it would be fun. Keep up the great work , although, I did wish your sister was here for that one . ❤

This one of three movies I watch every year. This movie always make me feel so good.

I love watching you react to the movies. Especially this time, you were totally adorable! This is one of my favorite movies! It’s a classic, they don’t make movies like this anymore.

Loved your reaction. Maureen O'Hara said that by halfway through filming, everybody working on the movie believed Edmund Gwenn was Santa Claus. Absolute perfect casting. The judge is played by Gene Lockhart, who plays Bob Cratchit in the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. His real-life wife (Kathleen) and daughter (June) play Mrs. Cratchit and one of the Cratchit children. It's one of my favorite versions of Christmas Carol. Another Christmas connection: June Lockhart played Mrs. Claus in "The Night They Saved Christmas", another movie I enjoy a lot. PS - John Payne, who played Mr. Gailey, is an often overlooked actor. He's been excellent in everything I've seen him in. Tieing into the winter theme, he made some pretty entertaining movies with Sonja Henie.

My family and I have been watching this, It's A Wonderful Life, A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Little Drummer Boy every Christmas Eve Since I was very young. I just turned 59. I still watch them every Christmas Eve. Brings back very fond memories. BTW The man who played Santa, Edmunda Gwenn Won the Best Supporting Actor Both The Oscar and Golden Globe. For portraying Santa.

This is my favorite Christmas movie of all time!

I've always watched the 90s version. This is the first time I've seen this one. Thank you for spreading the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

I went to the Macy’s parade as a kid in the 1970s, when it was much easier to go…back then you could just show up, and you could always find room along the street to stand and watch. It was in the 1990s that the crowds started to get crazy.

Little Susan is played by a very young Natalie Wood, who grew up to become an A List actress, winning several Golden Globes and was nominated several times for an Oscar. She died suspiciously overboard from her husband Robert Wagner's yacht in 1981 - also present was Christopher Walken. Her talent can indeed be seen at the tender age of 8.

One of my favorite Christmas movies. Thanks Cassie! Happy holidays to everyone!

Thanks again for showing me films that I would have never paid attention to before. This was a fun watch and continue to enjoy watching these films with you. Marry Christmas and Happy New Year Cassie and your Family.

Kris is played by Edmund Gwenn, a lovely supporting actor from the Hollywood era. This was probably his standout role, but he pops up in many movies starting all the way from the silent era. The judge is played by Gene Lockhart. He has another Christmas movie connection, having played Bob Cratchit in 1938s version of "A Christmas Carol". One of his screen children there is his real daughter, June Lockhart, who was well known to kids of my generation as the mother in "Lost in Space" and the eventual replacement for the deceased Bea Benadaearet (sp) in "Petticoat Junction". Another tv presence that made me happy was William Frawley, warning the judge about re-election. He was one of the quartet of main characters in "I Love Lucy". Doris is Maureen O'Hara, an Irish-born actress who often acted opposite John Wayne. In fact, I first got to enjoy watching her in "The Quiet Man", a movie where I also got to like Wayne. Here's a bit for you: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MkQyRE0byBI.html And Susan is very young Natalie Wood, whom you may or may not be familiar with as the Maria in the 1960s movie version of "West Side Story". She was already an experienced actor by this movie, and had a more than respectable career until her untimely and controversial drowning. Here's a bit from one of my favorite roles for her, as spunky, bright and stubborn Maggie DuBois in "The Great Race": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-igcOtdAoM2g.html

This is probably my favorite Christmas movie... I know times weren't always easy, but I really feel like we've lost a lot from the innocence of that time.

This movie was released in the summer, it wasn't expected to become a Christmas classic.