Best Christmas Movie/Book Ever

While in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1944, Valentine Davies (1905-1961) wrote the story from which director George Seaton (1911-1979) wrote the screenplay for the movie Miracle on 34th Street (1947).  Davies was discouraged by the rampant commercialism that had invaded the Christmas holiday season, and so he wondered what the real Santa Claus would say if he were to walk into a modern American department store after Thanksgiving.  So he created this wonderful fictional tale of Kris Kringle, who lived in a senior citizens community home on Long Island but became the store Santa at Macy's Department Store on West 34th Street in Manhattan.

Following development of the movie, Davies wrote a novelization based upon the screenplay (and also elements from his original story).  The book is as good as the movie, and we have it available to checkout from our Evergreen Indiana catalog.  Our book trailer summarizes the plot.

MPL Book Trailer #233
Miracle on 34th Street, by Valentine Davies

Davies received the 1948 Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story, while Seaton garnered Best Adapted Screenplay.  Edmund Gwenn, who played Kris Kringle in the movie, captured the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

The movie was remade in 1994, and I'm sure it was fine.  My minions said it was okay.  We're not big fans of remakes, but that's no reason not to watch it, if you want.

Treat yourselves to this wonderful book and the movie, too, which is also available in our Evergreen Indiana catalog.  There's a colorized version (2006), but it's better in the original black-and-white.  See if you can find a copy of the original.

I love this movie and book.  Okay, minions, time to read to moi, then we'll watch the film.  Snacks, sooner than later, minions.  Just saying.

Your Roving Reporter On The Go,

Cauli Le Chat

P.S.  Here's a clip from the original 1947 movie in which Kris Kringle explains that Christmas isn't just a day; it's a frame of mind.  What a wonderful philosophy!