Miracle on 34th Street

George Seaton | 1947 | ★★★½
Hired as a department store Santa by a pragmatic single mother, a man claiming to be Kris Kringle makes it his mission in the run-up to Christmas to get the young woman’s sceptical daughter to come to believe in him, despite her being brought up without a sense of whimsy. However, when a tuppence ha'penny shrink tries to have him committed, all appears lost. Luckily, though, a bright young attorney (the young woman’s potential beau) offers him his legal assistance. Well-crafted with fine performances, Miracle on 34th Street entertains throughout, often proving quite delightful, as it gently chips away at our cynicism with its good natured fun.