This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

the audience applauded

That was an excellent one.

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

I had seen the original 1947 Oscar winning Edmund Gwenn version, and the more recognised 1994 Lord Sir Richard Attenborough version, but I had no idea there was another one, until I saw it broadcast, so I watched to see what I'd think. Basically the actor playing Santa Claus for Macy's Department Store Thanksgiving Day parade is found drunk, so parade director Karen Walker (Jane Alexander) persuades the bearded man who found him, Kris Kringle (The Jungle Book's Sebastian Cabot) to take his place. Kris proves to be a sensation with the public, and is quickly recruited to work in the Macy's store store on 34th Street to play Santa for the holiday period. What gives the store really good business is that they market the fact that Kris is telling customers where to find toys, including at better prices, and he is really enlightening everyone's spirits, including Karen's own daughter Susan (Suzanne Davidson), who is intelligent but cynical to beliefs and fantasy. The store's incompetent psychiatrist Dr. Sawyer (Roddy McDowall), is hired take Kris on a case study, but they only become enemies in the process, he eventually provokes Kris and causes him to react in the a way that will cause him to taken to Bellevue for tests, and he awaits a trial to prove his sanity. Karen's friend and neighbour Bill Schafner (David Hartman), agrees to help Kris, not just to defend him for his freedom and sanity, but unbelievably by proving he is the real, and the one and only Santa Claus! It is going to take a miracle for Kris to win, but thankfully they find something that clearly proves his identity, hundreds of letters addressed to "Santa Claus", all given to Kris at Christmas, they win the case, and in the end, Susan gets the present she always wanted for Christmas, a new house. Also starring Jim Backus as Shellhammer, David Doyle as R.H. Macy, Tom Bosley as Judge Harper and Roland Winters as Mr. Gimbel. Cabot is likable as the man who may in fact be the real Santa, although I was distracted closing my eyes and imagining his voice with Bagheera the panther or the Narrator in Winnie the Pooh, the rest of the cast, apart from perhaps McDowall, aren't really worth mentioning, the story is pretty much the same as the original film, but you can tell it is made for TV, it has a predictable script, and it doesn't have any charm or pizazz, stick with the 1947 and 1994 versions, it is a fairly terrible remake seasonal family film. Adequate!

When it first aired, it instantly captivated me. Sebastian Cabot made it magical. The cast was wonderfully chosen. I consider it a classic and something for the whole family to enjoy. I've been disappointed with TV and Cable channels for not airing it. And not to be in DVD or VHS is has been disheartening. I love the original version, but the 1994 version I can't bear to watch. It's horrible.I want to be able to sit and watch it with my grandchildren. Please help bring it out on DVD. Or at least put it on Netflix or Hulu.

I had the opportunity to watch this version on You tube The only thing I can say about the movie that is good is that it is closer to the original than the Richard Attenborough one It was very bland No emotions No suspense No drama Even the court case was dead No public While it has its merits I still prefer the original It might have been made in black and white but the best sumation of the 1947 version is the comments made at the end of that movie with the director talking to some of the actors to get a review about the movie That movie had it all Romance Love Tenderness Drama Suspense This version AND the Attenborough version don't come a patch up to the original In fact I would even downgrade my rating of this movie from a 4 to a 2 The Attenborough one to a 1

. . . This version of Miracle on 34th Street would be available on VHS and DVD.This is definitely my most favorite version of the classic tale, and I preferred it even over the classic '47 version with Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood. Being a baby boomer, there's just something right in the world about seeing Mr. French (Sabastian Cabot) as Santa and all the classic 70's actors doing their very best to waylay him in his holiday duties. To top it off, the three other leads, David Hartman especially, brought a special life and energy to the movie that I found lacking in even the original.If and when the makers ever release this on tape or DVD, I'll be one of the first in line for a copy!