A wholesome Christmas film: IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE (1947) !!! | first time watching

[@alwasser1650]

One of the biggest strengths of this movie is that it develops most of the characters into full, well-rounded people rather than just the usual stereotypes. Victor Moore as McKeever is just a delight.

[@melenatorr]

That's Alan Hale Jr., son of Alan Hale Sr. and a dead ringer for his dad. Jr became famous as the Skipper on "Gilligan's Island", and his father was a Warner Brothers regular, and I'm sure you've seen him in several of the movies you'll have watched.

[@charlieeckert4321]

Alan Hale, Sr., was Little John in The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn.

[@kw7378a1]

Grandfather clocks are often inherited. My family has 2 and we're not wealthy. On ours, everyday you pull 2 chains inside to pull up weights, as the mechanism is gravity powered. I will say that they are expensive to have fixed if they are broken. If you keep them ticking, they cost nothing. They just sit there happily ticking away. But you have to go to a specialist to have them fixed if they get broken.

[@RenfrewPrume]

Despite being a movie buff for more than 60 years, I had never heard of this outstanding movie until my brother brought to my attention a few years ago. Since then, it has become a Christmas standard on many cable channels. I’m planning on showing it to my daughter when she visits, this coming Friday. This movie feels and looks like a 1930s movie. It would have been perfect for Capra, who would have injected a snappier, more inventive directing style, I think. I wonder whether the script was actually written with Capra in mind. Charlie Ruggles (pronounced like “rug”) was a much-beloved comic actor on stage going back before WWI, in several notable movies in the 1930s, and on television in the 50s and 60s. I think this was his best role. Coincidentally, I just saw a young Ann Harding (Mrs. O’Connor) in “Condemned,” an excellent early talkie (1929) starring Ronald Colman and directed by Wesley Ruggles (Charlie’s younger brother).

[@dow311]

15:20 The actor who is the landlord was also in the movie It’s A Wonderful Life.

[@billolsen4360]

Mr Potter's rent collector! Played by Charles Lane, who was instrumental in forming the Screen Actors Guild when movie actors were worked until midnight and had to reappear at 7am the next day. He helped get the actors relieved of that sort of abuse.

[@mattk5873]

“He’s coming through the front door, next winter” this line never fails to make me cry, every time I watch it at Christmas each year, always tears. Such a wonderful film.

[@bigbow62]

Thank you for the classic films... Mia... you should check out.... The Man who Came to Dinner (1942) Monty Woolley* Bette Davis A comedy masterpiece from the start 😂😂😂 * Monty Woolley was so amazing playing this character on stage that they didn't want anyone else but him in the film !

[@billolsen4360]

That movie was a hoot!

[@brendaclark8344]

I do love this movie and another movie similar to this is "You Can't Take It With You" with Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore and Jean Arthur. It is crazy, weird and has so many thoughtful moments.

[@ajaxfernsby4078]

I’ll second that!

[@barbarastrayhorn4667]

One of my favorites.

[@lisahumphries3898]

I was just going to mention that movie! It’s also very funny!

[@billolsen4360]

Lionel Barrymore was an excellent actor and a great friend of James Stewart who gave him good advice on how to develop his career. Try to see Lionel in "Captains Courageous" and "Key Largo" which are both excellent gems of films with make-you-cry performances.

[@GoddessOfWhatnot]

I adore this movie. I feel like it’s deeply underrated. Thanks for your reaction 🥰

[@franciscogarza2304]

Hey Mia! If you want to see another movie starring James Stewart, Consider watching Frank Capra's 1938 Academy award winning romantic comedy "You Cant Take It With You" with Jean Arthur and Lionel Barrymore, Oh! Merry Late Christmas and a Happy New Year.🎄⭐

[@lemorab1]

I discovered "You Can't Take it With You" at the UCLA Pacific Film Archive in 1969. That is one of those wistful "If only life were really more like this" movies. I think Ann Miller was barely 15 years old in that.

[@okay5045]

That is one of my favorites. Lionel Barrymore was excellent as always.

[@richruksenas5992]

Yes, totally underrepresented movie in reaction circles.

[@dearally4787]

If you haven’t seen Christmas in Connecticut you should definitely check it out in the future

[@davids2096]

I usually don't leave a comment, but I was inspired to do so by the theme of this marvelous film! Just like that, this movie became my favorite Christmas movie pushing aside A Christmas Story and all the different versions of A Christmas Carol/Scrooge! The message this film delivers is beyond amazing, and should be adhered to by everyone! There are more valuable riches than material ones! Friendships and other types of relationships are infinitely more meaningful and valuable than anything material because they fill your heart and soul with joy and peace! When you have that, you can conquer and overcome anything! Happy Holidays and take care!

[@illbebad]

The Devil and Miss Jones, 1941 with Jean Arthur and Robert Cummings has a similar plot, in that a super rich man (Charles Coburn) goes undercover , not in a home, but in one of his department stores.

[@RenfrewPrume]

I love that movie and thought of it too, but couldn't remember the title.

[@msimpson4078]

I found out about this movie a few years ago, and I love it. I watch it every Christmas

[@dfstout7531]

Ah. You watched one of my favorites. I first saw this on TCM several years ago and have seen it several times at Christmas. I have it on a TCM Holiday collection DVD set.

[@ElliotNesterman]

A great, early Charlie Ruggles movie is the 1931 musical _Love Me Tonight._ Starring Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald, Charlie Ruggles, and Myrna Loy (before William Powell), and with songs by Rodgers and Hart, it is one of the finest pre-code musicals. Gale Storm starred in two successful 50s TV shows: _My Little Margie_ and _The Gale Storm Show,_ which co-starred Zasu Pitts.

[@billolsen4360]

Loved Zasu Pitts. Even that cameo she as the police department PBX operator in It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World, "You're through to Homicide."

[@RenfrewPrume]

I used to watch reruns of "The Gale Storm Show" as a kid in the early 60s.

[@illbebad]

Mrs O'Connor, is Ann Harding, who was quite a big name in films from her first film in 1929. Retired in 1937, but came back to films in 1942

[@auapplemac1976]

One of my favorites - a secret gem. Came across it several years ago on TCM. I have it recorded so I can watch it whenever I feel a bit down. BTW, it’s Charles Rug-els. Thanks for reviewing.

[@33Keith33]

Another classic starring Victor Moore is “Make Way For Tomorrow”(1937). It’s a wonderful film but it’s also a world class tearjerker. Orson Welles once said that it could make a stone cry.

[@coxmosia1]

I'm so glad you're doing this movie. I'm glad I and others suggested to you. Enjoy. I did cry a little at the end of this movie. It was so wholesome and made me wonder what happen to it, in today's world.

[@LeighMet]

Yes Mia lesser known but great christmas movie.

[@nicholaspapuzzo7778]

The Devil and Mrs. Jones, 5th ave girl

[@graemeturner2536]

This is one of my favourite films. I discovered it a few years ago and I watch it every year. It is so underrated and is every bit as good and as magical as It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle On 34th Street

[@malcolmmceasy2252]

If you want a feel good movie, consider "Pocketful of Miracles" (1961) If you're going classic films, make sure to add "42nd Street" (1933) to your list.

[@RenfrewPrume]

I recommend "Lady for a Day" (1933), Capra's better original version, instead if his remake, "Pocketful of Miracles." Capra's experience on the latter was so unpleasant due to Glenn Ford that he decided to retire from directing (per his autobiography).

[@malcolmmceasy2252]

It was a tossup. I went with Pocketful because it was in color, and had Peter Falk in it. But ya, that was also a fine film

[@sandracraft517]

This is my absolute favorite Xmas movie! It's a wonderful modern Scrooge story.

[@marlasotherchannel9847]

Charles Ruggles last name is pronounced "rug-els', like a rug on the floor.

[@pattyo4703]

I bet Gale Storm would sound better doing her own singing. It seems like the director just wanted to show he was in control.

[@bigbow62]

The big blonde guy is The Skipper ( Alan Halle Jr. ) from..... Gilligan's Island ✌️🙂

[@michaelceraso1977]

Finally this gem was reviewed and of course MIA has the smarts to react to it. I only saw it for the 1sttime 2 yrs ago and it has some laugh out loud scenes all through out . BTW you said at beginning ALan Hale Jr, who was the son of Alan Hale and his dad was in Adventures of Robin Hood wth Errol Flynn which I presume you saw , and the resemblance is almost a twin of his father! this has a great script and Charles Ruggles was a fine actor too

[@billolsen4360]

Check out a similar plot in "The Devil And Miss Jones" with Jean Arthur and Charles Coburn.

[@washo2222]

Thank you, Mia, for discovering this unknown gem of Christmas movies. When McKeever says "our paths may never cross again," I make sure every year for the last 12 years I watch this movie along with my large collection of Christmas movies that I watch from the day before Thanksgiving to January 2nd. Charles Ruggles ( Rug - gulls) started in movies in 1914 and continued in movies and TV for 50 years right up to his death in 1970. He most always played in comedic roles whether large or small. The other actor that some or maybe most should remember is Alan Hale Jr. His father, Alan Hale, was a contract actor for Warner Bros. Alan Hale Jr. is best remembered as the skipper of a tour boat stranded on an uncharted island with his passengers and shipmate named Gilligan on "Gilligan's Island."

[@BigGator5]

"And I would like to feel that you're all my friends. For to be without friends is a serious form of poverty." Merry Christmas! ✝️ 🙏 🎄 🎁 Fun Fact: Theatrical movie debut of Cathy Carter. Historical Fact: At the beginning of 1947, minimum wage was $0.40 per hour, and in the summer of 1947 it increased to $0.65 hourly. So the wages mentioned in the script were reasonable for the times. Trouble Pre-Production Fact: The story was originally optioned by Frank Capra's Liberty Films in 1945 and announced as the company's first production. Later that year, producer-director Roy Del Ruth acquired the story. It turned out to be the first production of Allied Artists Pictures, the "A" picture division of Monogram Pictures. The film went 30 percent over budget.

[@chadbennett7873]

The quote is very "Capraesque" and a variation of Clarence's inscription in the Tom Sawyer book he left for George.

[@thomastimlin1724]

If I were Gale Storm, I would have "stormed" off the set and let the chips fall where they may. The director was an idiotic bastard.

[@lemorab1]

Mia, thank you for introducing me to this gem. I am looking forward to your take on "The Bishop's Wife." It's one I watch every Christmas and have since the 1980's, when I saw it on the big screen at a revival house (you're too young to remember those.) Cary Grant displays maximum Cary Grantness. Do you know about "Come to the Stable?" Loretta Young, Celeste Holm, Elsa Lanchester and other great character actors (1949.) It's another classic Christmas heart tugger.

[@netescape7771]

In 1929, Roy Del Ruth directed "The Desert Song," the first film ever released by Warner Bros. Pictures to include footage in color. It was photographed partly in two-color Technicolor. He also directed the original version of "The Maltese Falcon" (aka "Dangerous Female" and pre-code) two years later in 1931. In 2019, Del Ruth's 1933 pre-code film "Employees' Entrance" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

[@lmboh8585]

I do so love this movie! I originally discovered it on TCM several years ago and thought it was about retail sales ala' Miracle on 34th Street, but was so happy to learn it was not and it was its own lovely ensemble film.

[@joannaclark1432]

OMG, they have “The Bishops Wife” on BBC iPlayer at the moment! 😊

[@marilynnixon1283]

I wanted to recommend another Ann Harding movie for you to watch, but there are just too many good ones. She was always beautiful and usually sweet and long suffering. Another good Victor Moore movie is We're Not Married. An anthology type with lots of great stars. Thank you for the quality of the movies you watch and your right on reactions.

[@brightfaith8403]

I love this movie🎄

[@ElliotNesterman]

The mean landlord, who doesn't allow dogs, was played by Charles Lane, who had a film career that spanned seven decades. His first film role was in 1930 and his last, as narrator of the poem "The Night Before Christmas," re recorded in 2006. Born Charles Levison, in his early films he was billed under that name. One of his more significant early roles was as Max Jacobs in the John Barrymore/Carole Lombard screwball comedy _Twentieth Century_ (1934), which you happen to have a copy of.

[@nickh.1314]

I first saw hime in The Ghost and Mr Chicken as a mean lawyer! He lived to be over 100! :)

[@billolsen4360]

Liked the guy playing Mr. O'Connor as the grandfather in The Parent Trap made in 1961, starring Maureen O'Hara❤

[@GMAMEC]

What a delightful movie! Thank you for sharing!

[@ednafenton7558]

I discovered this movie on TCM. TCM shows a lot of the great older Christmas movies. TKS for watching this one. I love it. On to the next great classic movie!

[@jengoodwyn2715]

I love your background! You are such a sweet soul. I love watching your reaction videos.

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you so much ☺️ and thank you for watching!

[@bigbow62]

The Devil and Miss Jones. (1941) The owner plays a sales clerk to find a ring of troublemakers 😮 ( in his eyes) Lots of laughs as this millionaire turned shoe clerk gets himself and new housemates in and out of trouble all film long..... a must-see for any clasic movie fan ❤ Charles Colburn Jean Arthur Edmund Gwen Robert Cummings

[@waldorfstatler3129]

I love these late 1930s 1940s feel-good movies. You must see Sullivan's Travels and You can't Take It With You which were contemporaneous with this movie.

[@Jay26501]

I adore this film and I'm so glad it's still known, but something occurred to me while watching the diacussion of it. When they go to meet Mr. O'Connor in his office, doesn't that mean that the owner of the mansion is not in Virginia, but is in fact back in NYC?

[@melenatorr]

Multiply the wrong that the director did by not letting Gale Storm sing her own songs. Here's what she really sounds like, and it would have worked so nicely for the tone of the movie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnrGoXmOoL2KkMU

[@maggieg.recommendsandrants3081]

I always suspected that McKeever knew Mike was really Michael J. O'Connor, and was enjoying order him about.

[@BackyardFlorida]

I really like your reaction to this!

[@MoviesWithMia]

Thank you 😊

[@Marybaklava]

Yay! Hugs. ❤

[@susansouthern6704]

I'm an old gL but have never heard of this movie..what a sweet movie ❤

[@wwilcili]

Just saw this on TCM! Loved it!!!

[@garrygivens1680]

That actor that you seen before is the Skipper from 60's TV show Gilligan's Island.

[@sgabig]

For next year - some more relatively wholesome Christmas 🎄 films with more or less happy endings 1939 "Streets of New York" 1961 "Pocketful of Miracles" starring Bette Davis 1967 "Fitzwilly" starring Dick van Dyke

[@beatmet2355]

The mother reminds me of Laura Dern from Jurassic Park. Her eyes are what I noticed the most.

[@josny1]

Love this movie

[@creative2716]

50/50. 🤗👏👏👏👏

[@marinamoscow3375]

Will you watch James bond movies?

[@kanders7391]

Try the Gary Cooper movie, Along came jones. 1945.

[@Abbriscoe]

Undercover Boss

[@Marybaklava]

Oh, Undercover Boss by the way

[@Wrong_gear-3411]

Old guy really enjoying your viewing and very insightful reviews 👍

[@user-pw6kb3vz8i]

you should watch another James dean film!!!

[@muhannadalnabulsi4266]

You are talking like singing I enjoy Hearing You?

[@genesmiley9866]

I don't get the appeal of Victor Moore - a good guy by all accounts but I find him painful to watch. I think he belongs to that era.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Alan Hale Jr...later became the Skipper on the TV show Gilligan's Island 1964-67 and endless reruns....his father Alan Hale Sr was a successful character actor who worked with everyone in Hollywood and was well known and liked in Holloywood....as was Jr. worked with Frank Sinatra in Young at Heart and many other movies and TV shows before doing Gilligan's Island. the landlord curmudgeon is character actor Charles Lane, he always had work in movies and TV...lived to be about 102!!! one of those guys if you watch enough old movies and TV, you'll start saying "There's that guy again!!" You get to know him and realize he was putting you on with that old grouchy man routine and was probably funny as hell off screen. The violinist in the restaurant is character Russian/American actor Leon Belasco, who was REALLY a fine musician. I've seen him in movies where he can be extremely funny. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Belasco