Miracle on 34th Street (1947) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!

[@KayQue-s3r]

If you knew the discussion Santa and the little Dutch girl had, your tears would have been a gusher! Many European children were orphaned by WWII. Many were adopted by US families including Dutch children. It was represented here and basically, the little girl told Santa all she wanted for Christmas was this sweet lady to be her new mother.

[@RMBittner]

Even though the little “Dutch” girl’s accent was questionable, that scene never fails to make me tear up.

[@johnnehrich9601]

Few people in an American audience probably understood Dutch but they all would have understood from what the mother said, that this girl had also likely experienced the horrors of war first-hand.

[@enochmamon]

Now that you've seen Maureen O'Hara in this, you need to see her in her best film: The Quiet Man w/ John Wayne. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

[@bonitaburroughs8673]

She is also wonderful in the original Parent Trap with Brian Keith

[@CopyKatnj]

Or as Esmeralda in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"

[@diogosabino2545]

All the films she did with the director John Ford are worth watching. One of the best filmakers of all time.

[@diogosabino2545]

YES!!!! This one is so good! Absolute classic! Love Maureen O'Hara and young Natalie Wood in this and the actor for Santa was perfection!!! Up there with It's a Wonderful Life as a Christmas classic and a masterpiece...

[@MichaelJohnson-vi6eh]

I believe that Maureen O'Hara was Irish and spoke with a pretty thick accent, so her "transatlantic" American accent was something she faked very well. I loved Natalie Wood. She was so good in her role w/o being too cutesy.

[@williambrownlee9978]

Just another mention of Natalie Wood as the little girl

[@dianedavid3052]

This is the version I watched as a child 🥰. Funnily enough I had actually seen West Side Story before I saw this and it blew my mind that Susan was Maria 😳🤣

[@diogosabino2545]

@@dianedavid3052 I had seen The Searchers and Love with the Proper Strange before I watched this film for the first time and it also blew my mind, had no idea Natalie started as a child actress

[@deeanna8448]

I watched a creator from The Netherlamds react to this movie. She said the little girl who spoke Dutch to Santa said that she didnt need anything for Christmas because she was just happy to have a home. There were a lot of Dutch children orphaned by WWII

[@susanliltz3875]

Thank you for doing the original and of course the black and white version!!! Perfect!!!

[@susanliltz3875]

The little Dutch Girl turned out she just came over to America after the War and this woman she was with is adopting her because her parents were killed in the War … She said all she wanted for Christmas was to stay with this nice lady.

[@johnfraley8544]

The real R.H. Macy, who founded the store, lived from 1822 to 1877. The company was owned by others, including the Strausses who died on the Titanic. Depicted as the older couple lying in bed during the sinking in the 1997 movie. They revived "Mr. Macy" for this film.

[@TheMtVernonKid]

Also, to add to your comments are as a new yorker.Myself, the original store is still on thirty fourth street and harold square

[@johnchrysostomon6284]

The guy in the mail room who thought up the idea of getting rid of the mail played Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka

[@Big_Bag_of_Pus]

And, more famously, "the Man" in the popular sitcom _Chico and the Man_ .

[@RMBittner]

He also starred in the popular 70s TV sitcom “Chico and the Man,” with Freddie Prinze.

[@RenfrewPrume]

Excellent reaction! I was delighted to see you laugh so much for this great classic. You are the only reactors I’ve seen who note that there is no overt magic, which makes the film more powerful because of its focus on the message of faith. BTW, the woman with the son who wanted a fire truck was Thelma Ritter, in her first (uncredited) movie role. She so impressed the producers that this launched her career as a character actress. She was nominated a record six times for a best supporting actress Oscar. She was particularly memorable for her performances in “All About Eve,” “Rear Window,” “The Misfits,” and “The Incident.”

[@Keffinated]

There is no overt magic because Kris Kringle was a lovable but eccentric old man. The movie's message of faith is that Santa Claus is an idea not a person. Faith is placed in people not in magic.

[@athos1974]

In my grandparents day, the department store was the top tier of retail. Long, long before the internet, the department store was the place to go at the holidays, because they had just about everything you could buy. Every parent wanted to take their kid to see "Santa" at the store. It really was a much more innocent time for kids and a huge event for the department store. When I see this movie, I think of my grandmother and grandfather.

[@johnmoreland6089]

What I love most is that it can be read that Kris truly was a deluded old man who lived at the home for the aged but helped people rediscover hope. Everything he got can be explained: the X-ray machine bought by Mr. Macy & Mr. Gimbel and the house could simply be the same one from the sales brochure. Or... do you believe he really was Santa? Great screenplay. And can we talk about how great little Natalie Wood was? A terrific performance. Thanks for a sweet reaction to this classic.

[@FilmBuff54]

Yes, it is a wonderful screenplay because it leaves the question of who Kris Kringle is open to interpretation.

[@susanliltz3875]

“Santa” won an Oscar for this one!!🎅🏻👍

[@capstan50g]

I think the power of this movie is that it provides a metaphor for faith as well as a nice explanation of how Providence might work behind the scenes to shape the world. Great reaction, guys. Happy Holidays!

[@tlpsen306]

Interesting to note that the actor who played the Post Office letter sorter was Jack Albertson who later played Charlie's Grandpa Joe in Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and was the co-star in the 1970's situation comedy. Chico and the Man, with Freddie Prinze.

[@ktotheramer]

The remake was decent, but I preferred the original ending! Good luck on the eyes wide shut edit!🤣

[@Pengi_SMILES]

I love this film (this version specifically), and along with It's A Wonderful Life and Muppets Christmas Carol really gets me in the Christmas mood. Maureen O Hara is also beautiful.

[@stsolomon618]

Merry Christmas, Samantha and Daniel. Natalie Wood was the child actress who played Maria in the 60s West side story.

[@Jordashian93]

This was a great film from beginning to end. Love the scene where they deliver the letters to the courthouse, and the judge decides that the country declares him Santa Claus. Leading to him winning the court case, was such a great scene. Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

[@JohnH.Sturgis]

I'm wondering, do children still write to Santa Claus? When I grew up in the '60s, that was still very much a thing.

[@lexiburrows8127]

@@JohnH.Sturgis You must be around my age then. Back when I wrote my letters, we did not post them though. My Grandfather chose the direct route. We used Air Mail paper because it was light and Granddad used to take it to the fire where the up-draught would take it up the chimney.

[@VOTOG-ic6hm]

Eyes Wide Shut a Christmas movie? Boy are you in for a surprise!! 😂

[@procopiusaugustus6231]

I’m glad you called out Its a Wonderful Life. We usually watch Miracle on 34th Street on Thanksgiving and it’s a wonderful life on Christmas.

[@ennesshay5040]

7:47 - that's Thelma Ritter, Stella, the nurse in Rear Window.

[@erikbyrge2024]

Merry Christmas!!

[@peridot1706]

Most department stores names were that of the company's founder, (Rowland) Macy, (Adam) Gimbel. Up until the 1980s stores usually had incredible Christmas displays. I grew up in NY in the 1970s. Each year my mom took me to another dept store, Gertz (it was closest to us). It had an enchanted forest with animatronic fairy tale characters. (My favorite was Hansel & Gretel with the witch at her gingerbread house.) There was a footbridge winding through the woods and only kids were allowed to walk it, your parents waited for you at the exit, after you passed by Alice and the Queen of Hearts. After that you & your parents headed for the North Pole where there was the glittery icy blue castle facade that you entered and inside Santa was sitting on his throne waiting to take a picture with you! 🥰

[@long-timesci-fienthusiast9626]

Long before the internet & even prior to TV adverts, Department Store window displays & the chance to visit Santa`s Grotto were the main enticements for Christmas sales. In the early `60`s, our local Dept. Store had a railway track around the Toy Dept., that delivered you to Santa`s Grotto.

[@kurtl8425]

Gotta love that even as far back as 1947 the corporate Human Resource department were the villains.

[@williamphelps3915]

Getting Mr. Macey & Mr. Gimbel to shake hands & smile on camera was the real miracle on 34th street.

[@willlockler9433]

Lots of real magic here; all the good and kind people in this story, and you two.

[@duckydewer]

Maureen O'Hara died in Boise, Idaho. Great actress. Beautiful Woman. She was 95 years old. She was a treasure to this City during her time here.

[@chadwickvon8019]

Merry Christmas y'all

[@MyraJean1951]

Thanks!

[@jimtatro6550]

Merry Christmas to you two and your beautiful baby. Keep the excellent content coming ❤️👍🙏

[@dlrhas21]

The strings on Uncle Billy's fingers were there to remind him of things.

[@Stogie2112]

Uncle Billy is in this film, too? 😉

[@Billinois78]

2:20 "You're on the pilgrim float" "He needs directions for that? He's dressed like a pilgrim" 🤣🤣🤣

[@alicestevens8291]

This one and The Bells of St. Mary's are my mother's favorite holiday movies. Both underrated stories imo.

[@susanliltz3875]

Love the matching pajamas!!!

[@fuelman1391]

Fantastic!! This is one that we watched in our family every year. My mom always considered The afternoon of Thanskgiving Day, to be the start of Christmas. So, this was always the first Christmas movie we would watch, every year. She passed on last year, but I've continued the tradition with my own kids. I'm so glad that you two have seen it now!

[@Billinois78]

The scene with Santa communicating with the Dutch girl is a happy tearjerker. In the 1994 version, the girl has another situation that Santa works through which I found even more touching. I didn't realize until I rewatched the 94 version that Santa was played by Richard Attenborough, aka the guy from Jurassic Park. I know he did 60 years worth of work, but we all know Jurassic Park and it came out around the same time.

[@JDIW]

Merry Christmas!

[@FilmBuff54]

Next year, add “Christmas in Connecticut” with Barbara Stanwyck to your Christmas list. It’s great fun.

[@JoseDiaz-f7o]

These are some excellent Christmas movies: 1. The Ref 2. While You Were Sleeping.

[@abramsullivan7764]

Merry Christmas, and Happy holidays Daniel, and Samantha.

[@longago-igo]

Merry Christmas to my favorite movie reacting couple! Keep up the good work in the New Year!

[@jcarterla]

One of my favorites is Christmas In Connecticut starring Barbara Stanwyck.

[@jamesleonard9703]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TBR and SAM. I grew up watching this movie. I've seen the remakes, but to me, this one is the BEST.

[@randogirl-3]

My favorite Christmas movie is We’re No Angels with Humphrey Bogart. It’s clever, funny and edgy. What about Krampus? The one with Toni Colette and Adam Scott. That’s one of my Christmas movies.

[@johnnehrich9601]

What most people today miss about the title is that at the time of this movie, the two biggest department chains in the US were Macy's and Gimbles. Both had their flagship store and headquarters in New York City, both on 34th St., about a block away from each other. And also back then, their rivalry was legendary, like the deadly feud between the families in Romeo & Juliet, or the 1800's hillbilly feud between the Hatfield and the McCoys. A popular phrase c. '47 that summed all such unresolvable rivalry was "Would Macy's tell Gimbels?" So the miracle implied by the title was the scene where Kris got the two CEO's together, to shake hands, and agree on a way to help get the X-ray machine. The problem for the remake was that Gimbels had gone out of business by then and Macy's refused to let them use their name. By the way, for years of watching this movie, I always assumed that R.H. Macy in the film was playing himself, as he seemed sort of stilted. But the real Macy lived c. 1850's, and in the 20th century, Macy's passed out of the family's hands. ____ The movie purposely did NOT include any magical supernatural stuff, because that sort of defeats the whole purpose. Image instead Mr. Gaily losing the case, and as a couple of attendants from Bellevue are taking Kris away, they are surrounded by 40 elves, who manage to get Kris to an elevator to the roof, where his sleigh and reindeer await to fly him away. But then why have the trial - the elves and reindeer could be used to prove the case even before it starts. But even then, why wait that long? Santa and his sled could have flown over the Macy's parade, and all would believe without any fuss. (And with Santa delivering the toys made in his workshop, no parent would need to shop in a department store. And the AF of L and CIO, and the toy makers, etc., . . . would all go out of business.)

[@Stogie2112]

Maureen O'Hara is at her best in "The Quiet Man" (1952) with John Wayne (who I think is also at his best). A Great romantic-comedy set in 1920's Ireland. Highest recommendation!

[@hairltabbjr94]

Merry Christmas Dan and Sam 🎄❄️🎁⛄😊😊

[@floridaboimichael7492]

Merry Christmas you guys

[@wordygirlandco]

❤Merry Christmas 🎅One of my favorites. Some of these actors are in another classic His Girl Friday....comedy classic that should be on your list.....fast funny dialog and fantastic performances.

[@MikeBrown7799B]

Hello Daniel & Samantha!😊 Great job reacting to this timeless Christmas classic, Guys!!!🎬👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@sueshoemaker2924]

Thanks for the gift of my favorite Christmas movie today. Merry Christmas to you all.

[@ML_1012]

Finally, someone reacts to this movie. Thanks so much! I hope you enjoyed it. It always makes me feel like a "believing" child again, if only for a little while.

[@thomasbaker2067]

I`ve only seen this movie version of Miracle on 34th Street and I gotta say it was awesome and also Merry Christmas.

[@FilmBuff54]

Little Natalie Wood was so good that they called her “One take Natalie,” which is a great compliment for a child actor.

[@yooochoooob]

Great reaction and Great analysis as well. Very merry Christmas and a happy & prosperous New Year to you both 😊

[@MrGpschmidt]

Indeed a Christmas classic and very magical in its own rights (and a lot of heavy issues for its time - single parenting, 'lying to children', the mental health of someone thinking they're Santa, etc.) Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar (rightfully so; he's the best cinematic Santa IMO) with solid support including the lovely yet fierce Maureen O"Hara (I suggest THE QUIET MAN w/her & John Wayne for St. Patrick's Day :D ) and a very young Natalie Wood. Yes the Dutch girl always gets me too -how can you not be moved (and even more so in the remake w/a deaf girl). Glad you both enjoyed it (again how can you not) and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year :D

[@lexlewis550]

Merry Christmas beautiful people 🥹❤️

[@vincentsaia6545]

Edmond Gwen won the Oscar for this movie. When he won he said, "Now I know there's a Santa Claus."

[@johnpittsii7524]

Merry Christmas to you two 🎅

[@doctor_del]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@susanliltz3875]

Oh good you got it past KZbin and their blocks!! Merry Christmas!!!

[@GiratinasRisingRenegades]

Ah, nice one. Saw this version of the movie too. Quite beautiful and majestic this film was.

[@waterbeauty85]

The movie works because it deliberately leaves some ambiguity over whether Edmund Gwenn is really Santa Claus or not by giving "realistic" explanation for the all seemingly miraculous things that that happen yet still leave room to believe that he's really Santa. Straight up undeniable acts of magic that go against any semblance of reality would be too much for many people's willing suspension of disbelief to accept.

[@The_Dudester]

2:47 "Put a jacket on!!" Ever worn a Santa suit? They are quite warm and in my case I started overheating and had to dress down. 7:47 Nancy Walker was all over 1960's and 70's TV as a grandmother or parent to a young adult. 10:22 This scene always gets me in the feels. The Dutch and others were brutally executed for helping downed air crews.

[@ericwalker8636]

Not to be rude, but that actress was Thelma Ritter, not Nancy Walker.

[@paulamoya7956]

In a time when Kids weren’t spoon fed perfection. My most favorite Xmas film all time growing up . I was born in 68.. I am now 56 there was a time when all we had was this and Rudolph the red nose reindeer type films at Xmas . This movie was our magic to me . His cane at the house at the end is proof he was behind the magic and was able to orchestrate Xmas miracles and dreams . He Was Santa ! 🎄✨💫✨🎄

[@michaelblaine6494]

Merry Christmas guys🎅

[@cliffchristie5865]

Having only seen the remake, you wouldn't have seen the Post Office gimmick coming, as they did not use that in the later version. ( I like this one better).

[@sherigrow6480]

Another old Christmas movie classic is It Happened on Fifth Avenue.

[@alexhidalgo7110]

Merry Christmas you wonderful couple

[@laraq07]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

[@8967Logan]

One of my favorite Christmas movie scenes, the little Dutch girl singing with Santa. I did find out from another reactor last year from Belgium that it is a real song (she was singing along). The little girl is played by Natalie Wood I believe (interesting story there if you care to look her up). I almost forgot, you need Christmas movies, here are a couple you probably haven't seen, "The Bishop's Wife" (Christmas time movie with the Christmas feeling) and "Meet John Doe" (another Christmas time movie with a Christmas and populist feel). Both good movies black and white.

[@susanliltz3875]

Such a great movie!!! I don’t even know how many times I’ve seen it and I still love it!!!

[@Bekka_Noyb]

One of my fave xmas films! ♥

[@vincentsaia6545]

This is my all-time favorite movie. There have been several remakes but this is the only version that leaves it entirely up to the viewer as to whether or not Kris really is Santa Claus

[@perrymalcolm3802]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 😊to you both n ur baby!

[@h.u.n.k493]

Since you did an Eddie Murphy movie with 48 Hours recently, it'd be cool to see you finish the last two Beverly Hills Cop movies.

[@TheMtVernonKid]

In the remake, which came on ninety four, chris kringle, was played by Richard Attenborough same actor who played john hammon in jurassic park. One scene that is different, then the original is instead of him talking to a dutch girl, the girl was deaf, so he used sign language to talk to her

[@hakeemfullerton8645]

Daniel D. Tompkins was actually Vice President for James Monroe while John C. Calhoun was the Vice President to John Quincy Adams

[@cflournoy1529]

The Shop Around The Corner and Holiday Affair are two more Christmas classics you guys would enjoy❤

[@MyraJean1951]

So glad you watched my favorite version of this story!

[@bigbark4627]

Merry Christmas to U & family 🎄 Thank U for the vids, it's like meeting friends each week 🤩

[@kermitlacock5930]

I've always enjoyed this movie and not just because I was a mailman for 28 years.

[@thomasgriffiths6758]

The advisor to the judge was played by actor William Frawley who was the neighbor Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy.

[@vincentsaia6545]

Maureen O'Hara almost didn't make this movie. As an Irish national she was unable to leave the US for three years during WW II because Irish nationals were helping the Germans because the Germans were anti-British. When the war ended she immediately went back to Ireland to see her family but her boss Darryl Zanuck called her back to Hollywood to do the movie whereupon she blew her top and was going to tell Zanuck that she was going to quit. She was then intercepted by her agent who asked her to read the script as a personal favor. She read the script, fell in love with it, and you know the rest!

[@samgamgee42]

Yes, there was an actual Mr Macy..... all the Dept Stores at that time were named after their founders. Really enjoyed your reaction

[@edgarsandoval6990]

But what a coincidence, I just saw it for the first time today.

[@aleatharhea]

"Strip this man." OMG belly laugh. I'm still laughing about that.

[@JohnH.Sturgis]

You guys are the best! Great reaction... Merry Christmas! (The red Christmas flannel threw me at first but I got over it... lol!)

[@Daniel-yy5tx]

I am a certified grinch, I don't particularly like or celebrate Christmas, and I'm a little bit happier when it's over, though I try not stomp on anybody else's Christmas spirit. That being said, I always tear up when Santa Claus speaks Dutch to the little girl; such a wonderful and sweet scene! If you guys watch the remake, I think you'll find their version is equally as touching.

[@TheMtVernonKid]

One of my favorite hoilday movies of all time Natalie Wood (Susan) had a great career as a child and an adult. However, its sad that she passed at the age of 43.

[@CathleenMJennings80]

Natalie Wood was a rarity - she went from successful child star to successful teen star to successful adult actress. Sadly, she died in a tragic and mysterious way, that no one still knows exactly what happened. She was on her and Robert Wagner, her husband's, yacht (along with Christopher Walken)... there was a lot of fighting between them all through the evening - and early the next morning, her body was found in the ocean. Eerily, it was predicted by a gypsy (when her mom was pregnant with her) that Natalie would drown in "dark waters" - which is exactly what happened. (fyi Robert Wagner was in the Austin Powers trilogy as Dr. Evil's #2)

[@bmw128racer]

Merry Christmas, guys! 🎄 This movie is a classic and the absolute best version. It's a must watch every year. All the other versions pale in comparison. Another classic is "A Christmas Carol" (1951) with Alastair Sim. It's considered by many to be the definitive version. 👍

[@chefskiss6179]

0:47 "I feel there's not very many Christmas movies that we can think of that we haven't seen... so we're venturing out... Eyes Wide Shut..." Lol, after waiting for so long for it to be 'gotten' around to, are you saying it's come to this(?), that 1951's A Christmas Carol is no longer considered in the running anymore? 😂

[@jamespfp]

6:00 -- RE: John Payne; The actor portraying the father in this film is well worth a deeper dive to check out his filmography. This is possibly his most famous film role but he proved capable in a variety of film and TV genres, including musicals and film noir.

[@catherineholden6388]

Christmas in Connecticuit, We're No Angels are a couple of other older films that are delightful.

[@robertjewell9727]

You haven't seen REMEMBER THE NIGHT (1940). a tremendous Xmas movie.

[@sharkdentures3247]

This is my 2ND favorite Christmas movie (right behind It's a Wonderful Life)! Sure, these are probably so because I saw them EVERY year on TV growing up! (there were others too, but these two were SPECIAL to me) Both can regularly bring me to tears of joy. Also, you guys are right. In THIS Christmas movie, the "magic" wasn't anything SUPERNATURAL. The "magic" was simply the "Spirit" of Christmas! (IF there was anything that MIGHT have been "supernatural", it was done off-stage or "implied". Instead of presented as "fact"!) So, the audience is free to "believe" in the MAGIC or "not" as they choose. (Just like in the court case.)

[@jjkcharlie]

My grandma used to make us watch this and the Jimmy Stewart movie.

[@seanleon2766]

I love this film and watched it this morning. 😊

[@CollideFan1]

One of my favorite older movies, my favorite Christmas movie. Maureen is great in this like anything else she stared in and young Natalie Wood was such a sweetheart. And you watched the black and white version and not the blasphemy colorized version. Major plus.