26 ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ Christmas Movie Facts
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1
The co-stars were super tight.
In her autobiography, Maureen O’Hara (Doris) revealed that even after the long days of filming, she and Edmund Gwenn (Santa) and John Payne (Fred) would hang out together on their nights off, strolling 5th Avenue.
2
Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood had an extra special bond.
The actress recalled feeling a motherly love for 8-year-old Natalie, once sharing, “I have been the mother to almost 40 children in movies, but I have always had a special place in my heart for little Natalie. She always called me Mamma Maureen, and I called her Natasha, the name her parents had given her.”
3
The Thanksgiving Day Parade scene was completely real.
It’s true — Edmund Gwenn made thousands of people happy when he appeared as Santa in the real 1946 Macy’s parade. Cameras were set up along the route to film the entire thing.
4
The studio behind the film hid that it was a Christmas movie.
Studio head Darryl F. Zanuck insisted Miracle on 34th Street make its debut in the spring, because more people went to the movies in the warm weather. Leading up to its May 2, 1947 release, promotions kept the Christmas aspect of the film a secret. They went as far as to erase the word “Christmas” from the original title of the movie: Christmas Miracle on 34th Street. Other original titles in the mix for the film were The Big Heart, My Heart Tells Me and It’s Only Human.
5
Santa’s employment card reveals a Christmas secret.
Look closely and you’ll see that Kris Kringle’s next of kin are his beloved reindeer. Look even closer, and you’ll see the reindeer we’ve been calling “Donner” all this time is actually spelled like “Donder.” A handwritten manuscript by Clement Moore confirms the surprising revelation.
6
Edmund Gwenn’s cousin almost played the role of Kris Kringle instead.
7
The film’s writer dreamed up the idea for the movie while waiting in line at a department store.
8
John Payne really wanted to do a sequel.
Another revelation from Maureen O’Hara’s autobiography: John believed in the film so much that he wrote a sequel for it. “He was going to send it to me, but tragically died before he could get around to it,” Maureen wrote. “I never saw it and have often wondered what happened to it.”
9
They almost couldn’t film the final shot.
10
But an unexpected hero saved the day.
A kind woman named Vaughn Mele, who lived across the street, invited the cast and crew into her home to warm up between takes. As a thank you, Maureen O’Hara invited Vaughn and her husband out to dinner at the famous restaurant, 21, where Vaughn was so excited she could only stomach a glass of milk.
11
Macy’s and Gimbels didn’t consent to having their names in the movie until filming was completed.
Studio executives knew they would need permission from the stores to use their names, but didn’t want either store to see or comment on the movie until it was completed. It was a big risk, but luckily, everything worked out in the end.
12
The intense rivalry between Macy’s and Gimbels really did exist.
In real life, things were just as competitive between the brands that stood just blocks away from each other in New York City. In fact, the rhetorical phrase, “Does Macy’s tell Gimbels?” was often used in business in the ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s to mean trade secrets shouldn’t be shared.
13
The Dutch girl’s conversation with Kris Kringle was incredibly sweet.
For those not fluent in Dutch, it might be difficult to understand what the little girl says. When asked what she’d like for Christmas, she admits she doesn’t want anything, because she received her one true wish of being adopted by her new mother. Then, they sing a silly holiday jingle together, in which one translation goes, “Saint Nicolas Little Rascal/Put something in my little shoe/Put something in my little boot/Thank you little Saint Nicolas!”
14
There was almost a remake starring Natalie Wood’s daughter.
In the ’70s, Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner were asked if they’d be interested in having their daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, star in a TV remake of Miracle on 34th Street. She would have played the same role her mother did all those years ago. Natalie, who experienced the hardships of being a child star, declined the offer, because she didn’t want her own kids to start acting at such a young age.
15
Natalie Wood thought Edmund Gwenn really was Santa Claus.
16
Maureen O’Hara originally didn’t want to do the film.
The actress nearly rejected the role of Doris Walker, because she had just touched down in Ireland and would have had to return to America to begin shooting — something she wasn’t thrilled about. After reading the script, however, her entire view of the movie changed. “I don’t think I will ever tire of children asking me, ‘Are you the lady who knows Santa Claus?'” Maureen revealed in her autobiography. “I always answer, ‘Yes, I am. What would you like me to tell him?'”
17
Maureen O’Hara never wanted the film to be colorized.
In 1985, Miracle on 34th Street was one of the first films to be colorized, resulting in some controversy from film purists who believed it should have remained black and white — Maureen included.
18
Edmund Gwenn’s transformation into Santa Claus wasn’t easy.
The actor had to gain 30 pounds and add five inches to his waistline, which was a lot for the 5’5″ actor. After filming wrapped, he found it difficult to lose the weight. “I’ve been stocky all my adult life,” he joked at the time, “but now I must accept the fact that I’m fat.” His long, gray beard was also reportedly real.
19
Edmund Gwenn won his only Oscar for the role.
And how deserving he was! He accepted the award for Best Supporting Actor and gave one of the sweetest, most memorable acceptance speeches in Oscar history, saying, “Now I know there’s a Santa Claus!’ He remains the only actor to ever win the prestigious honor for playing Kris Kringle.
20
Susan’s dream house is real.
If you ever hoped to see it in person, you can. Producers decided not to use a set or assemble an exterior for the movie, instead using a home in Port Washington, New York. Not only is it still standing today, but it looks mostly the same.
21
Mrs. Shellhammer was more drunk than you probably realize.
Everyone remembers that bathtub scene (it’s okay if you still answer the phone with Mrs. Shellhammer’s “Helllloooo?”), but what you might not know is how many drinks she had. Judging by the toothpicks on the table, she downed nine “triple strength” martinis…so does that make it really 27? Try not to feel hungover just thinking about it.
22
Macy’s closed early so the employees could see the film.
12,000 workers got a half day to go see it.
23
Kris Kringle’s suit doesn’t appear to be new.
The wardrobe department seemingly found an existing Santa suit for Edmund Gwenn to wear, as many viewers have pointed out over the years. Though it doesn’t take away from Edmund’s performance, the area right under his belt shows some obvious signs of wear and tear.
24
Macy’s closed out the millennium with a special tribute to the film.
In 1999, the iconic department store based its annual flagship Herald Square window display on the movie. It used mechanical-style props from the ’60s to create a vintage, authentic feel. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be kind of cool to say goodbye to this century the way they said goodbye to the last century?” explained Macy’s creative design executive Sam Joseph. “What better vehicle to use than Miracle on 34th Street?” Maureen O’Hara even attended the display unveiling and signed autographs. “I know John Payne, Natalie Wood and Kris Kringle are up in heaven looking down on us and smiling,” she said at the time.
25
You can still check out the original Macy’s window displays.
The window designs shown in the movie were custom-made for the screen. Once filming wrapped, they were sold to FAO Schwarz, who left them on display for years at the 5th Avenue flagship location. Eventually, the toy company sold the displays to Marshall & Ilsley Bank of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they’re presented every December in the bank’s lobby on North Water Street.
26
New York was new to the studio.
While today it’s common to see the Big Apple as a backdrop in movies, it was pretty rare for the ’40s. It was only the second movie in 20th Century Fox’s history to be shot on location in New York City — the first was 1945’s The House on 92nd Street.
Editorial Assistant
Taylor is a crafter-in-training, coffee advocate and sappy romance novel-reader.
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