In my opinion, this is the best holiday film of all-time. This is saying a lot, as other films such as A Christmas STORY and HOLIDAY AFFAIR are amazing films in their own right. I think the reason I feel this is the best of the lot is that it has a certain magical quality the others just can't reach. The story is tops--clever, cute and memorable. The acting is terrific--who could be better than Edmund Gwenn? Natalie Wood had perhaps one of the best performances by a child actor ever in this film--she is a child yet seemed so real. Maureen O'Hara, John Payne and the rest are simply terrific! Overall, a brilliant film. However, please don't assume that the sequels are worth seeing. Sebastian Cabot and Richard Attenborough are simply NOT Santa--and can't hold a candle to the original
Review of Miracle on 34th Street
