Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Edmund Gwenn: Kris Kringle

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Kris Kringle : You know what the imagination is?

  Susan Walker : Oh, sure. That's when you see things, but they're not really there.

  Kris Kringle : Well, that can be caused by other things, too.

• Fred Gailey : All my life I've wondered something, and now's my chance to find out. I'm going to find the answer to a question that's puzzled the world for centuries. Does Santa Claus sleep with his whiskers outside or in?

  Kris Kringle : Always sleep with them out. Cold air makes them grow.

• Kris Kringle : [to the little girl]  Well, young lady, what's your name?

  Dutch Girl's Adopted Mother : I'm sorry, she doesn't speak English, she's Dutch. She just came over. She's been living in an orphan's home in Rotterdam ever since... well... We've adopted her. I told her you wouldn't be able to speak to her, but when she saw you in the parade yesterday, she said you *were* Sinterklaas, as she calls you, and you *could* talk to her. Well, I didn't know what to do...

  Kris Kringle : [to the little girl]  Hallo! Ik ben blij dat je gekomen bent!

  [Hello! I'm glad you came by!] 

  Dutch Girl : [her face lights up]  O, U bent Sinterklaas!

  [Oh, you are Sinterklaas!] 

  Kris Kringle : Maar jazeker!

  [But of course!] 

  Dutch Girl : Ik wist 't wel. Ik wist dat U het zou begrijpen!

  [I knew it. I knew you would understand!] 

  Kris Kringle : Natuurlijk! Zeg maar wat je zou willen hebben van Sinterklaas.

  [Naturally! Tell me what you would like to have from Sinterklaas] 

  Dutch Girl : Niks! Ik heb van alles. Ik wil alléén maar bij deze lieve dame zijn.

  [Nothing! I have all kind of things. I want only to stay with this lovely lady] 

• Kris Kringle : Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it.

• Doris : Would you please tell her that you're not really Santa Claus, that actually is no such person?

  Kris Kringle : Well, I hate to disagree with you, but not only IS there such a person, but here I am to prove it.

• Kris Kringle : You see, Mrs. Walker, this is quite an opportunity for me. For the past 50 years or so I've been getting more and more worried about Christmas. Seems we're all so busy trying to beat the other fellow in making things go faster and look shinier and cost less that Christmas and I are sort of getting lost in the shuffle.

• Kris Kringle : No, but don't you see, dear? Some children wish for things they couldn't possibly use like real locomotives or B-29s.

• Kris Kringle : Now wait a minute, Susie. Just because every child can't get his wish that doesn't mean there isn't a Santa Claus.

• District Attorney : What is your name?

  Kris Kringle : Kris Kringle.

  District Attorney : Where do you live?

  Kris Kringle : That's what this hearing will decide.

  Judge Henry X. Harper : A very sound answer, Mister Kringle.

  District Attorney : Do you really believe that you're Santa Claus?

  Kris Kringle : Of course.

  District Attorney : [long pause]  The state rests, your honor.

• Kris Kringle : To market, to market, to buy a fat pig! Home again, home again, jiggety-jig. To market, to market, to buy a fat hog! Home again, home again, jiggety-...

• Kris Kringle : [smells other Santa's breath]  You've been drinking.

  Drunken Santa Claus : Well, it's cold outside. A man's gotta do something to keep warm.

• Kris Kringle : If that's normal, I don't want it!