Miracle on 34th Street | Hollywood Yesterday

Publicity Stills from Miracle on 34th Street (One of the Best Movies Ever Made)

December 12, 2022 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood

Ironically, two of the films that made me fall so deeply in love with old movies are both Christmas movies (Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life). Ironically, three of the stars involved – Maureen O’Hara, James Stewart, and Lionel Barrymore – are three of my top 10 favorite stars of all time. It’s as though they befriended me as a child and have been with me all these… let’s not count how many!… years.

Both movies are as magical and beautiful to me now as they were then.

My only regret is that, somehow, Miracle on 34th Street doesn’t get the same attention It’s a Wonderful Life does and, frankly, I have no idea why. It’s every bit as wonderful – in every possible way.

If you’ve never seen this beautiful “feel GREAT” movie, I hope you’ll find it this Christmas season and lose yourself in the magic. If you have seen it… well, who couldn’t just a little more Christmas magic??

I watch it every year and have since I was a little girl. In fact, I believe I’ll pour a big mug of hot chocolate and go watch it now!

You can find the iconic 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on dvd on Amazon or watch the iconic movie on Prime Video.

It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street Coffee Mugs (Plus a Bonus One that Sums it ALL UP!)

December 10, 2022 By Joi

As quite possibly the world’s biggest It’s a Wonderful Life fan, I have zero idea how I don’t already have this gorgeous It’s a Wonderful Life Coffee Mug (Amazon link) in my coffee mug collection.

What a travesty of justice and sensibility!

I am, however, on the cusp of righting this wrong even as we speak.

Right after I saw the great It’s a Wonderful Life mug, I spied another one that makes me feel so very, very, VERY seen. The I Just Want to Drink Coffee and Watch Christmas Movies mug (Amazon link) pictured below.

I mean, does this one sum it all up or what?!

But, wait… I’m not through (neither is my Amazon shopping cart, unfortunately), when you click through and visit the It’s a Wonderful Life mug’s page (link above), you’ll also find they have another CLASSIC and ICONIC Christmas movie (and another of my personal favorites), Miracle on 34th Street. I don’t have a picture to share with you, but it features the movie poster pictured below. It’s gorgeous and I have every intention of drinking from it and the It’s a Wonderful Life mugs all year long for years to come!

Miracle on 34th Street Movie Poster

Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne in the Wonderful Miracle on 34th Street

December 16, 2021 By Joi

Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne

There are presents to wrap, presents to buy, candy to make, and candy to eat… so I am literally sharing today’s picture of the day and running back to the kitchen! This is a wonderful publicity photo for one of the best movies ever made, Miracle on 34th Street. Directed to perfection by George Seaton, this is one of my favorite viewings of the Christmas season.

I hope you’re enjoying every last drop of the holiday season this year and (even when busy) smiling and maybe even humming a Christmas carol or two!

You can find the iconic 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on Amazon… and you really, really should!

John Payne and Maureen O’Hara – Miracle on 34th Street

December 13, 2021 By Joi

John Payne and Maureen O’Hara

As I said yesterday, one of the films that launched me into a lifetime of being obsessed with classic movies was It’s a Wonderful Life. Another film and another star that participated in this launch was Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and Maureen O’Hara. I’ve loved the film AND the actress for what seems like my entire life.

George Seaton directed the wonderful Christmas classic and was given a first rate cast to work with: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn, William Frawley, and Gene Lockhart.

I love Maureen’s sweet, natural chemistry with John Payne in this film and the magic between Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn is palpable. It’s just a beautiful, beautiful story very beautifully told.

John Payne and Maureen O’Hara

You can find the wonderful 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on Amazon.

Adorable Natalie Wood Pictures, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

November 23, 2021 By Joi

Natalie Wood and John Payne, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

These behind the scenes pictures of one of my absolute favorite movies (Miracle on 34th Street) kind of take my breath away. The adorable Natalie Wood and the wonderful John Payne (entertaining her!) give me so much happiness.

The photo below is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen!

Natalie Wood, Behind the Scenes of Miracle on 34th Street

You can find the wonderful 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) on Amazon.

Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood in the Wonderful Classic, Miracle on 34th Street

November 3, 2020 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street

Halloween has come and gone, so my heart and eyes are fully on Thanksgiving and Christmas! Actually, I’ll let you in on a little secret… my eyes and heart are on them year-round. I experiment with recipes I’ll use at Thanksgiving and Christmas throughout the year and buy gifts and decorations 12 months a year and keep them safely hidden in totes until it’s time to wrap them.

When you have a large family, it might just be the only way from having a mental breakdown when December 1st rolls around!

Since I can finally own up to my all-consuming love of Christmas now, without looking like a complete fruitcake, I decided to go with a scene from one of my absolute favorite movies ever – Miracle on 34th Street. I’ll soon be in my den… visiting Susan, Fred, Doris, and of course Kris Kringle for the first time in 2020.

For as long as I can remember, I kick off the “official” Christmas season with this film, followed by It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I’m so anal about it all that I also “end” the official season with the same three.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do know that I’m as mad as a hatter… but I see no reason to change at this stage of the game!

You can find the wonderful, black and white 1947 Miracle on 34th Street (link to the dvd on Amazon) on Amazon for less than $10. Much easier than waiting for it to show up on television.

Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood Miracle on 34th Street

December 25, 2019 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood, Miracle on 34th Street

One of my greatest obsessions in this world is Christmas – so, naturally I love Christmas movies as much as one can possibly love anything! Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link to the Black and White version… the best version in my opinion), It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas in Connecticut, and all classic animated Christmas films make the season EVEN sweeter. As a Christian, I certainty realize that there is only One who is worth celebrating (it’s His birthday we’re remembering after all!), but all of these films are very dear to my heart.

I want to wish you and your loved ones a beautiful, happy, peaceful, and joy-filled Christmas. Thank you for visiting Hollywood Yesterday – you absolutely honor me with your presence. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Miracle on 34th Street: Fun Lobby Cards (Love These!)

December 10, 2019 By Joi

Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne

Maureen O’Hara is one of my VERY favorite actresses, so you can bet I’ve seen Miracle on 34th Street more times than the average movie fan. Honestly… I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times, because I watch it multiple times each year.

John Payne and Maureen O’Hara

Heck, I’ve been known to watch in in the middle of July!

Each time I watch it, I love it even more. The cast was simply perfect – from Maureen, Natalie Wood, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn to William Frawley, Porter Hall, Jerome Cowan, and Gene Lockhart. Each was spectacular and (obviously) knew they were part of something extra EXTRA special.

Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne

A few things in particular strike me with each viewing:

Natalie Wood was a very, very special actress – whether she was a child, teen, or adult… she was spectacular and obviously born to do what she did so beautifully.
Maureen O’Hara was as talented as she was stunningly beautiful – and that’s saying something!
John Payne and Edmund Gwenn were exceptional actors and should be household names! How more front and center roles in popular movies eluded them is beyond me – but I’m forever thankful that they’re in this personal favorite film.
Finally, this is a perfect movie – perfect in every way!

Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara, and John Payne

Find Miracle on 34th Street (1947) on Amazon.

Christmas Picture of the Day: Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn (Miracle on 34th Street)

December 3, 2019 By Joi

Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn, Miracle on 34th Street

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love Miracle on 34th Street (1947). Well, I could, but we’d be here all day and well into the night. I’d be obsessed with it even if it didn’t star my beloved Maureen O’Hara – it’s just a beautiful, perfect, wonderful film.

In the days leading up to Christmas, I have no doubt that Miracle on 34th Street (Amazon link) will be featured in a lot of Pictures of the Day.

In fact, you can count on it!

Miracle on 34th Street: Memorable Scenes from One of the Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time

December 22, 2018 By Joi

Lobby Card for Miracle on 34th Street

In a funny little twist of irony, some of my absolute favorite stars have starred in the absolute best Christmas movies:

Jimmy Stewart: It’s a Wonderful Life
Maureen O’Hara: Miracle on 34th Street
Barbara Stanwyck: Christmas in Connecticut
Bing Crosby: White Christmas

I’m not sure why, but Miracle on 34th Street (1947) doesn’t seem to get the attention some of the other Christmas movies do. Yes, the others are outstanding… but so is Miracle on 34th Street.

This has been one of my favorite movies since I was around the age of Natalie Wood’s adorable character Susan. The movie is filled with love, laughter, emotion, and hope – who can ask for more than that from a Christmas movie?

The fact that you often hear people talk about Die Hard as a Christmas movie more than this one is enough to make you as nutty as the cookies you leave out for Santa.

Okay, ranting over. Let’s just celebrate this wonderful, beautiful movie.

Did You Know?

According to a Natalie Wood biography, young Natalie believed that Edmund Gwenn was actually Santa Claus! In fact, it wasn’t until she saw him out of costume at the wrap party that she realized he wasn’t Santa.
Natalie Wood was eight years old when filming Miracle on 34th Street.
Maureen O’Hara had this to say about Edmund Gwenn, “By the time we were halfway through the shoot, we all believed Edmund really was Santa Claus. I’ve never seen an actor more naturally suited for a role.”
The department stores (Macy’s and Gimbel’s) depicted in the movie had to grant permission in order for the producers to use their names. Both stores wanted to see the finished film first before they gave this approval. Fortunately (and for obvious reasons), both stores loved the film and gave their permission!
From Maureen O’Hara’s autobiography: “Everyone felt the magic on the set and we all knew we were creating something special. I am very proud to have been part of a film that has been continually shown and loved all over the world for nearly sixty years. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) has endured all this time because of the special relationship of the cast and crew, the uplifting story and its message of hope and love, which steals hearts all over the world every year. I don’t think I will ever tire of children asking me, ‘Are you the lady who knows Santa Claus?’ I always answer, ‘Yes, I am. What would you like me to tell him?'”

Below are just a few special scenes from this extra special movie.

Santa Won’t Lie to Susan: