Miracle On 34th Street: Movie Analysis

In this paper, I’m going to analysis the acting, directing, lighting, sound, scenic, and costumes of the film Miracle on 34th Street. In addition talk about what I liked about the film, and what I didn’t like about the film. Giving you examples from the film to help you understand what I’m talking about. Overall before I go into detail about the film I really did enjoy it, and thought it was made very well in all areas.
In the film Miracle on 34th Street I thought the acting in the film was very good. The actor that plays Kris Kringle did a wonderful job. His acting to me helped carry the film into a good flow. His dialogue was always good when talking to other actors in this film. Epically when he’s talking to the little girl named Susan Walker. When she’s talking about Santa, and how she doesn’t believe in him. The actor who plays Kris Kringle made that scene seem very real to me; using the right words, and facial expressions. Furthermore, his acting made the

scene stronger and overall the movie better. One thing that surprised me was the acting skills of the actor who plays Susan walker. In her opening scene with the next-door neighbor both of their dialogue was done very well, and they worked really well together. Susan Walker was also impressive to me with how clear she is in her lines. She talked very well for a child actress in a movie at that time her performance was really good to me. Others that did well in acting was the actor who played the next-door neighbor Fred Gailey. A scene that I thought he did well was when he’s with Susan walker and they work together to get him a date with her mother. In addition his performance in the court when he’s representing Kris Kingle is very impressive too. I felt that the actress who plays Doris Walker acted well in the film to. When her and Fred Gailey were talking their dialogue seemed very real, and they seemed to have good chemistry on the screen together thru out the film.
The director George Seaton did a good job to me on having multiple genres in this film like Comedy, Drama, Family, and Fantasy.

It brought a good balance to film, and made not too broad. The Director also did a good job on the having a good theme; the theme of faith, and Christmas spirit. Sometimes people need to have faith in something bigger, and need to just believe for once. Overall the message to me was that it’s good to have faith, and that’s all you really need. Now on to the Christmas theme, like how the director uses this theme to explain it’s all about Christmas spirit. Seeing the children look at Santa, and having their faces light up with happiness. Not about money, and companies trying to sell Christmas like Macy’s was trying to do. The director George Seaton also does a good job with getting the best performances out of his actors and actresses. If you don’t get that then the film might not be as good, and up to its potential. I thought the acting in this film was very well

performed.
The scenic in this film helped it out a lot. Making the scenes in the film seem very real, and not fake. For example the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in the beginning of the film made it legit. Again helped it make it seem real, and connecting the audience to something we all know, and have seen. Overall they did a really good job using real places, and not set; sets would have made it look like a cheap movie. The Costumes in this film match up very well with the characters. For example Kris Kringle outfits, and style match Santa so perfectly, with his bread, and etc.
The lighting in this film was a lighter light, and got lighter in happier moments. “Miracle on 34th Street uses high-key lighting throughout the movie to help show an overall happy tone in the film “(Miracle On 34th Street – Lighting)”. Which I agree throughout the film it did in happier scenes like the ending. When Susan Walker gets the present that she wanted to prove that Kris was really Santa to her. Also the lighting helped light up scenes that might be darker and harder to see. Another example is when Susan is watching the parade the lighting helps it look like bright winter days. “The high-key lighting brightens what could be a low lit room and gives the feel of a bright winters day (“Miracle On 34th Street – Lighting”). The sound in this film did a good job matching up with the tone of the scenes. For example at the end of the movie when Susan sees the house and she screams the music is a perfect fit. As I said in the acting the dialogue was key in the acting, and as well the sound. The sound of the dialogue helped to make the scenes, and for people to understand what’s going on.
Overall I liked a lot of things in the film Miracle on 34th Street. One thing that I liked was the scene between Kris and the drunk Santa. Thought it was a funny scene and it was cool to add humor to this film. It was funny how the drunk Santa responded to Kris by saying “A man’s go to do something to keep warm”. Also liked the scene between Kris and the younger Janitor in the Macy’s store; when they are talking about why the janitor likes being Santa during Christmas. How Santa gives the spirit of Christmas to kids and seeing their face light up is great to see. Also like the whole story with Kris, and people thinking he’s crazy for thinking he’s Santa Clause. They think he’s mental ill and has to go to court to prove he’s not. Therefore, Fred Gaily helps him beat the cast, and Kris having faith In Fred again showing that theme of faith. The only thing that I really didn’t like was I really didn’t get a confirmation if Kris Kringle was really Santa or not. I know it’s probably just a your opinion, but I would of liked to know for sure if he was.
Overall Miracle on 34th Street was very well done film, and George Seaton the director did a great job. Setting up a very good storyline, and having strong actors, and actresses. The film had great themes of faith, and Christmas in it. I really did enjoy Miracle on 34th Street, and would recommend to others to watch over this holiday season. A very good 1940’s film really didn’t think it would be good, but know it’s a classic Christmas movie to me. I will probably watch with my Family during the Holiday season.