Miracle On Christmas Film Analysis

The Evolution of a Christmas Classic

Miracle on 34th Street is a classic Christmas movie that has stood the test of time through eight decades, and was even made into a book by Valentine Davies. This classic Christmas movie has become an essential film for every American family during the holiday season. There are both many changes and continuities through the novella and the 1947, 1973, and 1994 versions of the movie.The novella Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies is similar to the 1947, 1973, and 1994 versions of the film in theme; however, the films differ in characters and setting due to social changes. The theme of Christmas spirit stays constant through the novella and the three versions of the movie. The purpose of this Christmas

The original movie was revolution well before its time in the way it depicted women. Ms. Walker was shown as an independent, self-sufficient workaholic in a time when this was almost a taboo. Women in the 40s rarely were responsible for the income of the house. In fact, very few women worked outside the house, and even fewer had leadership roles like Ms. Walker did. The films showed her as a more professional women to promote the idea that women can be leaders and are not restricted to simple jobs or being housewives. In the latest version of the film Dorey (also known as Karen or Doris), Susan, and Brian (also known as Fred) have a Thanksgiving dinner. Susan points out that “the vegetables are catered, so is dessert,” (Mayfield 1994) and this shows how Ms.Walker differed from the typical woman and mother figure during the 1900s because she did not cook. The 1994 movie differed from the earlier versions when Ms. Walker and Brian (also known as Fred) kissed because at the time “many no longer considered marriage a prerequisite for sex,”(Edelman 3). This shows how the kiss did not really mean anything, even though it was a sexual act between the two characters. Ms. Walker also supported this claim when she says, “What ever possessed you to make such a presumption?”(Mayfield 1994), saying that Brian (also known as Fred) misread the seriousness of their

When tracking the evolution of the plot through the book, written by Valentine Davies, and the 1947, ‘73, and ‘94 movies there are a few key continuities and changes. Chief among the constant elements of the plot are the Christmas theme, idea of imagination, and the importance of family. Christmas spirit and the belief in Santa Claus is the focal point in each version of the movie, just like the book. On the other hand, the roles of women, setting, and ethical guidelines changed throughout the movies. Women became increasingly more independent with time, the settings of the movies gradually changed, and as the ethical guidelines for the movie evolved with