Maureen O’Hara, John Payne and Edmund Gwenn in the George Seaton movie ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

In the mood for a bit of comedy mixed with drama and romance? Looking forward to questions about the identity of Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas or Kris Kringle? George Seaton wrote the screenplay and directed the movie Miracle on 34th Street (1947), which initially was released with the title The Big Heart in the United Kingdom.

(From left, Natalie Wood as Susan Walker and Maureen O’Hara as Doris Walker in the George Seaton movie Miracle on 34th Street).

The movie itself begins with the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City, New York as sponsored by the Macy’s department store chain. We see the character Kris Kringle, as portrayed by Edmund Gwenn, addressing the man do play Santa Claus in the parade being noticeably inebriated. With evidence of the inebriation readily apparent and presented to the parade manager, Doris Walker as portrayed by Maureen O’Hara, Kringle steps in for the fired Santa Claus in the parade. Kringle would be hired by the Macy‘s store along the parade route to portray Santa Claus in the department store through the Christmas season.

(From left, John Payne as Fred Gailey and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle in the George Seaton movie Miracle on 34th Street).

Doris’ daughter, Susan Walker as portrayed by Natalie Wood, has been watching the parade from the family’s Manhattan apartment. Among many things, we learn that Susan is much like her divorced mother, with doubts about the value or legitimacy of Santa Claus. We learn that the girl, approximately nine years of age, is quite serious about the world and sees things in a logical fashion like her mother. We further learn that Susan has taken a liking to Fred Gailey, an attorney portrayed by John Payne who has taken a liking to Susan and Doris. The possibility of a budding romance begins simultaneously to the matter of one Kris Kringle.

(From left, Herbert Heyes as Mr. Gimbel, Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle and Harry Antrim as R. H. Macy in the George Seaton movie Miracle on 34th Street).

The matter of Kris Kringle begins with clear evidence of an eccentricity and good nature that strikes some in the wrong way. Kringle drew attention to himself in a pair of ways, one being a kerfuffle among department stores including Gimbels, Macy‘s and some others by sending families to other stores for toys. This drew Kringle‘s attention to Doris Walker and other, which only became worse when Kringle defied Doris’ wishes in aiming to convince Susan Walker that Santa Claus was legitimate, benevolent and worthy of belief. That Susan witnessed Kris speaking Dutch to a girl as Santa Claus didn’t help Doris’ case. A psychological interaction with Granville Sawyer, as portrayed by Porter Hall, follows that leads to a further kerfuffle about whether to terminate Kringle.

(From left, Porter Hall as Granville Sawyer and Gene Lockhart as Judge Henry X. Harper in the George Seaton movie Miracle on 34th Street).

Kringle later becomes aware that Sawyer had been overstepping his professional boundaries with a young Macy‘s employee named Alfred, as portrayed by Alvin Greenman, and confronts Sawyer about this. A hearing follows to adjudicate whether Kringle should be committed to a psychiatric institution. Judge Henry X. Harper, as portrayed by Gene Lockhart, oversees the hearing, with District Attorney Thomas Mara petitioning for Kringle’s commitment. Jerome Cowan portrayed Mara as Robert Hyatt portrayed Thomas Mara Jr., the attorney’s son, on behalf of Kringle. Fred Gailey, the gentleman petitioner for the hearts of Doris Walker and her daughter Susan, defends Kris Kringle.

(From left, Jerome Cowan as District Attorney Thomas Mara and Robert Hyatt as Thomas Mara Jr. in the George Seaton movie Miracle on 34th Street).

There are many storylines within the positive feelings explored by Miracle on 34th Street that can qualify as “the miracle” of the movie. It serves as a fruitful exploration to decide what the front and central miracle among miracles turns out to be, for there is a decisive center to the action in guiding the viewer in making the decision. The movie did not try to be too much in presenting a wholesome, family friendly message in support of belief in the spirit of myth and the joyous spirit of the holidays. It is with these successes, and the enduring quality of still holding up as an entertaining movie that I give Miracle on 34th Street as directed by George Seaton 4.5-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson in the John Pasquin movie ‘The Santa Clause’

The interesting and gentle play of language introduces itself with today’s look into another movie for the Christmas season. The jolly and benevolent secular belief in good cheer and companionship in the United States, offers the image of Santa Claus. In offering a unique means to explore the patron of Christmas sometimes called Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Père Noël and others, The Santa Clause (1994) introduces a clever contractual twist for a divorced father again believing in the spirit of Christmas by becoming Santa Claus.

(From left, Eric Lloyd as Charlie Calvin and Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

John Pasquin directed The Santa Clause, which stars Tim Allen as divorced father and businessman Scott Calvin. We meet Calvin as having led a toy company in what presumably had been another successful year, yet trouble is afoot in his relationship with his son, Charlie Calvin, and Charlie’s other parents. Eric Lloyd portrayed Charlie Calvin. Wendy Crewson portrayed Laura Miller, Charlie’s biological mother. Laura is married to Dr. Neal Miller, portrayed by Judge Reinhold.

(From left, Judge Reinhold as Dr. Neal Miller and Wendy Crewson as Laura Miller in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

A large degree of cuteness ensues from these fundamental relationships, including an accident that has provides the path that introduces the Santa clause. As this wrinkle is not enough, the clause coincides with Charlie’s enhanced belief in the spirit of Christmas as well as the magnanimous nature of his father, Scott Calvin. The belief in the spirit of the holiday, as well as each other, asks many questions geared at affirming beliefs in the people and other aspects of healthy belief.

(From left, David Krumholtz as Bernard the Head Elf and Paige Tamada as Judy the Elf in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

The sense of adventure through The Santa Clause strikes a pleasant feeling of cuteness. The path to believing in the notion of Scott Calvin having been and continuing to be Santa Claus is supported by Bernard the Head Elf, Judy the Elf and Comet the reindeer. David Krumholtz and Paige Tamada portrayed Bernard the Head Elf and Judy the Elf, respectively. Frank Welker and Kerrigan Mahan voiced the reindeer.

(From left, Peter Boyle as Mr. Whittle and Larry Brandenburg as Detective Nunzio in the John Pasquin movie The Santa Clause).

The storyline includes several redeeming messages intermingled among challenges. The Santa Clause feels family friendly and cute, in addition to including an original premise that sustains the storyline cutely. I grant The Santa Clause as directed by John Pasquin 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, December 18, 2021

Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari and Eddie Deezen in the Robert Zemeckis movie ‘The Polar Express’

The season of holidays that mark the end of fall and the beginning of winter have begun for those of us living north of the equator. The adventure and comedy movie that marks a notion of Christmas in an endearing and animated sense is our focus in bringing you this touchpoint for the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express (2004).

(From left, Hero Boy as portrayed by Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara, Hero Girl as portrayed by Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Meagan Moore and Tinashe, and Billy the Lonely Boy as portrayed by Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett and Matt Hall in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The adventure of The Polar Express centers around the experience of finding joy in the notion of Christmas, as told primarily from the perspective of children, with three children earning the primary focus. The role of Hero Boy is filled primarily by Tom Hanks, with Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara also supporting voicing and animation efforts. Hero Boy becomes a close friend with Hero Girl, portrayed by Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Meagan Moore and Tinashe. Hero Boy and Hero Girl take special care of Billy the Lonely Boy throughout the movie, as portrayed by Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett and Matt Hall.

(Know-It-All as portrayed by Eddie Deezen and Jimmy ‘Jax’ Pinchak in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

Know-It-All offers a belief in the notion of Santa Claus and Christmas through the film, yet offers a delightfully ornery take on friendship and knowledge sharing that offers a comic relief through the film. Eddie Deezen and Jimmy ‘Jax’ Pinchak portrayed Know-It-All throughout The Polar Express. The adults offering the message of belief throughout, with this character present to foil the mood, was a welcome touch.

(Conductor was one of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The character Conductor keeps much of the larger experience of The Polar Express together. He pulls in with the train bearing the name of the movie to the towns in Michigan, headed to the North Pole for a visit to see Santa Claus. The introduction of Hero Boy and Billy the Lonely Boy offer a charm that begins much of the enchantment that is to come.

(Hobo was another of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The festive set of refreshments, ticket taking and admonitions to safety, wonder and enjoying the journey to the Santa Claus, Hobo presents himself to Hero Boy during his moments of doubt throughout the movie’s metaphorical belief journey. In declaring himself king of the North Pole, Hobo offers the Hero Boy and Hero Girl get a chance to drive the train. We meet Steamer and his assistant Smokey, to the delight and worry of all passengers of the train. Michael Jeter and André Sogliuzzo combined to portray Steamer and Smokey.

(Santa Claus was another of six characters portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

Passing into the arctic circle was a significant event for the journey to see Santa Claus, which was accompanied by further storytelling in the North Pole. Hero Boy, Hero Girl and Billy the Lonely Boy take a journey separate from many of the other travelers aboard the Polar Express. The coveted seeing of Santa, and the opportunity to open the first present of Christmas, are promised to our four main kids. How would this be earned? Would Santa Claus be seen by all the kids? Will the kids believe? All questions of redemption the spirit of staying connected to the innocence just a little bit longer. These questions are answered, and more, come Christmas morning where Hero Boy and we reconnect with Sister Sarah and Hero Boy’s parents. Leslie Zemeckis portrayed Sister Sarah with Isabella Peregrina and Ashly Holloway.

(From left, Sister Sarah as portrayed by Leslie Zemeckis, Isabella Peregrina and Ashly Holloway and Hero Boy as portrayed by Tom Hanks, Josh Hutcherson and Daryl Sabara in the Robert Zemeckis movie The Polar Express).

The charming interplay between character, place, and the corresponding questions of artistic vision made the computer-based animation underlying this film a respectable choice. Maintaining the artistic qualities from the 1985 Chris Van Allsburg book titled The Polar Express, and doing a computer animated approach, is a choice that I personally support. I grant The Polar Express as directed by Robert Zemeckis 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, November 27, 2021

Harry Connick Jr. and the album ‘When My Heart Finds Christmas’

The year 1993 holds a nostalgic set of feelings for me. I graduated high school with a certain degree of pride and wonder. I saw Nolan Ryan pitch his last game in my home town, as a member of the Texas Rangers.  I started my college career, which would see me change the focus of my education twice before graduating graduating five years after I finished my high school career. Also, the album When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick Jr.  of New Orleans, Louisiana made its debut.

(Album cover for When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick Jr.).

The album’s first song of Christmas music starts with Sleigh Ride, an orchestral standard composed by Leroy Anderson in 1948. The song, while making no explicit reference to Santa Claus or the holiday of Christmas, appears on many a Christmas album, including this one.

When My Heart Finds Christmas, the second song of the album and first written by Harry Connick Jr. to appear on the album of the same name, offers an allusion to love, affirmation and the good cheer of family, innocence and the effort to share the joy that such feeling engenders. The instrumentation, chorus, and uplifting spirit of this song are really magical.

(Vocalist and piano player Harry Connick Jr., left, with bassist Ben Wolfe in 1989).

With (It Must’ve Been Ol’) Santa Claus, the original song penned by Harry Connick Jr. offers an upbeat timing and playful look into the heart of a young boy on the precipice of thinking Mom and Dad might be standing in for the jolly man himself. With the happy belief in Santa Claus preserved, coupled with a joyful “happy ho ho ho to you,” the experience is pure gold.

The fourth song from When My Heart Finds Christmas is The Blessed Dawn Of Christmas Day, penned along with a number of other songs on the album. The slower, more orchestral song bends more towards the spiritual aspects of considering the birth of Jesus Christ a blessing.

(From Left, alto saxophonist Brad Leali, alto saxophonist Will Campbell and baritone saxophonist Dave Schumacher. Each played on the album When My Heart Finds Christmas).

In moving to holiday standard Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, listeners get a jazzy impression which rejoices in a surprise impression in the first 20-seconds that sits well with me to this day. The original lyrics and arrangement date back to a song written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945. In the southern hemisphere, where this song gets played in the summer months of the northern hemisphere, the song is less associated with the holidays.

The Little Drummer Boy arrives next with the distinctive sound of marching drums with orchestral backing. The song tells the sweet revelry of both a poor boy and Jesus Christ at his birth of offering the gift of music, which is the one true talent and happiness he has to bring as an expression of love and reverence. The wind instruments in support of this song are remarkable and appreciated.

(Guitarist Russell Malone played on the album When My Heart Finds Christmas).

Showing off a traditional piano arrangement beginning with Ave Maria, a song my father’s mother loved even before her passing and this song’s release, the additional production adds nuance and subtlety. Originally offered by Franz Schubert and Sir Walter Scott, the song with Latin lyrics for the prayer Hail Mary bring a prayerful feeling.

Parade of the Wooden Soldiers returns a more playful mood brought to us from German operetta and light classical composer Leon Jessel, dating back to 1897. The whimsical, playful quality reminisces back to an early childhood of fantasy and happiness that brings a smile to my face.

What Child Is This? offers a traditional holiday hymn originally written by William Chatterton Dix, with lyrics taken from a poem written by the same man. A classic orchestral take strong with strings and singing, of course, by Harry Connick Jr. render a sweet extolling of the new birth of the baby Jesus.

Christmas Dreaming builds with Connick Jr. and chorus singing based on the song brought to us through composers Irving Gordon and Lester Lee. The tempo increases following What Child Is This?, and previews a more spiritually contemplative new track written by the namesake of the album When My Heart Finds Christmas. which raises the feeling with something that uplifts the feelings in the listener.

I Pray On Christmas offers a soulful, stronger gospel sound in introducing a brand new carol offered by Harry Connick Jr.. The song has appeared at least a half dozen times on albums by other performers since. This song is perhaps the last traditionally spiritual song on the album, though those moved by O Holy Night, which takes note of a moment without necessarily invoking a traditionally religious feeling, may have a different take.

(Tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon, left, and tenor saxophonist Ned Goold played on the album When My Heart Finds Christmas).

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer clearly gets into a more upbeat feeling, invoking the Johnny Marks song that was first a hit for Gene Autry. The song includes singing with children and Connick Jr., in addition to trumpet and other horns in accompaniment.

O Holy Night was first composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 with an assist from the French poem Midnight, Christians written by poet Placide Cappeau. The lyrics reflect the notion that the birth of Jesus is a means for the spiritual redemption of humanity. Harry Connick Jr.‘s composition offers a reverential feeling for the song with a feeling that feels like an attempt to imbue fervor into the offering. The attempt aims high.

The song What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? offers a tribute to 1947, the year of the first rendering of the song as well as the year of my mother’s birth. Frank Henry Loesser wrote the song for independent release rather than for a particular musical. The drum and saxophone play in Connick‘s offering, along with the strings, render a subdued, sleepy feeling to complete a warm blanket of peace to the jazzy feeling of the song.

The full experience of the album offers spiritual, secular, and holiday feeling. There is something for many in this album, and the offering lands somewhere distinctly more musical and more deeply whole than what I often hear through the distribution methods available today. Indeed, this is one holiday is one that I recommend you consider adding to your playlist this season.

Matt – Monday, December 9, 2019