Announcing "Oscar Takes A Holiday!"

If you pay any attention to popular culture, you’re probably aware that we’re in the middle of what’s known as “awards season,” which culminates on February 24 with the Academy Awards ceremony.

We have mixed feelings about the Oscars, since the academy sometimes gets it wrong.  For example, how is it that Cary Grant never won an Oscar (and only received two nominations)?  Yet we always end up watching the ceremony (or at least part of it) every year.

Lots of Academy Award winning actors, directors and writers have also worked on holiday movies, specials and episodes.  Some movies that take place at Christmas have even won Oscars. Perhaps the most obvious example is Edmund Gwenn’s performance as Santa Claus in Miracle On 34th Street, which earned Gwenn a Best Supporting Actor statuette.  

So all this month, leading up to the Oscars ceremony on February 24, we’ll be posting new reviews of holiday programming that features contributions from Oscar winning talents. Expect reviews of well-known films, episodes and specials and some things you never heard of.

Please check back this Monday, February 4 for the beginning of “Oscar Takes A Holiday!”

Miracle On 34th Street

Premiered June 4, 1947

As the date above indicates, Miracle On 34th Street was released 70 years ago today. That's right, one of the all time classic, most beloved Christmas films was released in June!  We suspect that most people reading this blog are familiar with the story, so rather than summarize it, we figured we'd discuss some interesting aspects and behind-the-scenes stories about the movie.

Why was it released out of season?  It seems Darryl F. Zanuck, head of 20th Century Fox Studios, believed more people went to the movies during summer months.  Miracle On 34th Street was promoted with no mention of its Yuletide-themed plot.  The original movie poster seen below emphasizes the romance between Doris (Maureen O'Hara) and Fred (John Payne).  Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwen) and Susan (Natalie Wood) are relegated to the background of the poster.

Miracle On 34th Street begins on Thanksgiving Day.  Kris takes on the role of Santa in the Macy's Parade when the man hired to play Mr. Claus (Percy Helton) is too drunk to go on. Viewers of the film today might be surprised to learn that Edmund Gwenn actually did play Santa in the 1946 edition of the Macy's Parade!  Here's a photo:

This is a rare case of a 1940s film being shot on location.  This means we get to see actual vintage footage of the 1946 Macy's Parade!

Character actress Thelma Ritter made her film debut in this movie.  She appears uncredited as a Macy's shopper.

While her role is brief, Ritter managed to make a nothing-role memorable and it lead to her being cast in more movies.  Ritter went on to a distinguished career, racking up six Oscar nominations, one Emmy nod and a win at the 1956 Tony Awards for New Girl In Town.

We love this film and watch it every holiday season, Edmund Gwenn is still the best movie Santa Claus seven decades after he won an Oscar for the role.

Needless to say, Miracle On 34th Street gets our highest rating.

RigbyMel and J.A. Morris' rating:

4 Candy Canes!

Classic Christmas movies on the big screen!

Miracle On 34th Street screens today at Richmond's Byrd Theatre!

This is the time of year when many of the classic Christmas films show up on tv.  It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol (various adaptations), A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and modern classics like Elf are all over the cable schedules and dvd/blu-ray release calendar.  Of course holiday fanatics like us can't get enough of these movies.

But as much as we enjoy watching at home, nothing compares to seeing these films in a theater with an adoring crowd.  Here in Richmond, we're lucky to have several opportunities this holiday season to do this.

Last year, the historic Byrd Theatre hosted a charity screening of White Christmas.  It was exciting and touching to hear the multi-generational crowd singing along with the film and clapping at the end.

Interior of the Byrd Theatre.  Richmond's movie palace opened on Christmas Eve, 1928.

Today, we're getting another classic Christmas movie at the Byrd!  Miracle On 34th Street will be shown at 1:30, proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, with Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara.

The Byrd will also continue its tradition of showing It's A Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

But these holiday movie events aren't just limited to our city.

On December 7, select theaters nationwide will be showing a Double Feature of Christmas In Connecticut and the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol.  Check here to see if this event will be showing in your area.

And a week later, White Christmas celebrates its 60th anniversary by returning to theaters!  It will be shown on December 14th and 15th, look for tickets here!

So if you've always wanted to see these classic movies in the theater, we recommend you take advantage of this opportunity.