The Story Archive

Miracle on 34th Street

George Seaton · 1947 CE · Film · Modern / American · Contemporary

A white-bearded old man is hired to replace a drunk Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, gives his name as Kris Kringle, and starts sending shoppers to Gimbels when Macy's has not got what they want. A store psychologist has him committed, and a young lawyer takes the competency hearing on the argument that he is exactly who he says. Seaton filmed the parade live at the 1946 event with one chance at every shot.

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Attributes

Genre
ComedyFantasy
Theme
Faith & DoubtHopeAppearance vs RealityIdentity & Self
Archetype (Jung / Campbell)
MentorInnocentWise Fool
Plot structure
TrialComic ResolutionMistaken Identity
Symbol / motif
The TrialThe CityThe Letter
Conflict
vs Societyvs Self
Mode / tone
ComicRomantic
Culture / tradition
Modern / American

Closest analogues