Released in 1994 this move is a remake (shock horror a remake in my top 100) from the original movie from 1947. It did change certain things such as the attitude of the central character. It does mean that Richard Attenborough goes from directing the last movie in this list to acting in this one. This one was directed by Les Mayfield and produced by John Hughes, William Ryan and William Beasley, with the screenplay created by John Hughes and George Seaton. Along with Richard the other stars of this movie were - Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J. T. Walsh, James Remar, Mara Wilson, and Robert Prosky.
It returned $46.3m from the box office on the back of a production cost of $29m which may not be the greatest of profits but for a Christmas movie it is up there in the top 20 of profits. Personally I was surprised by the slightly stiffy reviews from the usual two but I may agree in my summary section but the scores were IMDb with 6.5 from 10 and Rotten Tomatoes 60%. Onto the plot? Yes ok then..
Cole’s Department Store like everyone else is preparing for Christmas and it is obviously a very important commercial time of the year for them. They have a person to play Santa who is was found drunk at work and is fired by Dorey Walker the events director on the spot. With a stranger stood next to them looking the part ahead of the Thanksgiving parade she instantly hires him. Surprising he calls himself Kris Kringle. He does so well on the parade she hires him for the team to play Santa for the festive run up to Christmas. He does an amazing job that all the children of New York believe he is real. Well nearly all of them as Dorey’s own daughter (Susan) does not. Dorey’s boyfriend Bryan does his best to make her believe but with a commercial and practical mother she is having none of it. One night Kris is asked to babysit Susan and he tries to convince her that he is the real Santa and she reveals her wishes for Christmas and if it happens she will believe. The fact that she wished for the house where Cole’s did a photoshoot, a new dad and a younger brother is nothing short of miraculous in itself. Cole’s is seeing a great numbers and profits coming in which Kris is being credit for by helping everyone. With the kids loving him he is even telling parents where cheaper toys are available elsewhere meaning they keep coming back to get advice and anyone being that honest deserves our money. Cole’s biggest rival Macy & Gimbel, offers financial incentive to the fired ex Santa of Cole’s to set up Kris to attack him in public just as their employees just happen to be with a camera. Kris is charged with assault and claiming to be Santa means he is then deemed not mentally able to be released and the case is taken to court. For Kris to be released he now has to prove he is the real Santa and Bryan is hired as his lawyer to free Kris.
There you go, I think that covers the plot all the way up until the end for you. If you need more and you should, you need to go watch it yourself. This is a sweet and uplifting Christmas movie. It is a Christmas movie and it doesn’t try and hide it like Die Hard and Gremlins it is in your face a loving Christmas moving. I will be honest and say that many years ago I would of struggled to get this movie above 200 in my list but this is one that my wife loves and it had grown and grown on me. I never really gave it a chance and if you are the same then I can tell you to let the Christmas love into your heart and give this a chance. This is beautiful and sweet, which is perfect for a Christmas movies and ticks the sit around the TV with the kids at Christmas marks. Try it you might enjoy spending time with your kids at Christmas.
Next up is another subtitled movie that many people simply didn’t like, I enjoyed it and will recommend it as well. There are not many horror movies to laugh out loud to and this is one.
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