miracle on 34th street

the year: 1947

the genre: comedy


the cast: Maureen O'Hara (Doris Walker); John Payne (Fred Gailey); Natalie Wood (Susan Walker); Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle)


the plot: When Doris Walker frantically recruits a last minute replacement for a drunken Santa for Macy's Christmas parade, he seems just ideal for he job and perhaps for good reason - he says his name is Kris Kringle and that he's the real Santa Claus. He proves to be popular with the children visiting the store when he's hired full-time, but after a run-in with the store's psychologist, Kris finds himself at Bellevue. Doris' friend/neighbor, Fred Gaily, agrees to represent Kris and to try to prove in court that Kris is the real Santa Claus.


don't miss: whether Santa Claus sleeps with his whiskers outside or in the covers.


count: the mailbags carried into the courtroom at the end of Kris's hearing.


listen for: "But you go ahead Henry, you do it your way. You go on back in there and tell them that you rule there is no Santy Claus. Go on. But if you do, remember this: you can count on getting just two votes, your own and that district attorney's out there." "The District Attorney's a Republican."


did you know: this was Thelma Ritter's film debut.


extra bonus points: if you know what the little girl says in Dutch to Kris when he asks her what she wants for Christmas.

weekend in havana

the year: 1942

the genre: musical


the cast: Alice Faye (Nan Spencer); John Payne (Jay Williams); Carmen Miranda (Rosita Rivas); Cesar Romero (Monte Blanca); Cobina Wright (Terry McCracken)


the plot: Ship company employee, Jay Williams, is sent to Florida where one of the company cruise ships is stuck on a reef off of the coast. He obtains waivers from all of the passengers with the exception of Nan Spencer, a department store salesgirl who wants her vacation NOW, not later. Jay is instructed to take Nan to Havana and set her up in the best hotel and keep her entertained - anything to get her signature on the waiver.



don't miss: Jay Williams: tour guide.




watch for: Leonid Kinskey as Rafael the bellhop. He is one of the great character actors of the 30s and 40s - and he's Russian (not Spanish).



listen for: "You are a no good, good-for-nothing. But I like you!"




did you know: Alice Faye was pregnant during the filming of this movie.





extra bonus points: if you can name two other movies in which Alice Faye and Carmen Miranda co-starred.




also listen for: "Aha! Now I have got you where you want me!