Miracle on 34th Street
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 6+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
A kind old man named Kris takes a job as the Santa at a big store. He says he is the real Santa Claus, and a little girl named Susan is not sure she can believe him. A court has to decide who he is. This is a gentle film about kindness, trust and childlike faith. Kris puts people ahead of sales, and the grown-ups around him learn from it. Parents need to guide this one. Susan's mother is divorced and the film treats her new romance as a happy ending without question. A parade Santa is drunk, and the story never mentions the birth of Christ.
For parents
Common Sense Media says five and up. Things to know: Common Sense Media logs cigars and cigarettes, and two scenes where characters appear drunk. Wikipedia notes the film opens with a drunk Santa at the parade. Kris hits a man on the head for mistreating a young worker, and he is then taken to a psychiatric hospital and faces a hearing. Susan's mother Doris is divorced, which is why the Legion of Decency gave the film a B in 1947, as Wikipedia reports. Doris and Fred share one kiss and talk of marriage, and the film never says whether she is free to marry. Macy's is on screen throughout. Christmas here is about kindness and belief in Santa, not about the Nativity. Ask: why does Kris send shoppers to other stores? Is believing in Santa the same as faith in God? Who was the real Saint Nicholas, and what is Christmas for?