Tis the season!
Basically, I’ve run out of the seasonal TV characters to bring into the TVXOHOF, including three different Santas - the Santa of Earth Prime-Time, the Santa of Evil Toobworld, and Santa Larry, one of Santa’s many impersonators.
In 2023, I decided to induct a Christmas movie, the one which many people (including my sister) think is the greatest Christmas movie ever. (There are those who believe it’s even the greatest movie ever made. I am not among that number.)
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
And then last year we brought - the original holiday TV special only! - in from the cold:
"HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS"
So this year, I decided to take that path again, this time inducting MY favorite Christmas movie….
"Miracle on 34th Street" (initially released as "The Big Heart" in the United Kingdom) is a 1947 American Christmas comedy-drama film released by 20th Century-Fox, written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies. It stars Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. The story takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas in New York City, and focuses on the effect of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite.
But for Earth Prime-Time, the main Toobworld, it remains fictional with only the 1947 movie, and the other adaptations never happened. (They might exist as mentioned, as TV adaptations, [See the 'Wings' entry] but that would not be a Zonk; that’s how it is here on Earth Prime as well.)
So here are some mentions of the 1947 movie “Miracle on 34th Street” in various TV shows, confirming that there is a televersion in Toobworld.
All of the descriptions are from the IMDb.
CHRISTMAS (1977)
On Christmas Eve, Lou hopes to find an all-night theatre playing “Miracle on 34th Street”.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Miskel Spillman/Elvis Costello (1977)
Reviewed by Bill Murray on Weekend Update.
From One SNL A Day project:
BIM is disappointed in "Miracle On 34th Street"’s ambiguous stance on Santa.
Bill got a noteworthy good reaction from the audience after he started his commentary. It’s nice to see how popular he’s become with the audience.
— Bill’s overall commentary was very up-and-down, being funny in some moments and dragging in other moments. It kinda hurts to admit that I’ve been kinda underwhelmed with his last few review commentaries in general.
— I did like the camera panning over to Jane’s deadpan WTF-type facial reaction when Bill’s commentary oddly ended with him sleeping on a pillow.
O’Bservation:
SNL is a member of the TVXOHOF with a curious pedigree. The production of the show happens in the main Toobworld, but once a sketch is performed, it becomes part of Skitlandia.
‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE MURDERED (1980)
The title is seen on a theater marquee.
YOU GOTTA HAVE HOPE (1989)
HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM GRANDPA (1989)
Jonathan & Mark mention the movie by name
QUANTUM LEAP
IT’S A WONDERFUL LEAP - MAY 10, 1958 (1992)
Angela mentions that they are on 34th Street. Immediately afterwards, Sam says that it is a miracle that she survived after he ran her over with his taxi.
A MELROSE PLACE CHRISTMAS (1992)
Billy hires the tape of this for Allison.
THE CUSTOMER’S USUALLY RIGHT (1992)
Helen asks Joe if they had this title at the video store. His response: "Not even the David Hartman version."
HOME AND AWAY
EPISODE #1.1603 (1994)
Roxy mentions it.
BROWN IN TOYLAND (1994)
Mentioned by Murphy.
TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL
JACOB’S LADDER (1996)
The judge says he won't turn his case into a scene from the movie.
MILLENNIUM
MIDNIGHT OF THE CENTURY (1997)
mentioned by Frank
MEN BEHAVING BADLY
GIFT OF JAMI (1997)
Brenda mentions the movie.
CASTOFF (1998)
Serial killer Eddie Chandler recalls watching the movie as a child, (naming several movies which gave him an idealized viewpoint of NYC.)
JAG
ALL YE FAITHFUL (2002)
Title referenced
ER
ALL ABOUT CHRISTMAS EVE (2005)
Clemente says to one of the patients that now that his wife is dead he must watch Miracle on 34th Street alone.
BONES
THE SANTA IN THE SLUSH (2007)
Cam: "This isn't ‘Miracle on 34th Street’, people!"
LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE
THE WEEK OF DYING DANGEROUSLY (2009)
Rayyan mentions the movie by name.
GOSSIP GIRL
LAST TANGO, THEN PARIS (2010)
Blair says if Dorota lets her go anywhere near 34th Street, there won't be a miracle but a massacre.
NCIS:LOS ANGELES
DISORDER (2010)
Mentioned by Kensi
Sam Hanna(?):
So what do we do now?
Kensi Blye:
Well, uh, we do what most families do on Christmas Eve.
G Callen(?):
Watch Uncle Bob get drunk and pee in the toaster?
Kensi Blye:
How about eat and watch TV?
Sam Hanna(?):
That's a great idea. The game just started.
Kensi Blye:
I was thinking more along the lines of 'Miracle on 34th Street'.
G Callen(?):
Really?
Deeks:
Actually, I wouldn't mind watching that.
G Callen(?):
Really?
Kensi:
Why don't you go get the food, Deeks?
Deeks:
Yeah. Why don't I go get the food? 'Cause that's what Deeks does is get...
Turkey sandwiches okay for everybody?
So what do we do now?
Kensi Blye:
Well, uh, we do what most families do on Christmas Eve.
G Callen(?):
Watch Uncle Bob get drunk and pee in the toaster?
Kensi Blye:
How about eat and watch TV?
Sam Hanna(?):
That's a great idea. The game just started.
Kensi Blye:
I was thinking more along the lines of 'Miracle on 34th Street'.
G Callen(?):
Really?
Deeks:
Actually, I wouldn't mind watching that.
G Callen(?):
Really?
Kensi:
Why don't you go get the food, Deeks?
Deeks:
Yeah. Why don't I go get the food? 'Cause that's what Deeks does is get...
Turkey sandwiches okay for everybody?
2 BROKE GIRLS
AND THE VERY CHRISTMAS THANKSGIVING (2011)
Caroline mentions "Miracle on 34th Street" being her favorite Christmas movie.
2 BROKE GIRLS
AND MARTHA STEWART HAVE A BALL: PART 1 (2012)
mentioned by Caroline
YULETIDE FORTUNE TELLERS (2014)
Daphne brings the DVD of the movie to watch it with Regina.
LAST CHRISTMAS (2014)
Mentioned on list
FRESH OFF THE BOAT
COUSIN EDDIE (2018)
Referenced by Jessica
Also....
FRESH OFF THE BOATCOUSIN EDDIE (2018)
Referenced by Jessica
Also....
MIRACLE ON DEAD STREET (2015)
Title reference
ZOE EVER AFTER
GAME FACE (2016)
Valenté says it's his favorite holiday movie.
COUSHATTA (2018)
Judge Benedict Munninger asks Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Ericsen if she was "prosecuting Santa Claus" in her case against Huell Babineaux after he is mailed thousands of hand written letters in defense of Huell's good natured character. In the film, the New York City Courthouse receives thousands of letters from children in the defense of Edmund Gwenn's character who claims to be the real Santa Claus.
PEKING DUCK DAY (2019)
One of the movie choices that Conrad and Nic must choose from.
PILOT (2020)
The priests go to see this movie.
"'Miracle on 34th Street' is playing at the Westmont.
Will you be joining us, Father McMurtry?"
PICKET FENCES
PILOT (1992)
Joey Fero is watching the film on TV at home.
The IMDb is in error. The scene displayed is of Jean Hersholt and Shirley Temple in "Heidi" from 1937, ten years earlier. As Grandfather, Hersholt may have looked like Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, but there's no mistaking Shirley Temple's voice for Natalie Wood's....
I sent in a correction; we'll see if anybody notices.
HAVE A SEAT, EARL (2008)
Clips watched on television.
UNDECK THE HALLS (2009)
Jay and Manny watch the movie, only it's a joke copy with one of those scary pop-ups.
BREAKTHROUGH PAIN (2021)
Playing on TV while Bridget and Paul make out on the couch.
IT’S ALL ABOUT TRADITION (2023)
Title mentioned by Toony the Tuna; publicity still with Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn
ALTERNATE TOOBWORLDS
EVIL TOOBWORLD
CHAPTER ELEVEN: A MIDWINTER’S TALE (2018)
Mentioned by Hilda as one of Sabrina's favorite holiday movies.
WELDON’S TOOBWORLD
CASTLE
SECRET SANTA (2012)
After Beckett notes that the name on the dead Santa's ID card is Kris Kringle, Castle says, "Maybe he's the real Santa, like in ‘Miracle on 34th Street’."
THE TOONIVERSE
RICK AND MORTY
RICK:
Rick Santa-chez here with gifts from across the multiverse!
For Jerry, an extra-dimensional version of "Miracle on 34th Street."
SECRET SANTA (2012)
After Beckett notes that the name on the dead Santa's ID card is Kris Kringle, Castle says, "Maybe he's the real Santa, like in ‘Miracle on 34th Street’."
THE TOONIVERSE
RICKTIONAL MORTPOON’S RICKMAS MORTCATION (2022)
Rick buys Jerry an extra-dimensional version of this movie which is 2 hours longer.RICK:
Rick Santa-chez here with gifts from across the multiverse!
For Jerry, an extra-dimensional version of "Miracle on 34th Street."
JERRY:
Two hours longer! They fixed my only problem with it!
BOB’S BURGERS
THE PLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (2022)
The burger of the day is "The Pineapple on 34th Street Burger".
LIFE WITH LOUIE
FAMILY PORTRAIT (1997)
Characters watch this movie on television.
THE SIMPSONS
I WON’T BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (2014)
Watched on TV at Moe's Tavern. The Judge is seen rendering his decision and Moe points out that few people knew that his ruling was overturned in the sequel.
O'Bservation:
With those last two entries, the animated characters in the Tooniverse see the actual live-action movie from Earth Prime. It could be the same technology which created the interface so that Space Ghost could talk to real people from Earth.
This may become a holiday tradition. I'll have to do the research to find out if Alistair Sims' version of "A Christmas Carol" was mentioned enough times in other TV shows to merit inclusion in the TVXOHOF. I suppose I could deal with all the adaptations of Charles Dickens' classic story. (Dickens himself is already in the Hall, as portrayed by Simon Callow.)
But I would like to showcase the best adaptation, if I do say so myself.
However it would be fun if "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" qualified with three separate mentions.
Or I could go with "Die Hard"....
Welcome to the Hall, "Miracle On 34th Street"!
Two hours longer! They fixed my only problem with it!
THE PLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (2022)
The burger of the day is "The Pineapple on 34th Street Burger".
FAMILY PORTRAIT (1997)
Characters watch this movie on television.
I WON’T BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (2014)
Watched on TV at Moe's Tavern. The Judge is seen rendering his decision and Moe points out that few people knew that his ruling was overturned in the sequel.
O'Bservation:
With those last two entries, the animated characters in the Tooniverse see the actual live-action movie from Earth Prime. It could be the same technology which created the interface so that Space Ghost could talk to real people from Earth.
This may become a holiday tradition. I'll have to do the research to find out if Alistair Sims' version of "A Christmas Carol" was mentioned enough times in other TV shows to merit inclusion in the TVXOHOF. I suppose I could deal with all the adaptations of Charles Dickens' classic story. (Dickens himself is already in the Hall, as portrayed by Simon Callow.)
But I would like to showcase the best adaptation, if I do say so myself.
Or I could go with "Die Hard"....
Welcome to the Hall, "Miracle On 34th Street"!
