"People are only institutionalized to be kept from harming themselves or other people; Mr Kringle is incapable of either, his is a delusion for good," Dr. Pierce said.
Dr. Pierce played by James Seay is a psychologist from the vintage movie "Miracle On 34th Street." This 1947 flick won three academy awards. Actor Edmund Gwenn who portrayed Santa Claus was awarded best supporting actor that year, and writers Valentine Davies (best original story) and screen-writer George Seaton were the other award winning recipients.
Kris Kringle (Gwenn) was a last minute substitution to be Santa Clause in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, because their Santa was too drunk to participate in the Macy's fest. Macy's executive, Doris Walker, played by Maureen O' Hara also hires Saint Nicholas (Gwenn) to be Macy's department store Santa Clause for the Christmas season.
Walker and the head of the toy department adore their new hire Santa Clause, and so does Mr. Macy. Santa (Gwenn) advises parents where they can find certain toys for their children, even if the toys are not at Macy's.
Mr. Macy credits Walker (O' Hara) and the toy department manager for increasing the stores profits. Macy's profits soar because parents perceive the store management as heartfelt and into the spirit of Christmas, hence more shoppers.
Walker (O' Hara) soon has her doubts about her new hire Santa, because he actually believes he's Santa Clause and has previously been released from a mental institution by Dr. Pierce (Seay).
Macy's psychologist, Mr. Sawyer, a grumpy cheerless fellow claims Kringle displays violent tendencies because of the way he yields his cane, and he recommends that Santa should be fired immediately. Mr. Macy doesn't care that his new hire Santa actually believes he's Saint Nick, so Walker does not fire him.
Doris Walker is a very professional and logical single mother who tells her daughter there is no Santa Clause, and is very adamant that her daughter not believe in childish fantasies. Defense lawyer, Fred Gailey played by John Payne is in love with Doris Walker, and he makes her angry when he takes Natalie Wood, Susan Walker, the 9-year-old daughter of Doris to see Santa.
Nine-year-old Susan, (Wood) like her mother tells Santa to his face he's not really Santa, and this sets the challenge for Kris Kringle. Kringle says to Susan's mom, Doris, that if he can convince her, a sheer doubter, then he can convince anyone he's actually Santa Clause.
The conflict gets into full gear when Susan (Wood) asks Santa for a real house for Christmas, and soon afterwards, because of the Grinchy Mr. Sawyer, Kris Kringle winds up on trail for lunacy in the New York Supreme Court.
Supreme court Judge, Henry X. Harper thinks he's got himself an easy case, all he has to do is rule in a court of law, there is no Santa Clause. Before the trial even begins, Harper learns quickly the conundrum he's in for. His young grand-daughter and even younger grandson shun him because he's putting Santa Clause on trial for insanity.
Harper is an elected New York judge and he knows that if he rules in court there is a Santa Clause, his own sanity and career will be in jeopardy. Here's the advice he receives from his friend and professional advisor;
"Go ahead, go state that the New York Supreme Court rules there is no Santa Clause, it's all over the papers, the kids read it, and don't hang up their stockings, what happens to all those toys that are supposed to be in those stockings? Nobody buys them, the toy manufactures are going to have to lay off a lot their employees. Department stores and the candy makers also lose a fortune. The only votes you're going to get are from yourself and the prosecuting district attorney." The district attorney is a republican judge Henry replies with dismay.
If defense lawyer, Fred Gailey cannot prove authoritatively that Kris Kringle is really Santa Clause, then Kringle will be sentenced to a mental institution. All seems lost until a letter to Santa Clause from a random child addresses the letter to the New York, City Courthouse as opposed to the North Pole.
After the prosecution rests its case, Fred Gaily reads to the Judge an official document from the U.S. Post Office. Gaily makes the following point clear in court; The postal laws and regulations make it a criminal offense to willfully misdirect mail or intentionally deliver mail to the wrong party. After Gaily illustrates this fact, members of the U.S. Post Office deliver several bags containing thousands of letters addressed to Santa Clause to Kringle while in court.
Gaily says to the judge; Members of the U.S. Post Office, a branch of the Federal Government have delivered this mail to Kris Kringle, declaring him to be Santa Clause.
"Since the U.S. Government declares this man to be Santa Clause, this court will not dispute it," Judge Henry X. Harper said, concluding the court case.
Fred Gaily ignites the spirit of Christmas, takes command of his career, and is loved by the woman of his desires.
Gaily, upon his victory in court invites Kris Kringle to have dinner with him, Doris and Susan that night, and Kringle respectively declines, saying he'll be very busy, it's Christmas Eve.
On Christmas morning while Fred is driving with Doris and Susan, Susan excitedly gets out of the car while it's briefly stopped, and runs into a house that is for sale, it's the house she asked Santa for. Fred and Doris agree they can't disappoint Susan, so they both decide to buy the house. Santa's cane is leaning against the wall. Doris and Fred both see the cane and look at each other in amazed curiosity...
Five stars for this rated G Christmas classic, "Miracle On 34th Street."
Izzy Schurr, aka, Mark Schurr
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