Miracle on 34th Street voted best-loved Christmas film

(19/12/2007)

'Miracle on 34th Street' was voted as our best-loved film with the story, first-released on the silver screen in 1947, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. When it comes to the nation’s favourite Christmas film, classic family favourites are still top of the bill according to research carried out by RIAS.

The 1947 version of the Academy Award-winning Christmas classic, starring Maureen O’Hara and John Payne, tells the story of a single mother and her daughter who are left wondering whether a department store Father Christmas is actually the real Mr Claus. In the seasonal survey conducted by RIAS, 'Miracle on 34th Street' came in first, followed by 'The Snowman', the 1980s animated classic. 'White Christmas' and 'A Christmas Carol' jointly share third place in the nations affections this Christmas.

The results follow a survey earlier in the year, which saw RIAS revealing the nation’s favourite happy-ending film as the 61-year-old 'It’s a Wonderful Life', a film also strongly associated with Christmas.

Janet Connor, Managing Director of RIAS, commented: “Britain certainly seems to love the age-old classics. Despite a combined age of 121 years, the nation’s favourite happy ending film – 'It’s a Wonderful Life' – and favourite Christmas film – 'Miracle on 34th Street' – shows no signs of ageing. The secret seems to be that these are traditional, feel-good classics; films the whole family can sit down together and enjoy, be it at Christmas or any other time of the year.”

The nation’s best-loved Christmas films are:
1. Miracle on 34th Street
2. The Snowman
3. White Christmas
4. A Christmas Carol
5. Santa Claus – The Movie
6. Scrooge
7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
8. The Muppets’ Christmas Carol
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas
10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Related categories:  Books films and music   Christmas present   Gift for children and babies 

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