European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 27, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Nas at the movies from recover spokesman for the Navy s Heaters in Naples Italy says he expects to receive Miracle in mid december. The movie is about a Little girl who does not be Lieve in Santa Daus until she meets Kriss Kringle a department store Santa who claims to be the real item. The original version won a Best supporting actor Oscar for Edmund Gwenn who played Kringle. It also starred Maureen o Hara with Natalie Wood As the sceptical youngster. The new version stars Richard Attenborough As Kringle and Mara Wilson As 6-year-old Susan Walker. /., Luthi said movie studios make More Money in the big commercial houses in the states naturally and Are less interested in the military theater system. But in this Case buyers from cafes Headquarters in Dallas were Able to Appeal to the Holiday Spir it of 20th Century Fox which put out Miracle on34thstrect. Other movies Are going to make Quick trans at of race courtroom scene with William Kasey Richard Attenborough and Dylan Mcdermott. 20th Century Fox lactic excursions too Luthi added. Another movie with a Holiday theme the Santa clause starring Tim alien of Home improvement Fame will be on the cafes circuit by dec. 16. It is the Story of a divorced dad who is trying to win the affection of his son. When a mishap prevents Santa Claus from making his rounds on Christmas eve the father and son must Complete the Mission. Arriving to cafes Heaters on dec 23 will be Junior starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. When a scientific Experiment goes awry muscle bound Arnold becomes the world s first pregnant Man. Luthi said of the Holiday lineup we want to give these communities a Nice Christmas  one is the second Best Miracle by Ellen Futterman St. Louis Post dispatch Hen the top brass at Macy s was asked if the Manhattan department store would participate in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street the retailer just was t interested. We feel the original stands on its own and could not be improved upon a Macy s spokeswoman reportedly said. Macy s was right. The remake lacks not Only Macy s but also much of the wit and Good natured spirit of the 1947 Origi Nal As Well As the most satisfying explanation of Santa Claus in the history of christmastime movies. That said the 1994 version written and produced by John Hughes is still enjoyable. Younger children probably will like the newer film better because it clearly was updated with them in mind. The scoundrels Are More obvious and there Are More of them and the names of some of the characters have been changed to make them More contemporary. After All How Many do rises or freds does a modern 7-Ycar-old know in this new version Coles department store step Ping in for Macy a needs a successful Christmas sea son to stay afloat. But having one looks dubious especially when the store s Santa reports drunk co the thanksgiving Day Parade. Enter Kriss Kringle Richard Attenborough who happens to be strolling along and spots the trouble. When it s Clear the hired Santa is in no condition to participate in the Parade the store s director of publicity Dorey changed from Doris in the original Walker Elizabeth Perkin persuades Kringle to fill in. He does such a Good Job she hires him for  " a. The Job is just an Extension of Kringle True Voca Tion since he truly believes he is the one and Only Santa Claus. In that capacity he puts the spirit of Christmas before commercialization and instructs Coles customers where to find the merchandise they want at the Price they want even if that Means going to another store. V he also takes it upon himself to try to convert Walker s 6-year-old daughter Susan Mara Wilson into believing in him even though she has been told 20th Century Fox Mara Wilson wonders about Santa in Miracle. That there is no such thing As Santa Claus. The remake charts a loopy course from the Origi Nal but includes the trial to prove Kringle is the one and Only Santa Claus. Once again the attorney rep resenting Kriss is Walker s neighbor and love inter est but this time his name is Bryan Bedford Dylan Mcdermott instead of Fred Galley. And As mentioned the Climax of the trial is nowhere near As convincing As the one in the original think Post of fice scene or As whimsical or As innovative. Why Hughes Felt the need to change it is As much a mys Tery As what Santa s Reindeer do in the off season. As for Santa Attenborough is terrific in the role that won his predecessor Edmund Gwenn an Oscar for Best supporting actor. Attenborough does t necessarily improve on the award winning portrayal but his Kriss smacks of authenticity and sweetness. He sparkles on the screen. Ditto Wilson who played the youngest of the three mrs. Doubt arc children. While she s no Nata lie Wood who could be Wilson under the direction of Les Mayfield enc to Man deftly combines an ahead of her years scepticism about fantasy witha child like innocence of wanting to believe producing a Susan who is charming but not egregiously adorable. As her sensible Mother Perkins plays the part As if she were still Wilma Flintstone. Mcdermott s bed Ford is serviceable but not memorable and the chemistry Between his character and Perkins is about the same. Gone from the remake Are several ancillary characters like the janitor Alfred and the department store s goofy psychologist who infused the original script with some of its humor. The new version co written by George Seaton who also wrote the Origi Nal from a Story by Valentine Davies employs a Bunch of Nasty Coles competitors As antagonists. They add nothing to the plot except an ugly Energy. Miracle on 34th Street the remake in t about to make you forget the original. But As Christmas fare goes these Days it s certainly palatable enough for adults and appealing enough for kids. Scripps Howard news service Page 4 sunday november 27,1994