<P> Miracle on 34th Street (originally released in the United Kingdom as The Big Heart) is a 1947 American Christmas comedy - drama film 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 Day and Christmas Day in New York City, and focuses on the impact of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa . The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite . </P> <P> The film won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Edmund Gwenn), Best Writing, Original Story (Valentine Davies) and Best Writing, Screenplay . It was also nominated for Best Picture, losing to Gentleman's Agreement . In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". The Academy Film Archive preserved Miracle on 34th Street in 2009 . </P> <P> Davies also penned a short novelization of the tale, which was published by Harcourt Brace simultaneously with the film's release . </P> <P> Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is indignant to find that the man (Percy Helton) assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is intoxicated . When he complains to event director Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara), she persuades Kris to take his place . He does so well, he is hired to play Santa at Macy's flagship New York City store on 34th Street . </P>

Who played tommy mara in miracle on 34th street