<Li> Snub Pollard as Mail - Bearing Court Officer </Li> <Li> Thelma Ritter as Peter's Mother </Li> <Li> James Seay as Dr. Pierce, physician at the Brooks Memorial Home for the Aged </Li> <P> Although the film is set during the Christmas season, studio head Darryl F. Zanuck insisted that it be released in May, arguing that more people go to the movies in warmer weather . The studio rushed to promote it while keeping its Christmas setting a secret . Fox's promotional trailer depicted a fictional producer roaming the studio backlot and encountering such stars as Rex Harrison, Anne Baxter, Peggy Ann Garner, and Dick Haymes extolling the virtues of the film . In addition, the movie posters prominently featured O'Hara and Payne, with Gwenn's character kept in the background . The film opened in New York City at the Roxy Theatre on June 4, 1947 . By contrast, modern home video packaging has Gwenn and Wood dominating the imagery, with the DVD release having Kringle in his Santa Claus costume . </P>

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