<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 assigned to play Santa in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (Percy Helton) 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> <P> Ignoring instructions to steer parents to buy from Macy's, Kris directs one shopper (Thelma Ritter) to a competitor . Impressed, she tells Julian Shellhammer (Philip Tonge), head of the toy department, that she will become a loyal customer . </P>

Who played kris kringle in miracle on 34th street