Lux Radio Theater Miracle On 34th Street. 481220 (RV43, retro602)

Features Maureen Ohara in a Christmas classic for the whole family that tries to prove there is a Santa Claus.

The annual Macie’s parade is in full swing with the most realistic looking Santa ever. The skeptical mom and daughter get ready for their Thanksgiving Day feast, and enjoy the praise from the department store executives where mom works. Meanwhile, Santa offers help for parents to find the toys they want, even if it means sending them to other rival stores. Susan, the daughter gets to visit with Santa, something that makes mom upset. To prove her point she tries to make the Santa come clean, and tell Suzy that he isn’t really Santa. Troubles compound when a new man tries to move in on mom’s affections, and she has some explaining to do about her Santa sending customers away.

Mom is still concerned that Santa is really a senile old man, and wants to have him tested. It’s just to protect the store from liabilities… you know… should he do something dangerous. While mom worries, Santa is charming with everybody he meets. When Santa has a moment of confrontation with a store head, he ends up in a mental ward.

Fred, the new man in mom’s life, is a lawyer and figures the best thing is to enjoy the publicity, not hide from it. As a publicity stunt, he puts Santa on trial to have him both legally declared sane, and Santa. It’s all to bring justice to the nice old man who is locked up, while nasty store execs are allowed to roam free.

Don’t miss the big climax when the courtroom drama puts Santa, and skeptical ideas on trial. Will personal and public opinion rule the day, or will the law find that Santa is insane? I won’t spoil the fun ending, so give it a listen. Let’s just say that mom and daughter have some of their hopes restored by the time the show is done.

Bonus Tracks

  • Keith makes the usual corrections the old fashioned Retrobots give, and a quick summary of this classic, holiday favorite. We get a mystery caller to remind listeners to consider donating too the podcast in an easy, and affordable way. The original installment from the vault includes a Christmas carol, as well as one we added. Enjoy. .
  • It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.
  • Al Jolson 1948 White Christmas.