Touches You

As Good As It Gets

A Masterpiece!

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I thought the Thomas Mitchell version as OK as we'll, while Richard Attenborough's left a bitter taste in my mouth. What stood out was that it's set up blended so well into the 70's era. I confess, I always thought of David Hartman as a newsman, but here I realize he wasn't a bad actor at all. Cabot's Santa? Loved him! Convincingly kind and gentle, and showed brilliant Santa magic. In some ways it does feel like you'd get lost following this if you didn't already know the story, because you don't get a lot to tell you just what the characters as set up are all about, and you don't get hardly any exposition of Karen Walker as an unbeliever, but familiarity saves it. As well, I feel like i wouldn't like it as much if not for wanting some reprieve from the forced resolution I got out of the Attenborough version. The Post Office miracle doesn't feel as brilliant, but still different enough to feel fresh, a nd believable enough to appreciate as a miracle. I won't put as much diligence into making this a Christmas season must-see, but I'll definitely get to a point where it feels like another go is in order. Not a bad version at all.

Miracle On 34th Street 1973I have seen the other two movies, never saw this movie before l , this was not as good as the original or 1994 remakeI just could not get into this movie at all, This movie was missing something, I can not put my finger on it!I just didn't enjoy it, while i was watching, it took me while to get into the movie, as most of the movie scene from scene remake but scenes felt empty and stillthe acting was okay from the cast 4/10

I don't know why most of the people here don't like this version, and compare it very unfavorably with the 1947 movie version.I saw this in 1973, and perhaps a couple more times after that. Then it disappeared. It was difficult to track this down; even the existence of this version. Neither Blockbuster nor Netflix stocks this version.David Hartman became the ABC morning show host soon after. Or was he already in that capacity when this was made? Jane Alexander gave a fine portrayal as the "sensible" mother. Sebastian Cabot was simply made for the role. I thought Burl Ives would have made a good choice too.I thought that overall, the performances in this TV version far more understated while the older movie version is too explicit, leaving nothing to imagination. The dialogue seemed too contrived.I wish I can find the TV version somewhere.

I have seen and liked all 3 versions of this movie (and let's pray no one else remakes it again)but this version I've only seen twice. I saw it in the early 90s one night in December on late night TV and then last night the MY-TV Network played the new DVD version. I could tell it was the DVD because it had those squares that interfere with the picture for a moment.It was better than I remember it but I do agree with some here that it's not the best version. That always will be the first one,with the 1994 one being fairly close to that version. This version however is really pretty good. It only suffers from 1970s sensibilities,fashion and although I hate to say it,former "Good Morning America" host David Hartman. He does well enough for a TV-movie and he did seem more into his role in the second half of the movie. Especially the very famous mailmen in the courtroom scene. The actress playing Susan's mother is nice and demonstrates the modern woman of that day admirably but it seems rushed in how she and Hartman fall in love and get together. I wont fault the girl who played Susan at all,a kid is a kid and maybe she's not Natalie Wood but I still think she did a good job. Sebastian Cabot was the perfect choice for Kris. Loved his song too and glad there was only one song in the movie. He brought just the right energy to the role. The film is filled with A-List (and B list) TV actors of the day and they all play their roles great and all were funny too. So,overall I can't find a tremendous amount of fault with the movie,I liked it too much to rate it less than a 9 out of ten. I'd say ten but the other two films truly outshine it. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! (END)