🎥 REVIEW: It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

People often know about The Miracle on 34th Street during Christmas, but have you heard about the events on Fifth Avenue?

It Happened on Fifth Avenue is a special holiday movie from 1947 that I've grown to love over the last ten years. I discovered it while watching it on the Turner Classics Movie Channel, and now I look forward to seeing it every Christmas season when it comes on. While it's not as famous as other Christmas movies, this film has an interesting link to one of the most popular holiday films ever created.

The Plot: In the bustling heart of Manhattan, amidst the towering skyscrapers and streets filled with life, stands a grand mansion on Fifth Avenue owned by the  “industrial wizard” and the 2nd richest man in the world, the fastidious Michael O’Conner, portrayed comically by Charles Ruggles. Each winter, when O'Conner escapes to his other luxurious residences, the mansion becomes a whimsical refuge for Aloysius T. McKeever, a character animatedly brought to life by Victor Moore.

 

McKeever, known for his quirky philosophical musings and his dog, finds solace in the splendor of the empty mansion. 

 

However, this year takes an unexpected turn as McKeever decides to extend his kindness toward Jim Bullock, a World War II veteran played by Don DeFore, who faces the grim reality of eviction from his apartment due to O'Conner's plans to construct a new skyscraper.

Before long, they come across Trudy, portrayed delightfully by Gale Storm, escaping from her boarding school. Little do the residents of the house know that Trudy is O'Connor's 18-year-old daughter. She's been dissatisfied with her life and her parents' separation so she returned to their Fifth Avenue home, unaware of the mansion’s winter visitors.

When Trudy discovers that McKeever and Jim are harmless and simply need a place to stay, she chooses to conceal her true identity and adopts the name Trudy Smith to blend in.

Soon after, Trudy develops feelings for Jim. However, Jim remains oblivious to Trudy’s real identity. She is determined to win Jim's heart without revealing her wealth, which Jim wouldn’t even consider when falling in love. Adding to the chaos are Jim's fellow veterans, Whitey (Alan Hale, Jr.) and Hank (Edward Ryan), along with their families, who are also invited to stay at the mansion while they work through their housing issues. Their proposal involves purchasing an old Army camp to convert barracks into affordable housing. Trudy is eager for her dad to meet Jim, but he must disguise himself as a beggar. McKeever permits “Mike” to reside in the mansion in the role of a servant.

Things get more complicated when McKeever dislikes Jim and warns about evicting everyone. Desperate, Trudy asks her mother Mary, (Ann Harding) from Palm Beach (recently separated from O'Connor), for help. Mary comes to New York and pretends to be homeless like the other squatters. Mary makes her special Slumgullion stew to help win over Mike. McKeever notices that Mary and Mike like each other and quietly helps their relationship grow.

 

 

 

 

I won't reveal any more details about the film, but I bet you're curious about the intriguing connection this film has to one of the all-time favorite holiday flicks.

The film's storyline bears similarities to Frank Capra's work, and in 1945, he actually had the opportunity to direct what would become It Happened on 5th Avenue when Liberty Films acquired The Fifth Avenue Story. The title notably echoed his successful 1934 comedy It Happened One Night. Though initially slated to direct, Capra ultimately pursued another Christmas project, The Greatest Gift, which evolved into the classic It's a Wonderful Life.

 

“Indigestion is caused by unhappiness. If you don't like the things the world makes you do...you're not hungry.

But if you smile and you're happy...

you enjoy life… you're hungry all the time.” —Aloysius "Mac" McKeever

 

Initially meant for Christmas, based on its production timing and holiday-themed ending, the movie was somehow delayed and came out at Easter 1947 instead. Under Roy Del Ruth's direction, the film masterfully blends festive spirit with love stories, while addressing social inequalities and delivering memorable comedic moments through both dialogue and action.

The relationship between McKeever and O'Connor is what truly makes this film special. While McKeever maintains a carefree attitude about everything, even casually wearing O'Connor's clothes and sharing life wisdom, O'Connor remains constantly agitated and bewildered by the situation. Among all the performances, Ruggles' portrayal stands out as my favorite.

One especially amusing sequence occurs during Trudy and Jim's restaurant scene. While they attempt to have a serious discussion about Jim's potential move to Bolivia (orchestrated by O'Connor's schemes), the scene is delightfully derailed by an unstable table that won't stop wobbling. The frustrated waiter's futile attempts to fix it perfectly exemplify the film's signature style: meaningful moments consistently interrupted by comedic chaos.

 

 

 

 

The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Original Story, but lost to the holiday favorite, Miracle on 34th Street. One of its songs, "That's What Christmas Means to Me," later became a minor success when recorded by Eddie Fisher in 1952. Allied Artists' debut did faced certain challenges. Gale Storm, expressed regret that Frank Capra hadn't directed It Happened on Fifth Avenue.  Storm felt that Director Roy Del Ruth didn't fully realize the story's possibilities. She was also disappointed that Del Ruth wouldn't let her perform the songs, despite her singing background, as he believed actors shouldn't sing.

"Del Ruth's difficult behavior wasn't limited to me," Storm explained. "Victor Moore was a beloved, kind-hearted gentleman who treated everyone well, and we all adored him. Everyone except Del Ruth. He made Victor repeat every scene multiple times, never explaining what needed improvement."

 

                            Mac raises his glass to the New Year!  

 

I found the movie to be a delightful mix of holiday classics like A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, and It's a Wonderful Life, which gave it a special charm all its own. Though it may not have the signature "Capra Touch," the movie was well-received by audiences and did well at the box office. I loved how the film skillfully blended elements from beloved holiday movies, showcasing the heartwarming themes of kindness, love, friendship and community during the festive season. I highly recommend it for its laughter, clever dialogue, and lovable characters that make it a joy to watch.