Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 1 Timothy 6:18-19
“It’s Happened on Fifth Avenue” is a wonderful family Christmas movie. I love the story line, a poor homeless man spends every winter in a mansion on 5th Avenue while the owners are vacationing in Palm Beach! It was released the same year as “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “The Bishops Wife.” “It’s a Wonderful Life” was still playing in theaters from the year before, so it seems like “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” must have gotten lost in the shuffle. It was pulled from the shelves and put in a vault for twenty years! A group of fans encouraged a rerelease and this wonderful movie has been seeing success ever since. Don’t be surprised if you haven’t seen it, but look for it on television and Amazon Prime, you’ll be glad you did!
Ann Harding, the mother figure in the movie was one of my favorite characters. She was one of the first actresses to cross over from silent movies to talkies! If you watch her carefully, you can see her posing and emoting like a silent picture star. I loved it! The first time you see her, she is dressed up in the gorgeous clothes of a rich woman; later in the movie they have her dressed as a poor woman, in a dowdy dress and apron. She does an amazing job as both. Ann had a talent that easily translated from silent films to talkies…now that’s talent!!!
Gale Storm plays the rebellious daughter. She is unhappy that her parents are having marital problems and have shipped her off to boarding school. Gale is a vivacious character, bull of optimism and cheer. The character Gale plays is very similar to the characters she played in her television show “My Little Margie!” Gale is originally from South Texas, so she holds a special place in my heart. (South Texas girls forever!)
Don DeFore is the great love interest! He has just gotten home from the war and is looking for a place to live…guess where he ends up! In case he looks really familiar, Don played the neighbor in “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and was Mr Baxter in the sitcom, “Hazel.” He is the perfect leading man in “It Happened on Fifth Avenue!”
Keep you eye out for Alan Hale Jr. The Skipper from “Gilligan’s Island”. may not play a major role in the movie, but he is still a ton of fun to watch!
Movies like “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” are movies that you can share with your whole family. You don’t have to worry about questionable language or content. While I know that life wasn’t as easy as it seems in the movie; it was portrayed in such a way that I would really like to visit for a while.