George Seaton's film is a holiday classic that has stood the test of time. His ability to keep the rhythm of the film up is one predominant reason. The tone of the film allows for Kris Kringle's character to be constantly met with conflict wherever he goes. Case in point is when Kringle meets a store owner setting up a display window with Santa and his reindeer. Kringle points out to the man that he has the order of the reindeer incorrect and does so with great glee while the man just thinks the old man to be out of his mind.
This carries over to Kringle's employment at Macy's where he asked to "fill in" for Santa Claus this year. Doris has put him in this position, but once she discovers he actually believes he's Santa she sends her daughter Susan out of the room in order to speak with Kris and tell him the old Santa has returned. Seaton also creates good humor in the film. An example being the courtroom scene where the judge asks for the evidence to be placed right on his desk. He doesn't know what he's getting himself into as the bailiffs bring bags full of letters addressed to Santa Claus forming a mountain of letters he is hidden behind. Through this letter mountain, the judge dismisses the charges and Kris goes free.
Seaton plays on the sentimental nature of the narrative which allows for this Christmas spirit to take center stage. Kris' cane at the home Susan runs in is an example of this as Fred and Doris believe that it's just a coincidence until they see their friend's cane sitting in the home. It is that fine line of disbelief and wanting to believe that allow this film to spring forth through the characters as their journey to believe becomes that of the audience as well.
