It Happened on 5th Avenue

Overview

A Christmastime TV perennial, It Happened on Fifth Avenue is a sentimental yarn starring Victor Moore as a genial hobo. Moore's usual wintertime modus operandus is to sneak into the town house of a wealthy family that always leaves New York for their Florida home at Christmas. Taking over the deserted mansion, Moore turns the place into a haven for his fellow tramps. One winter, however, the real homeowner's daughter (Gale Storm), having quarrelled with her boyfriend, returns unexpectedly. Informed of Moore's "invasion," the girl's father visits the mansion disguised as a hobo just to see what's going on. The warmhearted nature of Moore's indigent pals regenerates the unhappy wealthy family, and everyone succumbs to the true spirit of Christmas.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/11/2008
UPC:	0012569422926
Original Release:	1947
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:55:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Victor Moore	Aloysius T. McKeever
Charlie Ruggles	Michael J. "Mike" O'Connor,Actor
Gale Storm	Trudy O'Connor
Don DeFore	Jim Bullock
Ann Harding	Mary O'Connor
Grant Mitchell	Farrow,Executive
Edward Brophy	Felton,Felton
Cathy Carter	Alice
Edward Ryan	Hank
Dorothea Kent	Margie
Arthur Hohl	Brady
Anthony Sydes	Jackie Temple
Linda Lee Solomon	Baby
Alan Hale Jr.	Whitey
Garry Owen	Detective
George Lloyd	Foreman
George Meader	Music Store Manager
John Hamilton	Harper
Johnny Arthur	Apartment Manager
Chester Clute	Phillips
Rowland McCracken	Executive
William Kline	Executive
Al Fenney	Executive
Al Winters	Executive
Bert Howard	Executive
Jack George	Executive
Philip Kieffer	Executive
George Blagoi	Executive
Carl Leviness	Executive
Adolph Faylauer	Executive
W.J. O'Brien	Executive
Victor Travers	Executive
David Martell	Executive
Florence Auer	Miss Parker
Charles Lane	Landlord
James Cardwell	Young Man in Barracks
James Flavin	Cop
Edward Gargan	Cop
Max Willenz	Musician
Leon Belasco	Musician
Pat Goldin	Waiter
Eddie Marr	Spieler
Dudley Dickerson	Chauffeur
Abe Reynolds	Finklehoffe
Jean Andren	Secretary
Alan Hale	Whitey
James B. Cardwell	Young Man in Barracks
The King's Men	Actor
Edward Ward	Composer

Technical Credits

Everett Freeman

Roy Del Ruth	Director,Producer
Everett Freeman	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

There are some viewers who rank It Happened on 5th Avenue right up there with It's a Wonderful Life in the Christmas film sweepstakes. Certainly, 5th Avenue is an appealingly sentimental, sweetly comic little film that has a very good deal of charm. However, as a film, Wonderful Life is simply much better done. There's a little bit of sloppiness in the writing of 5th Avenue, the premise -- because it is not an out-and-out fantasy as Wonderful Life is -- presents some credibility problems, and the dramatic stakes in 5th Avenue are nowhere near as high as in the Capra classic. All of that being said, it's hard to watch 5th Avenue without feeling quite touch and very well entertained. There's plenty of hokum in it, but it's so good natured and well intentioned that most people will give in to it. Plus, it boasts a really lovely performance from wonderful Victor Moore and a truly fine one from Charlie Ruggles. If Don DeFore and Gale Storm are only so-so, and if Ann Harding isn't given enough to do, these little flaws don't mar 5th Avenue's appeal. Viewers unfamiliar with the film should seek it out during the holiday season and see if they are susceptible to its charms.