Claim: Natalie Wood acted in films.

Miracle on 34th Street -LRB- initially released in the United Kingdom as The Big Heart -RRB- is a 1947 Christmas comedy-drama film written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by Valentine Davies . It stars Maureen O'Hara , John Payne , Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn . The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City , and focuses on the impact of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa . The film has become a perennial Christmas favorite .   The film won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role -LRB- Edmund Gwenn -RRB- , Best Writing , Original Story -LRB- Valentine Davies -RRB- and Best Writing , Screenplay . It was also nominated for Best Picture , losing to Gentleman 's Agreement . In 2005 , the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being `` culturally , historically or aesthetically significant '' . The Academy Film Archive preserved Miracle on 34th Street in 2009 .   Davies also penned a short novelization of the tale , which was published by Harcourt Brace simultaneously with the film 's release .