Miracle On 34th Street Page #4

get that Santa Claus back!

The examination is worthless

without the patient.

It was just because

I felt we owed it to him...

but Mr. Macy suggested

that we find something else...

for the other Santa Claus

and keep you on by all means.

Oh, well, thanks.

That's mighty good news.

You'll be here

in the morning then?

Certainly I will.

Mrs. Walker, this is

quite an opportunity for me.

For the past 50 years or so...

I've been getting more

worried about Christmas.

Seems we're all so busy trying

to beat the other fellow...

in making things go faster,

look shinier, and cost less...

that Christmas and I are sort of

getting lost in the shuffle.

I don't think so.

Christmas is still Christmas.

Christmas isn't just a day.

It's a frame of mind.

That's what's been changing.

That's why I'm glad I'm here.

Maybe I can do something.

And I'm glad

I met you and your daughter.

You two are a test case for me.

We are?

Yes. You're sort of

the whole thing in miniature.

If I can win you over,

there's still hope.

If not,

then I guess I'm through.

But I'm warning you,

I don't give up easily.

Good night.

Good night.

Oh, Mr. Kringle,

first thing in the morning...

would you report

to Mr. Sawyer's office?

He'll give you

a little examination.

Oh, we do it

with all our employees.

A mental examination?

Well...

I don't mind.

I've taken dozens of them.

Never failed one yet.

Know them by heart.

- How many days in the week?

- Seven.

- How many fingers do you see?

- Four.

Muscular coordination test.

No damage

to the nervous system.

Who was the first president

of the United States?

George Washington.

Who was vice president

under John Quincy Adams?

Daniel D. Tompkins.

I'll bet your Mr. Sawyer

doesn't know that.

Good night.

Miss Adams, would you get me...

the Brooks' Memorial Home

in Great Neck?

It's a home for old people.

That's right.

I want to talk

to the doctor in charge.

- How many days in the week?

- Seven.

The first president

of the United States?

George Washington.

Three times five?

You asked me that before.

The answer's at the bottom...

I'm conducting this examination.

How much is three times five?

Same as before... 15.

You're rather nervous,

aren't you, Mr. Sawyer?

Do you get enough sleep?

My personal habits

are of no concern to you.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I hate to see someone tied up...

- How many fingers do you see?

- Three.

You bite your nails, too.

Tsk tsk tsk.

I want you to stand

with your feet together...

and your arms extended.

Then I want you to...

Muscular coordination test?

Surely. Be glad to. Ha ha.

Sometimes the cause

of nervous habits like yours...

is not obvious. No.

Often they're the result

of an insecurity.

Are you happy at home?

That will be all!

The examination's over.

You may go.

Thank you.

You may go out that way.

And it may

interest you to know...

that I've been happily

married for 26 years.

Really? Delighted to hear it.

Good-bye.

Get me Mrs. Walker.

Yes, sir. Your wife's on 672.

She says it's very important.

How many times have I told you

not to bother me at the office?

No. Not a penny.

I give you a liberal allowance.

It's up to you

to run the house on it.

If your stupid brother

would get a job...

you wouldn't have to

pester me all the time.

Mrs. Walker, I'd like to talk

to you about this Kringle.

Oh, yes. Dr. Pierce

from the Brooks' home is here.

It would be a good time

to settle the matter.

Sorry, Doctor,

but that was Mr. Sawyer...

the gentleman

I was telling you about.

He's just down the hall.

I can't tell you how

we appreciate your time.

Matter of fact,

I was going to call you today.

I had a feeling about now

you'd be wondering about Kris.

Dr. Pierce, Mr. Sawyer.

How do you do?

After giving this man

a comprehensive examination...

it's my opinion he should

be dismissed immediately.

Really? He failed

to pass the examination?

- Yes.

- He didn't answer correctly?

Yes, he did,

but he lacked concentration.

He kept changing the subject.

Even questioned me.

I don't think

there's any doubt about it.

He should be placed

in a mental institution.

I don't agree.

People are institutionalized...

to prevent them from

harming themselves or others.

Mr. Kringle

is incapable of either.

His is a delusion for good.

He only wants

to be friendly and helpful.

That's what I feel, too.

Thousands of people

have similar delusions...

living perfectly normal lives

in every other respect.

A famous example

is that fellow...

I can't think of his name.

For years, he's insisted

he's a Russian prince.

There's been much evidence

to prove him wrong...

but nothing

has shaken his story.

Is he in an institution?

No. He owns a famous restaurant

in Hollywood...

and is a highly

respected citizen.

I've made a great study

of abnormal psychology...

and I've found from experience

when a delusion is challenged...

the deluded

is apt to become violent.

I'll have to disagree

with you again.

If you tell Kris

there is no Santa Claus...

I grant he'll argue the point,

but he'll not become violent.

His whole manner

suggests aggressiveness!

Look how he carries that cane!

He's never without it.

I know Kris

always carries a cane...

but surely you're not implying

he'd use the cane as a weapon?

Mrs. Walker, naturally

I can't discharge this man.

That's up to you.

But you asked my opinion.

So when he exhibits his latent

maniacal tendencies...

which I assure you he will...

please realize

the responsibility is yours.

Speaking of delusions...

Now we're right back

where we started.

No, we're not.

After listening to Dr. Pierce,

I feel perfectly confident.

But if anything happens,

you won't get blamed. I will.

Nothing's going to happen.

Please don't feel what I've said

was prompted by affection.

My specialty is geriatrics.

Huh?

Treatment

of the diseases of old age.

I've had quite a bit

of experience...

and I assure you Kris has

no latent maniacal tendencies.

You'll want to discuss this

with Mr. Shellhammer...

so I'll be on my way.

May I see Kris?

Why, certainly, Doctor.

Use the employees' elevator.

It's much quicker.

The same one you came up on.

- Where is that?

- I'll show you.

That isn't necessary.

I'll find my way.

You understand

my position, Doctor.

If there's the slightest

possibility...

of him becoming violent

or getting into trouble...

What trouble could he get into?

All that's got to happen

is a policeman to ask his name.

A big argument.

Clang, clang! Bellevue!

You can prevent that

very simply.

If he could

stay with an employee...

they could ride

to and from work together.

I'd prefer he didn't take the

train to Great Neck twice a day.

That would solve everything.

They could steer him away

from trouble.

Sort of take custody of him.

Do you think

he'd agree to that?

I'll talk to him.

I'm sure he will.

In that case, he can stay.

Good. Thank you.

It's the seventh floor,

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