It Happened on 5th Avenue

Released Apr 19, 1947

1h 55m

Holiday

Comedy

List

Reviews

80%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

While rich businessman Mike O'Connor (Charles Ruggles) resides in Virginia, his luxury townhouse in New York City appears vacant. However, in reality, drifter Aloysius "Mac" McKeever (Victor Moore) has been staying there. Mac invites Jim (Don DeFore), an unemployed veteran who has just been evicted from a building owned by O'Connor, to stay at the house without revealing he's squatting. When O'Connor's daughter, Trudy (Gale Storm), shows up as well, she falls for Jim and tries to help him.

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James Agee

TIME Magazine

In the long run the sour millionaire is sweetened up, all disguises are cast off, and everybody is happy, including the audience.

Mar 2, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Lightweight box office hit.

Rated: B-

Dec 24, 2021

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Jack Moffitt

Esquire Magazine

There's nothing very original about either the theme or the plot. The idea of a poor man being rich in all-that-matters is as old as is the notion that rich men can be spiritually poor. Yet Del Ruth blends these clichés into a minor masterpiece.

Oct 7, 2020

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David Cornelius

DVDTalk.com

Ruggles and Moore steal the show with their buoyant performances.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 11, 2008

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Steve D

I didn't find it the least bit amusing.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

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Joel H

I saw It Happened on 5th Avenue on a list of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, so I figured it was worth a watch. It definitely has its charms. Victor Moore, in particular, captures your attention no matter what scene he's in. But no matter how charming the vagrants in this movie are, I couldn't get past the fact that they were squatting in someone else's house and we were supposed to be completely on their side. It Happened on 5th Avenue is fine, but if you're going to choose a Christmas film from 1947 that has a road name in its title, I'd recommend watching Miracle on 34th Street instead.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

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Mike F

Multiple plot dynamics keep this movie interesting all the way through. Ultimately the lead story is how an obnoxiously rich man learns to respect and appreciate those without means, including a bunch of squatters who use his penthouse.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

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Tony G

What a friggin shame this classic was not in your 100 Christmas movies. I feel this is by far better than most of your noted movies. Sadly, most people have never heard of this movie, thankfully TMC plays it. Wonderful, fun, full of colorful characters and simply a joy to view!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Blobbo X

A seeming attempt to duplicate The Devil and Miss Jones but the casting is all wrong. Especially Don DeFore (aka "Mr B" from tv show Hazel) who has no detectable charisma as the lead guy and "Love interest"(??) of Gale Storm. (!!!???) Still, with a different cast and director this might have been a Christmas classic. Maybe it's time for a remake. >wink wink, nudge nudge<

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

donna s

This is the best Christmas movie ever made

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Roy Del Ruth

Director

Don DeFore

Jim Bullock

Ann Harding

Mary O'Connor

Victor Moore

Aloysius T. McKeever

Charlie Ruggles

Mike O'Connor

Gale Storm

Trudy O'Connor

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Synopsis

While rich businessman Mike O'Connor (Charles Ruggles) resides in Virginia, his luxury townhouse in New York City appears vacant. However, in reality, drifter Aloysius "Mac" McKeever (Victor Moore) has been staying there. Mac invites Jim (Don DeFore), an unemployed veteran who has just been evicted from a building owned by O'Connor, to stay at the house without revealing he's squatting. When O'Connor's daughter, Trudy (Gale Storm), shows up as well, she falls for Jim and tries to help him.

Director: Roy Del Ruth
Producer: Roy Del Ruth
Screenwriter: Herbert Clyde Lewis, Frederick Stephani, Everett Freeman
Distributor: Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co: Roy Del Ruth Productions
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 1947, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 1, 2010
Runtime: 1h 55m

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