The legitimacy of Santa Claus has always been in question. Say what you will about the man in the red suit, but there is something special about believing in the intangible, and no other film provides a better platform for being pro-Santa Claus than Miracle on 34th Street. The classic Christmas film plays this weekend at Yonge-Dundas Cineplex Theatres.

The 1947 flick is about a nice old gent named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gunn in an Oscar-winning role) who serves as a last-minute replacement for the Santa at the Macy’s toy-department in New York City (turns out the other Santa preferred booze over milk). It’s bad enough that Kringle thinks he’s the genuine St. Nick, but when he’s advising parents to buy their toys at other stores, he’s institutionalized as being insane. A young lawyer (John Payne) decides to defend Kringle by arguing he is the real deal.

The movie went on to win three Academy awards, including Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Picture. Look for appearances by a young Natalie Wood and William Frawley (who’s best known for his role as Fred on I Love Lucy).

The film also spawned two remakes, but nothing beats the original.

Miracle on 34th Street, Yonge and Dundas Cineplex, 10 Dundas St. E. 416-977-9262. Dec. 9, 12.