Hi Chip and David

I had access to the legal files for the film on the Fox lot when I was doing research on the film and my book about Macy's history.   Sadly the film's shooting chedule for the 22 days they filmed in NYC during late Nov and Dec 1946 was not to be found.  The shooting schedule exists from right after New Years 1947 to the wrap of the filming in Feb 1947 and was in the files.   Letters discuss gathering the proper documents for the scenes when Kris was to be put through the sanity hearing etc - one document was interesting was when Kris and Alfred go up the elevator to the court room there was going to be scenes with the elevator operator - they paid him a fee and when they were going to get his release for his okay to use the scenes in the film he claimed they never paid him and he was going to try to get more money from the studio - the reply to the situation was cut the scene as not to show him in the film.  Although you do the a elevator op in the scene briefly we don't know if the situation was resolved or if it was someone else as the evelavator op.

The scenes that depict the parade at the start of the filming were shot all Thanksgiving morning before the parade - the store's execs told the crew they needed to get the scenes quickly and done right because the parade could not be stopped and re-marched - so when watching the film you need to marvel how everything fell into place and how talented the actors and crew were to get it so perfect the only chance they had!  Fox postioned 14 cameras along the route that morning - only brief scenes of the parade made the final cut - we are trying to see if any other footage exists of that morning! 

Sadly to date I have not been able to locate the building used for Brooks Memorial Home and if it even existed.

Yes, that scene in The Best Years Of Our Lives is one of the many where I always get choked up. It was superbly played by the wonderful character actor Roman Bohnen, who was also a renowned stage actor and a member of Lee Strasberg’s Group Theater in New York. The actors in The Group Theater were pioneers of the acting style that later would become known as "The Method." Sadly, he was one of the many actors who were unfairly and unjustly blacklisted by the House Un-American activities committee. It is widely believed that the stress brought on by that blacklisting led to his premature death of a heart attack in 1949. By the way, that scene in the movie also featured another great character actor, Gladys George.

Two other very poignant moments in the film are Homer and Al’s homecoming. With Homer, it’s when he waves goodbye to Al and Fred and his mother chokes up when she sees for the first time the hooks that have replaced his missing hands. With Al, it’s when his wife (played by the great Myrna Loy) asks her daughter (played by the equally great Teresa Wright) who is it at the door, and when she doesn’t get an answer, it’s that moment when she freezes as it dawns on her that it might finally be Al. Then, of course, that ensuing moment when she enters the hallway and stops as sees him at the front door -- and after a pregnant pause -- that long, beautiful and emotional embrace they share as the kids watch with heartfelt joy.

This movie boasted one of the all-time greatest casts ever assembled for any Hollywood film. Besides the aforementioned Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Roman Bohnen and Gladys George, there was the great Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Hoagy Carmichael, Cathy O’Donnell, Virginia Mayo and the outstanding film debut of Harold Russell. Rounding out this exquisite cast were great character actors including Ray Collins, Erskine Sanford, Ray Teal, Steve Cochran, Don Beddoe and Dorothy Adams. And of course behind the camera there was the legendary producer Samuel Goldwyn, the legendary director William Wyler and the legendary cinematographer Gregg Toland. And I would be remiss not to mention the great screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood and the spectacular original music by Hugo Friedhofer. It was also marvelously edited by Daniel Mandell. For all these reasons and many others -- not to mention its 7 Academy awards including Best Picture, it is why in my opinion -- and many other folks I might add -- The Best Years Of Our Lives was indeed the best film of all-time.

Max,

I spoke with Mr. Greenman tonight, and while he deeply appreciates your interest in speaking with him, as well as the offer to get him involved in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, he respectfully declined. He said he stopped doing interviews and making public appearances several years ago, not long after his wife died. In his retirement, he limits his work with Hollywood to his activities with the SAG (Screen Actors Guild). He did, however, want me to wish you much success with your books about Macy's and the history of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. He also wanted me to let everyone know that he is deeply gratified that so many people today still enjoy his portrayal of Alfred in the movie Miracle On 34th Street -- a movie that when he made it almost 63 years ago, never imagined it would be remembered -- let alone celebrated -- as the classic it is today.