MovieChat Forums > Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Discussion > Mrs. Shellhammer Scene

Mrs. Shellhammer Scene

posted 9 years ago by MichaelMartinDeSapio
13 replies | jump to latest

What the heck was the point of the drunk Mrs. Shellhammer scene? I mean, I know they had to establish that Kringle would be staying with Fred, and I understand that Mr. Shellhammer gave her a triple strength martini to make her "more receptive to the idea" of hosting Kringle, but even so the way the scene was handled was so jarring. Mrs. Shellhammer was not an established character in the movie, so to suddenly show her drunk and acting foolishly seemed gratuitous and pointless.

[–] novastar_6 9 years ago

It was always funny to me.

[–] tmaj48 9 years ago

I thought she was simply chahhhh-ming.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

Hewwo.

[–] HalfBloodPrincess1967 8 years ago

It was meant for humor, I think she's funny.

AVADA KEDAVRA!!!

[–] NikolajCostas1005 8 years ago

It was funny but also it showed how Shellhammer was willing to sell out even his own wife for a financially-rooted cause.

See you in hell, candy boys!

[–] dexx-26415 7 years ago

Oh geez, it's just a joke

[–] FlushingCaps 8 years ago

The scene was totally played for laughs. Remember that lots of movies and TV shows up through the 60s frequently had characters designed to make us laugh at the things they said and did when drunk--Otis Campbell being the most famous example, along with the comedic routines of Foster Brooks next.

The two best parts were when she put the phone by her other (left) ear and for the second time, put the ear piece next to her mouth, then when she matter-of-factly stated, "We'd love to have Santa Claus stay with us!"

[–] muchmeow 7 years ago

I think it's absolutely hilarious!

[–] nocomputer1962 7 years ago

One of the best things about this movie is the way that peripheral characters were allowed to shine in individual scenes. I like the drunk Mrs. Schellhammer, just like I like the window designer who is lectured by Kris in the first scene, and the drunk santa who Kris replaces, and Thelma Ritter's bit as the harried mom, and William Frawley's speech about America's Santa-industrial complex, and Jack Albertson as the opportunistic postal worker, and, well, you get the idea.

[–] Kawada_Kira (7269) 6 years ago

I completely agree. This movie was excellent for side characters. I never thought about that before but you're right, that's one of the great things about it. I'd never put my finger on it until now.

[–] mvksmall 7 years ago

It's one of my favorite scenes in the movie!