Check out this big-screen ‘Miracle’ on Sunday

Never have four words sounded more frightening: Eleven days until Christmas. The good news? I have 10 days left to do my shopping.

That is, of course, after I take in the special Turner Classic Movies big-screen showing of one of the most treasured Christmas movies of all time, the 1947 production of "Miracle on 34th Street" (not the 1973 or 1994 remakes). The movie will be showing at 2 and 7 p.m. at Regal Cinemas' Northtown Mall and Coeur d'Alene Riverstone Stadium theaters.

Along with Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," Bob Clark's "A Christmas Story" and the various productions of "A Christmas Carol," "Miracle on 34th Street" gets trotted out every holiday season. And why not? There is something magical about Edmund Gwenn, playing a man who calls himself Kris Kringle, who gets hired as a Macy's Santa but then must defend himself in court because he keeps claiming that … well, that he is the real Santa.

Besides Gwenn, look for the always dependable Maureen O'Hara and a 9-year-old Natalie Wood. Interesting side note: The film was originally released in May because 20th Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck thought that, according to Wikipedia, "more people went to the movies in the summer."

Whatever the truth of that at the time (Zanuck would eventually be proven true), the first reviews were mostly good — and have remained so over time:

Bosley Crowther, the New York Times: "(L)et's catch its spirit and heartily proclaim that it is the freshest little picture in a long time, and maybe even the best comedy of this year."

TV Guide: "(Edmund) Gwenn won an Oscar for his role, and for many, his charming, endearing performance has been identified with the spirit of the Christmas season ever since the completion of this sentimental production."

Kate Cameron, New York Daily News: "It is light, it is charming, it is delightfully funny and completely captivating. It is all that, and something more. It has an undefinable spiritual quality that raises the spirits of the beholder into a happy, hopeful mood."

Anyway, seeing such a movie classic is a good way to start off the holiday season. Then you can resume shopping.

Below: Check out the trailer for the original 1947 version of "Miracle on 34th Street."