LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22 -- 20th Century Fox announced Tuesday a money-back guarantee for all showings of its film 'Miracle on 34th Street' between Wednesday and Sunday. The updated remake of the 1947 classic posted a disappointing opening weekend with $2.8 million at 1,190 theaters to come in eighth place overall at the domestic box office.
The movie received an extensive ad campaign and was produced by John Hughes, producer of the 'Home Alone' films, but its target audience -- parents and children -- chose instead to see Paramount's 'Star Trek Generations' and Disney's 'The Santa Clause' and 'The Lion King.' Fox said the offer was a motion-picture first. 'If, for any reason, they are not delighted by the film, they may send in their ticket stubs and a self-addressed stamped envelope for a full refund to: 20th Century Fox, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90213, attn: Miracle.' 'This offer points to our confidence and faith in 'Miracle on 34th Street,'' said Bill Mechanic, president of the studio. 'We came to this idea after seeing how many movies there are in the marketplace; often when there are too many choices, people have a hard time making any decision at all.' Fox said Tuesday it is still planning to add theaters to the run Dec. 16. 'We believe 'Miracle' is the most satisfying picture out there, and this was our way of telling people that it is worth taking the time to see,' Mechanic said. 'Miracle on 34th Street,' starring Richard Attenborough in the Kriss Kringle role, received mostly mixed reviews. Most critics said the film did not measure up to the original, for which Edmund Gwenn won a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.
