From left to right, actors John Payne as Fred Gailey, Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle in the film “Miracle on 34th Street.” (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) ...

Though Miracle on 34th Street is a beloved movie now, Wilson remembers it wasn’t well-received when it was released, in part, she thinks, because people didn’t accept remakes.

From left to right, actors John Payne as Fred Gailey, Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, and Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle in the film “Miracle on 34th Street.” (Silver Screen Collection/Getty ...