The Bishop's Wife

"The main trouble is there are too many people who don't know where they're going and they want to get there too fast!"

Bishop Henry Brougham (Niven) is struggling.  He is trying to build a new cathedral, dealing with the demands of the wealthy parishioners, and slowly losing connection with his family.  He prays for guidance and is visited by Dudley (Grant) an angel.  Dudley says he was sent to help and poses as Henry's assistant.

Henry's wife, Julia (Young), is unhappy.  She longs for their old life, before Henry became a bishop.  Debby (Grimes), their daughter, misses time with her father.  Henry has left his old friends behind, in his quest to find funding for the cathedral.

Dudley charms everyone around him and finds ways to help everyone he meets.  He is also fascinated by Julia and finds reasons to work with her, which annoys Henry.  Can Dudley bring the Brougham family together in time for Christmas?

The story is based on the 1928 novel "The Bishop's Wife" by Robert Nathan.

The Good:

Cary Grant is charming as Dudley.  He has an effortless charm and ease in the film.  David Niven is skeptical and cynical, but you do want him to succeed.  He also gets to do some physical comedy.  Loretta Young is also endearing as Julia.  The rest of the cast is great.  There is a joy to the film, especially in the little moments that you catch upon repeat viewings.  The skating scene is a standout.

The Bad:

The story drags a bit in places.

Other Comments:

-The film was remade in 1996 as The Preacher's Wife with Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance.

-The story takes place shortly before Christmas, leading up to Christmas Eve.  The film is considered a Christmas classic.

-The film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Music.  It only won for Best Sound (Gordon E. Sawyer).

-The film was nominated for 2 American Film Institute (AFI) lists: 100 Years... 100 Passions and 100 Years... 100 Cheers.

-The boys in the choir are played by the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir.

-I thoroughly enjoyed this film and plan to add it to my annual Christmas movie watchlist.

The Bishop's Wife (1947) 109 minutes

Director: Henry Koster
Starring: Cary Grant as Dudley

Lorreta Young as Julia Brougham

David Niven as Bishop Henry Brougham

Monty Woolley as Professor Wutheridge

James Gleason as Sylvester

Gladys Cooper as Mrs. Agnes Hamilton

Elsa Lanchester as Matilda

Sara Haden as Mildred Cassaway

Karolyn Grimes as Debby Brougham