The Bishop’s Wife
Directed by Henry Koster
Written by Robert E. Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici from a novel by Robert Nathan
1947/USA
The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Henry Brougham: I was praying for a cathedral.
Dudley: No, Henry. You were praying for guidance.[/box]
A magical Christmas movie viewed out of season.
Newly appointed Episcopal Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) is obsessed with building a new cathedral in his bishopric. As such, he is totally immersed in fundraising. He is also grappling with a key donor (Gladys Cooper) whose idea of a cathedral is as one large monument to her deceased husband. All these things mean Henry has been sorely neglecting his loving wife Julia (Loretta Young) and daughter Debby.
Julia misses their old life at the parish of St. Timothy’s and their real friends such as agnostic Professor Wutheridge (Monty Woolley). But Henry’s stress levels are such that even Julia’s considerable charms cannot get him to participate in the Christmas holiday or to take a break even for meals. It looks like their marriage is falling apart. This and yet another setback cause Henry to send up a heartfelt prayer for help.
This is answered in the form of Dudley (Cary Grant), an angel without wings who signs on as Henry’s assistant. But Dudley’s assistance mostly takes the form of giving Julia the attention and fun she craves. He also captivates daughter Debby and housekeeper Mrs. Hamilton (Elsa Lanchester). So Henry is none too pleased with Dudley’s work. By the end, though, we discover that you can’t always get what you want but, often enough, you get what you need.
The schmalz level of this movie is high but if one is in the correct frame of mind it can be completely endearing. It’s funny no one thought of casting Grant as an angel before this as he is perfect in every way – suave, handsome, romantic, and witty. There is a scene when Grant ice skates with Loretta Young and in turn with James Gleason that is total movie magic. Grant and Niven make excellent foils.
The Bishop’s Wife won the Oscar for Best Sound, Recording. It was nominated in the categories of Best Picture; Best Director; Best Film Editing; and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Hugo Friedhofer).
The story was remade in 1996 as The Preacher’s Wife with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
Trailer
