The Bishop's Wife (1947)

Director:

Henry Koster

Writers:

Leonardo Bercovici (writer)
Robert Nathan (book)

Release Date:

16 February 1948 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Plot:

A bishop trying to get a new cathedral built prays for guidance. An angel (Cary Grant) arrives, but his guidance isn't about fundraising.

Plot Keywords:

Bishop | Angel | Christmas | Ice Skating | Benefactor

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Cary Grant	...	Dudley
Loretta Young	...	Julia Brougham
David Niven	...	Bishop Henry Brougham
Monty Woolley	...	Prof. Wutheridge
James Gleason	...	Sylvester
Gladys Cooper	...	Mrs. Hamilton
Elsa Lanchester	...	Matilda
Sara Haden	...	Mildred Cassaway
Karolyn Grimes	...	Debby Brougham
Tito Vuolo	...	Maggenti
Regis Toomey	...	Mr. Miller
Sarah Edwards	...	Mrs. Duffy
Margaret McWade	...	Miss Trumbull
Anne O'Neal	...	Mrs. Ward
Ben Erway	...	Mr. Perry

Also Known As:

Jede Frau braucht einen Engel (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
La mujer del obispo (Argentina) (Spain) [es]
Ängel på prov (Sweden) [sv]
Biskoppens kone (Denmark) [da]
Enas angelos sti gi (Greece) [el]
Engel sind überall (West Germany) [de]
Honni soit qui mal y pense (France) [fr]
La esposa del obispo (Venezuela) [es]
La moglie del vescovo (Italy) [it]
Piispan vaimo (Finland) [fi]
Um Anjo Caiu do Céu (Brazil) [pt]

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Canada:G (Ontario) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | UK:U

Company:

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Trivia:

William A. Seiter was the original director, but producer Samuel Goldwyn didn't like what he had shot and brought in Henry Koster to shoot a completely new film. The preview audience didn't like the new version, so Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett had to rewrite a couple of scenes without screen credit.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Obvious stunt double when Dudley shows Julia how he can spin on the ice; he appears shorter.

Quotes:

Henry Brougham: Are you expecting a letter?
Dudley: Well, you never know. If I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Christmas Movie Quiz (2007) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Lost April

One of the top 3 best Christmas movies of all time.

I discovered this wonderful movie quite by accident. It was Christmas time many years ago, late at night, I was cruising the channels one last time before retiring for the night. when I saw Cary Grant's face flash on the screen. I had to pause my frenzied surfing. Cary is one of my all time favorite movie stars. Fortunately the movie was just beginning, so I sat back to watch, and was treated to a wonderful Christmas surprise.

Cary is at his wide screen best. All of his charm, wit, and charisma. Endowed by heavenly powers, he bestows his angelic persona upon a small town bishop who is overwhelmed by his mis-guided quest to build a magnificent "earthly" cathedral to glorify God. In frustration at the difficulty in building this false edification to God, he prays to God for guidance. The bishop's prayers are answered in the form of "Dudley", as Cary's angelic character in called.

Dudley proceeds to weave a benign spell over a whole cast of wonderful characters to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas. This charming Christmas fantasy truly warms the hart and kindles the soul.

David Nivin plays the perfect foil for Cary's assignment of "answering the bishop's prayers". Loretta Young's charming demeanor as the bishops devoted, but neglected wife, distracts Cary("Dudley")from his primary mission, and leads the audience on a heart warming journey through small town America at mid 20th century, during a memorable Christmas season.

My young son saw this movie for the first time when he was nine years old. It has become his favorite Christmas movie. He even requested to watch it last summer at age 12. I recommend this film for the whole Family. Put a fire in the fire place, light the scented candles, cuddle up with your love ones, and have a Merry "Cary" Christmas.