HotToastyRag In their fifth onscreen pairing, real-life friends David Niven and Loretta Young play husband and wife. He's the bishop, and she's The Bishop's Wife. Niven wants to build a cathedral, but in doing so, he's losing sight of his old ideals. He prays for help, and help is granted, though not in the form he wanted. Cary Grant, an angel, is sent down to Earth, but is he there to help ensure the cathedral is built, or is he trying to remind Niven of what's really important?It's easy to see why The Bishop's Wife is a Christmas classic in most households. The story is interesting, the acting is good, Hugo Friedhofer's music is delightful, and Robert E. Sherwood's and Leonardo Bercovici's script is memorable and wise. I often wondered why the film, and original novel, was entitled The Bishop's Wife, instead of perhaps The Bishop's Visit or even The Bishop's Cathedral. After watching it for probably the twenty-fifth time, I finally understood the title, and the true meaning of the story-just one of the reasons why this classic is so wonderful. Learning something new from the film after 25 viewings is incredible. I won't tell you my take on the story, because it's the type of story that could speak to everyone differently, but the next time you watch it, try really focusing on Cary Grant's purpose. The famous trivia from this movie is that the original male casting was reversed. David Niven was supposed to be the angel, and Cary Grant the bishop. Since I absolutely love The Niv, I think the original casting would have been fine; he would have been as charming and attractive as the angel role required. After all, I fell in love with David Niven in this movie! "Have a chair," Agnes Moorhead offers. "Thank you, I . . . have one," he answers with perfect British comic timing. That was it-my heart was his!I recently bought Robert Nathan's original novel, and after forcing myself through the very depressing, extremely different story, I was filled with even more admiration for the film! I know I'm not heaping quite enough praise on this movie, so I'll try to compliment it some more. In the book, the characters are completely different, and frankly, not who you'd want to waste your time caring about up on the big screen. Sherwood and Bercovici's adaptation of the very difficult novel is incredible. Agnes Moorhead's character, whom some would argue is the most important part of the movie, isn't even in the book! Monty Woolley's character only talks philosophy and history with the angel; he isn't given any other dimensions to his character. In the film, he banters with an old friend, accepts religion in others even though he has none of his own, describes his regret over losing the love of his life, and bolsters the bishop when needed. Some would argue he has the most important role in the film. The character of the angel is also completely different. Can you imagine Cary Grant moping around for two hours, losing his faith and depressing everyone around him? Of course not; it's Cary Grant! He's supposed to put people at ease instantly and make their burdens lighter. His famous smile plays an integral role in the movie, making the story better than Robert Nathan intended. The title character is the only one who's relatively similar to the story; Loretta Young has moments of unexplained depression and disappointment in her life because she either read the original novel or was told to act that way by someone who had. I don't understand how she could be unhappy being married to The Niv, but that's just me. And finally, the bishop. In the novel, he's barely in the story! He's cold and consumed by his work and barely talks to anyone. Bercovici wrote David Niven a wonderful and meaty part, one he plays wonderfully. No one can act out "I'm so frazzled I can't take it anymore!" like David Niven can. On the other side of his face is deep sorrow, one that isn't explained in the film but can be imagined by the audience. Perhaps his character was disappointed by aspects of his life, perhaps he inserted unwritten frustrations to back up his character's inner crisis, or perhaps he was completely unaware of that element of his performance. In real life, he'd just suffered a terrible tragedy, so it's possible his own sadness subconsciously added to his onscreen character.The Bishop's Wife holds a special place in my family's Christmas tradition, and not just an annual viewing of the film. David Niven gives a Christmas sermon, and he talks about the true spirit of the season, reminding his listeners that as they hang up everyone's stocking, there's one stocking that remains unhung. At our house, because of that speech, we hang up an extra stocking every year. Just another thing to think about as you watch this delightful Christmas staple, with a supporting cast of James Gleason, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Haden, Robert Keith, and two children also seen in It's a Wonderful Life, Bobby Anderson and Karolyn Grimes.

inspectors71 I'm lying on the Motel 6 bed. Middle of the night, and the TV had been left on TMC. It's 11 below outside, so half the room is a meat locker. Wife is snoring. I'm shivering because I came down with a cold, mistook it for allergies, and got a flu shot at Walmart while building up a good case of snotty pressure in my head. So, I'm cold. I'm in a Motel 6. I'm awake at three in the morning. And I see what's on the tube. The Bishop's Wife, with Cary Grant and David Niven and Loretta Young. I'm thinking that I've seen this movie before, maybe in the last two or three years. All I remember is that Young looked too movie-star, Cary Grant didn't seem like an angel, and David Niven was unpleasant enough for me to give up on his character. That's it. Not much of a recommendation, huh?But you have to cut me some slack--I gawd a code id by doze.

Kirpianuscus one of films contemporary with the public from each generation. because it is more tan a classic, a good film, a lovely story or work of brilliant actors and inspired director. it is a gift. because its magic power of seduction covers the values who are transmitted decade by decade. sure, Loretta Young, David Niven, especially Cary Grant are masters of a perfect show who mix faith , family, love, need to discover the other in profound manner and to define yourself to you. but not only the scene of dance on ice, the dialogues or the atmosphere are important in its case. the magic is result of a wise science to propose a lesson . a simple one. about feelings, needs and happiness. the recipes is the same in each period. this small details is the obstacle to define it as Christmas movie. and to see it. again and again.

Howard Schumann The years following World War II brought an influx of angels (or Heavenly Conductors) to the movie screen in films such as Stairway to Heaven, It's a Wonderful Life, and the 1947 The Bishop's Wife starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. Though it is hardly a perennial Christmas favorite in the same league as Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life, The Bishop's Wife has its advocates and is generally considered one of the best Christmas films for a general audience. Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, original score, and film editing, the only Oscar the film won, however, was that for Best Sound and the performances by Grant, Young, and Niven, considered to be among their best, were overlooked.In the film, Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) asks for divine guidance to help raise the money to build a cathedral, a project to which he is so single-minded about that his values, marriage, and family are put in jeopardy. The answer to his prayer comes in the form of the angel Dudley (well, I guess it's a better name for an angel than Clarence). This particular angel (Cary Grant) is rather handsome and charming and takes particular notice of Henry's wife Julia (Loretta Young) who is under the impression that he is Henry's new assistant. Daughter Debby (Karolyn Grimes) is also not immune to his charms. The bishop also feels that this angel has picked up some rather strange tendencies and has become quite jealous of the time he is spending with his wife, though Julia seems (or pretends to be) oblivious to his "angelic" qualities.Dudley's heart is in the right place, however, and he steers the dour Henry towards the values that are most important in life and in the process transforms everyone whose lives he touches. These include the guilt-ridden dowager Agnes Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), Monte Wooley as a skeptical History professor who has given up writing a book about Roman history because he doesn't think anyone will read it, and James Gleason as Sylvester, a cynical taxi driver who rediscovers that life has some pleasures. He even brings the flirty housekeeper (Elsa Lanchester) back to life. The film has some memorable set pieces that are worth the price of admission by themselves.Dudley, Julia, and Sylvester performing a sparkling skating routine (with the help of professional doubles), Sherry glasses that keep filling up by themselves, Dudley miraculously rounding up a group of forgetful boys to perform the beautiful hymn O Sing to God (Noel) by Gounod at St. Timothy's church, and Dudley "finding" a harp to play in Agnes' living room.The Bishop's Wife has a good message, brilliant performances especially from Cary Grant, and a joyous feel to it, though it is somewhat dampened by the humorless and aloof Henry who doesn't seem to get the message of humility and love that Dudley is trying to convey (well, at least not right away). In essence, however, The Bishop's Wife is a beautiful film that is done with a minimum of sap and should be seen more often. At least you don't have to wonder whether or not Dudley will get his wings.