The Bishop's Wife (1947)

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.

I watched this movie on Christmas with a bunch of people who thought it was great, so apparently there are people for whom this odd mix of romance and religion works, but this movie doesn't connect with me at all.Cary Grant is quite good as a sly angel who comes to earth to help out a minister and his wife. He is, as usual, charming and likable. Loretta Young is okay as the rather bland wife, and David Niven is stuck playing a charmless minister who he can't do much with.The movie is full of moments that delighted my companions, like a cute ice-skating sequence and a choir performance, but for me these all felt like things that seemed like a good idea but that didn't effect me. The movie has clever ideas here and there, but it also has many moments of lead-footed religiosity, as when Grant tells a bible story to a small child while everyone else in the household watches, inexplicably rapt.For me, this movie has an *almost* quality. Grant is good, there are moments I like, and only a small percentage of scenes really grate on my nerves. I feel there is enough here that a good movie probably could have been built out of the pieces, but I've read that the movie went through rewrites already so perhaps this was ultimately as good as they could manage. Watchable, but that's about it.

The true spirit of the holiday season comes alive every time I see this movie. Even more so than "The Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life", this Christmas classic really touches me with the feeling that all is right in a world that sometimes seems so wrong. Confused adults need spiritual guidance, and that comes in the form of an angel, the dashing Cary Grant who focuses on an Episcopalian Bishop (David Niven), his lovely wife (Loretta Young), and various others whom he encounters on his visit to earth. Like other human beings, Niven wants something desperately for the holidays, and that is the funds to build a bigger cathedral which he can only do with the aide of wealthy widow Gladys Cooper, a domineering parishioner who holds the purse strings and has plenty of demands. Niven has no idea that his seemingly idealistic marriage is in deep trouble, and Grant's presence brings temptation into the wake of the season of giving.What could be truly schmaltzy ends up being totally charming, and that is due to the excellent screenplay, tight direction, beautiful photography and music, and the most outstanding cast assembled for a holiday film. In addition to the aforementioned stars are Monty Woolley as an eccentric friend of Young and Niven's (whom Grant claims he knows), James Gleason as a cynical cab driver who really gets into the spirit of Christmas thanks to Grant's presence, Elsa Lanchaster as a befuddled maid, and the sweet Karolyn Grimes as Niven and Young's daughter, an adorable little girl who truly represents the spirit of Christmas. Even the minor players have a thing or two to contribute to the touching story, among them Sara Haden and Regis Toomey, as well as a gaggle of gossipy old ladies who are instantly suspicious when they see Grant and Young together then become charmed and forget about their initial tongue wagging.There are so many small plot points in this which remain in the memory long after the film is over, including the story of old coins Woolley has which he thinks are worthless, a visit to a skating rink where even clumsy Gleason finds he can skate like Sonja Henie, and a snowball fight where young Grimes gets the last laugh. But ultimately, this is a film about the spirit of the holidays, and when Grant tells Karolyn the story of the first Christmas, it truly is touching. The imperious Cooper gives the old pro's try with her sometimes touching, mostly tough character really melting into a pile of mush when she meets Grant. Cary is a bit of a mischievous angel, as evidenced in a scene where Niven ends up sitting in a recently varnished chair at Cooper's mansion, and for a minute, it isn't clear what Grant's motives really are. But as fast as angels arrive, they leave, and they are only there long enough to do what they need to do.A modernized version of this ("The Preacher's Wife") kept the heart and soul of the original film and is also very much worth seeing. Whitney Houston's magnetic smile brought a light into the update, and is a reminder of how lovely Young could be when she simply played her role and didn't try to be too noble. The fact that her character is obviously attracted to Grant in spite of her moral fiber makes her much more human, and the fact that Niven is far from perfect even being a religious leader makes him extremely identifiable as well. Christmas movies may come out by the dozens now, but they really don't make em' like this anymore.

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.