The Bishop's Wife (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
In 1947's Christmas classic, 'The Bishop's Wife' (directed by Henry Koster), David Niven stars as Henry Brougham, a stressed Episcopalian bishop desperate for $$ to build a much-needed new cathedral. His marriage to Julia (Loretta Young) has been rocky as of late & his faith is shaken. But his prayers are answered with the arrival of a handsome, congenial angel named Dudley (Cary Grant), who uses his heavenly powers to solve the professional & marital problems of the Brougham household (including daughter Debby, Elsa Lanchester's jovial housekeeper, & he even helps an aging professor to regain his confidence as a writer).
The gimmick throughout the film is that the unsuspecting Julia does not know that Dudley is an angel, & she happily goes along for the fantasy ride with him (walking, shopping, lunches). Of course, as played by the always charismatic Cary Grant, it's easy for someone like Julie to fall for the charms of a 'Dudley'. I won't say whether or not the cathedral gets built, but in the end, we see that Dudley has done a job well (making everything right, distracting the bishop from his usual day-to-days so that he can see the error of his ways back at home). Dudley has shown the bishop the right way; bringing happiness & a little romance to his stale marriage.
Director Henry Koster sprinkles this sentimental holiday dramedy (based on Robert Nathan's popular 1928 novel) with warm, gentle touches. At times, the proceedings get a tad too verbose for my liking (especially near the end). But there are magical scenes everywhere. i.e., a fantastic figure skating scene in a park where Dudley makes himself, Julia, & their taxi driver appear to be world-class skaters. On the technical front, 'The Bishop's Wife' impresses, as well. The editing is smooth, the black-&-white photography is beautiful, the production design (elaborate Victorian homes, city streets, costumes) is immaculate, Hugo Friedhofer's musical score is lovely, & I was shocked by some great use of visual effects (snowballs, a Christmas tree, the playing of a harp).
Cary Grant is excellent as the good deeding, lesson-teaching angel. Funny enough, I found his most affecting moments to be in the very first scene when he's walking around the snowy village looking all about at the humans around him. Loretta Young is luminous as the neglected wife, Julia. As the preoccupied bishop, David Niven plays the perfect combination of agitation, skepticism & vulnerability. Gladys Cooper is as regal as ever as the distinguished lady who needs convincing to help fund the cathedral. Monty Woolley's professor is a welcomed presence. And character actor James Gleason entertained me as the friendly taxi driver. After having seen this film now, I understand its status - along with It's a Wonderful Life - as a perennial Christmas classic. The whole thing has an incandescent charm about it.
The gimmick throughout the film is that the unsuspecting Julia does not know that Dudley is an angel, & she happily goes along for the fantasy ride with him (walking, shopping, lunches). Of course, as played by the always charismatic Cary Grant, it's easy for someone like Julie to fall for the charms of a 'Dudley'. I won't say whether or not the cathedral gets built, but in the end, we see that Dudley has done a job well (making everything right, distracting the bishop from his usual day-to-days so that he can see the error of his ways back at home). Dudley has shown the bishop the right way; bringing happiness & a little romance to his stale marriage.
Director Henry Koster sprinkles this sentimental holiday dramedy (based on Robert Nathan's popular 1928 novel) with warm, gentle touches. At times, the proceedings get a tad too verbose for my liking (especially near the end). But there are magical scenes everywhere. i.e., a fantastic figure skating scene in a park where Dudley makes himself, Julia, & their taxi driver appear to be world-class skaters. On the technical front, 'The Bishop's Wife' impresses, as well. The editing is smooth, the black-&-white photography is beautiful, the production design (elaborate Victorian homes, city streets, costumes) is immaculate, Hugo Friedhofer's musical score is lovely, & I was shocked by some great use of visual effects (snowballs, a Christmas tree, the playing of a harp).
Cary Grant is excellent as the good deeding, lesson-teaching angel. Funny enough, I found his most affecting moments to be in the very first scene when he's walking around the snowy village looking all about at the humans around him. Loretta Young is luminous as the neglected wife, Julia. As the preoccupied bishop, David Niven plays the perfect combination of agitation, skepticism & vulnerability. Gladys Cooper is as regal as ever as the distinguished lady who needs convincing to help fund the cathedral. Monty Woolley's professor is a welcomed presence. And character actor James Gleason entertained me as the friendly taxi driver. After having seen this film now, I understand its status - along with It's a Wonderful Life - as a perennial Christmas classic. The whole thing has an incandescent charm about it.