The Bishop's Wife
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Movie Reviews of The Bishop's Wife
Movie Review: Another Gregg Toland Visual Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
At last here is an angel who really has fun just doing his job. Dudley (Cary Grant) brings a subtle joy to his interventions and interactions. The enjoyment factor is what makes "The Bishop's Wife" special. This charming and seemingly simple film has been a Christmas holiday staple since its release in 1947.
But like "Groundhog Day", the surface simplicity is misleading, as this is an allegorical tale about the importance of getting outside ourselves and taking steps to escape ruts of our day-to-day lives; i.e. finding a better way of living. Dudley works a few minor heavenly miracles but his real power is as a cheerleader and personal guide. No need to be an angel to exercise this kind of positive influence on others.
Dudley the angel comes to earth to help a Bishop (David Niven) juggle his professional and marital commitments, the conflict being that his priorities have changed since his promotion from the priest of a struggling parish. Only the bishop knows that Dudley is other than human and it takes most of the film before he is totally convinced. Meanwhile his wife and many others in the town are swept up by Dudley's charms. The Bishop is pre-occupied with securing funding for constructing a new cathedral but begins to catch on that Dudley and his wife are getting along so well that the unimaginable could occur-the angel stealing his wife.
If only one word could be used to describe "The Bishop's Wife" it would be subtle. The special effects are minimalist but effective, the careful framing and lighting of Gregg Toland's ("Citizen Kane") black and white cinematography, the tentative steps title character Julia (Loretta Young) takes as she starts to experience happiness again, and the slow realization by Bishop Henry of how far he has drifted from what matters the most.
The unity and subtlety is best illustrated in the scene of Henry walking up the sidewalk towards the Professor's (Monty Wooley) apartment. Although a few minutes from the end, this is actually the film's climax as Henry is finally confronting himself. As he walks forward the dark screen begins to get brighter; in step with his progress toward spiritual change and discovery is the end of his physical journey. He moves symbolically (and literally) toward the light.
Rounding out the strong cast are James Gleason (Max Corkle in "Here Comes Mr. Jordan") Elsa Lanchester, and Gladys Cooper. Henry and Julia's young daughter is played by Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu in "It's a Wonderful Life").
A nice thing is that while the film's "little" miracles are done onscreen they are interwoven into the fabric of the story instead of dominating a scene. This casualness fits the tone of the film as does the occasional satirical line. The most memorable conversation is Cooper's demand (she is pledging money for the new cathedral) that the George figure in the proposed "St. George and the Dragon" stained glass window be made to resemble her late husband. Then Niven (deadpan) asks her whom she wants the dragon to resemble.
There will be a few who do not enjoy this film but I recommend it to anyone who wants a nice holiday film, or who is interested in a relatively deep allegorical tale of one's capacity to be a positive influence on others, or who just wants to see a truly awesome example of technical filmmaking.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Movie Review: My guilty pleasure Christmas movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a touch of Grinch in my genetic make-up and I believe that a Scrooge is listed in my family tree about six generations back. I tend to go Postal after repeated exposure to "It's a Wonderful Life" and to collapse from sugar shock about halfway through "Miracle on 34th Street." But this movie gets me every time. Show me just a single scene and I'm hooked. I drop into a chair and stare in dreamy-eyed, slack-jawed wonder.
The cast is a true Hollywood Golden Age ensemble from top stars to supporting players, from Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven to Elsa Lanchester, Gladys Cooper, Monty Woolley and James Gleason: wonderful, wonderful, all of them! Then there is the magnificent photography--professionalism entwined with art to a degree seldom if ever matched today. The story is a nice little mid-20th Century parable, not entirely pointless, not too sweet and, thankfully, not too strongly insisted upon.
Previous reviewers have pointed out many good things in "The Bishop's Wife." Among its many virtues, by no means the least are that Billy Wilder was included among its writers and that Frank Capra had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the film.
I feel obliged to draw attention here to two scenes that haven't been strongly emphasized in earlier Amazon reviews:
--Mid-way through, Cary Grant as Dudley the Angel and Loretta Young as the Bishop's wife visit the basement of a down-at-the-heels church to hear a children's choir rehearse. The kids are late. One arrives and he immediately starts to sing. The others arrive one by one (with a little help from Dudley), and each begins singing until at last the whole choir is assembled. That is the best children's choir that I have ever seen or heard (and, yes, I have seen the Vienna Boys Choir.) The whole sequence lasts only a few minutes but it's a brilliantly facetted gem.
--The other scene occurs duriing the extended sequence in which Grant and Young are picked up by cab driver James Gleason. For good and sufficient reason, the three of them end up skating on an ice rink, to the joy of participants and audience alike. At one point, the Angel Dudley pronounces a blessing on the cab driver and his descendents. The scene is at once off-hand and rigidly formal. The words of the blessing are straightforward but exalted. In our era in which curses and worse are the common currency of speech, how often do we hear a blessing that is truly moving?
Movie Review: Near-Perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my very favorite Christmas classics. Though I hadn't heard of and didn't see the film until 1980, it immediately joined the ranks of my holiday favorites - at the top of the list. Here's why:
1. Cary Grant as an angel. This is perfect casting and the elegant Mr. Grant plays Dudley with effortless aplomb and grace. The role was made for him and without him the film would probably not be the classic it is (who else could've played an angel and not seemed ridiculous?). Watching each woman in the film fall under his charismatic and kindly spell is special fun.
2. A wonderful supporting cast: Loretta Young, David Niven, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Monty Woolley, Sara Haden, Regis Toomey. This is a splendid ensemble cast and every member delivers. I especially enjoy the great Glady's Cooper's arrogant and demanding aristocrat, Mrs. Hamilton, who becomes putty in Dudley's presence, and the always excellent James Gleason as the cabby, Sylvester. But Niven, Lanchester, Woolley and Haden are all standouts. Loretta Young's soft and astonishing beauty assist her well in the title role as the rather sheltered and innocent but increasingly unhappy wife of a bishop (Niven) who is in the process of losing his way.
3. A good old fashioned Christmas message. The moral of the story is that Christmas is about peace on earth and goodwill toward others, not material objects (gifts, cathedrals, etc.) or personal glory. The plot delivers this message gently and well.
4. It's a Sam Goldwyn film, so it's first rate. Aside from the long, deep list of stars and solid supporting actors, the production is sleek and goodlooking, the plot is engaging, the script facile and often clever and amusing.
Since I first saw "The Bishop's Wife," I've become aware of other classic holiday films (THANKS TO TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES) that were unknown to me before: "Meet Me in St. Louis" (Judy Garland) and "Christmas in Connecticut" (Barbara Stanwyck) in particular. In fact these three are my favorites. Add the 1984 TV version of "A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott and the 1970 musical, "Scrooge," with Albert Finney and you have five peerless Christmas classics.
Movie Review: The Bishop's Wife
Summary: 5 Stars
Plot: Dudley is an angel who comes to help a bishop, in answer to the Bishop's prayer for help in getting funds for his new cathedral. The bishop is beginning to lose faith and believes his marriage is failing. Dudley restores his faith, and brings happiness back to the marriage, but the new church remains unbuilt.Cary Grant and Loretta Young starred in two films: BORN TO BE BAD in 1934 and thirteen years later, THE BISHOP'S WIFE. This picture was nominated for Best Picture in 1947, but lost to GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT. This is Cary Grant's 51st film and his second in 1947. THE BISHOP'S WIFE was remade into THE PREACHER'S WIFE in 1996, starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
THE BISHOP'S WIFE is the story of Julia Brougham and Henry Brougham, played by Loretta Young and David Niven, respectfully. Henry, plays an Episcopalian bishop, who is all caught up with building a new cathedral for his church and has forgotten about his wife, Julia. Henry wishes that he could have some help with the financing his project and prays to God for assistance.
In comes Dudley, Cary Grant, an angel, who has been sent to honor his wishes. Dudley then decides he will work for Henry as his assistant, but in reality decides to spend a lot of time with Julia to make her happy, which infuriates Henry.
However, in the end, Dudley disappears forever from their lives after accomplishing all he came to do. It turns out that an old rare coin given to Julia by Professor Wutheridge, Monty Woolley, is worth a fortune and the new cathedral can be built after all. Julia and Henry get back together and are much happier because Dudley has shown them the way.
Cary Grant has an awful lot of talent in this movie. With his acrobatic ability, he relearned how to ice skate; his musical ability lead him to play the harp, and this of course was not one of his funny films. This was a serious role for Cary and it turned out very well. Variety review of November 19, 1947, states, "Cary Grant is the angel of the piece and has never appeared to greater advantage."
Movie Review: THERE 'IS' MAGIC AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
Summary: 5 Stars
"The 'Bishops' Wife" is a wonderful film... (it's the original film for the remake done with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston a few years back called "The 'Preachers' Wife" - which was was ok but seemed like a rushed Hollywood remake and failed to capture that innocent quaint magic of this original}. Cary Grant infused a smooth suaveness into his role as the Angel that Denzel just didn't quite seem to bring to his.
In this original film, Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven capture the essence, the 'wonderment' and that magical 'something' that touches a cord deep down inside of you. From the snowball fight, to the angel on ice, to the wine bottle that never empties, you will be chuckling and smiling as it takes you on a fun journey to its unpredictable ending.
The special effects are nothing spectacular compared to today's standards, but for the time period in which this B&W was made, it invites your attention and as it unravels to allow you (and your chidren) to double-take with amazement... and if you dare to let go and loose yourself in this film, you will marvel, and believe that angels do walk amongst us, and that seemingly normal, sometimes odd inexplicable occurances in our everyday lives today often do reflect the magic of Christmas time.
You'll be adding this to your list of Christmas classics (like "It's A Wonderful Life" and "Miracle On 34th Street"). A GREAT movie to watch with that special someone, or the kids....
So grab a cup of hot chocolate, some apple cider (or even a hot-toddy ;-) on a cold evening and snuggle in to enjoy this feature...and by the time it's over, ...that good feeling you have? ...well that's just an added bonus (that I bet you didn't count on being included for free with the cost of this film ;-).
Enjoy!