The Bishop's Wife
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Movie Reviews of The Bishop's Wife
Movie Review: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR!!
Summary: 5 Stars
THE BISHOP'S WIFE - 1947
RATED - NR but almost certainly G. VERY family friendly.
AWARDS - 1 Academy Award for BEST SOUND & 4 nominations including BEST PICTURE.
THEMES - Faith, hope, love, spirituality.
STORY - This could be subtitled 'be careful what you pray for'. David Niven is the Bishop and he's under a lot of pressure to raise money for a new Cathedral. There is one wealthy donor that can make it happen but it means compromising to satisfy her. This pressure has also put a strain on what has until now been a wonderful marriage. It's also Christmas and his family wants to spend time with him which he doesn't believe he can spare. In desperation he cries out to God for wisdom. He thought he was asking for help in building the cathedral. He received something entirely different. Cary Grant shows up as Dudley the Angel and sets about trying to help the Bishop. He also tries to mend the relationship between Julia (Loretta Young) and the Bishop and finds himself becoming attracted to her. The Bishop also senses this. It eventually comes to a head and leads to a much different conclusion than the Bishop expected. This is a delightful, romantic comedy and should be a Christmas favorite right along with It's A Wonderful Life and other Christmas classics. [...]
Movie Review: Possibly the Best Christmas Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Somehow, over the years, this spectacularly well-acted and truly heartwarming and original Christmas-themed movie has been forgotten by the general public and today is largely the province of film buffs and true Christmas enthusiasts. My wife and I are a little of both, and discovering this classic a few years back was the high point of our Christmas season.
David Niven plays an unsure, slightly skeptical, newly-minted Episopal Bishop in one of those classic 1946-ish snowy Northeast USA metropoli. Loretta Young is his loving wife, who he increasingly ignores under the pressure of his job and a near-obsession with building a new cathedral.
Niven prays for help and suddenly there is Dudley, played by Cary Grant as a handsome and slightly-impish angel. Dudley must help patch up a family filled with unrequited love, help the Bishop rediscover his true faith and mission, and fight his own Angelic temptations towards mortal love.
On the way, Dudley has some wonderful interactions with Elsa Lanchester, as the maid, and Monty Wooley as the Professor.
The film is heartwarming and touching, with wonderful touches of wit and some excellent cinematography.
You'll want to get this and watch it every year.
Movie Review: Should be part of everybody's Christmas diary...
Summary: 5 Stars
I have now watched this film at least 30 times since the first time I was introduced to it by my Mum in 1976 when I was 6 yeas old. My mother called me to come and watch a 'nice film' and she was never wrong about these things! Attention span of a 6 year old is probably 3 minutes but I remember being completely engrossed in it and watching from beginning to end without leaving my seat. Even then I was able to follow the story.
Cary Grant plays a wonderful character with his own special brand of quirkiness that only he could. All the characters are special, my favourite being the Professor played by Monty Wooley, who to me is that kind old gentleman that used to live down your street and you would always get a merry quip, a cheery hello, a wink or even a nod as you walked by. You can read the other reviews for what it is about in detail - I would just say get it and watch it if you haven't as this film is just as good as 'its a wonderful life' (if not better) and if you like that film then you need to watch the Bishop's wife - you wont be disappointed. Get it and watch it with all the family and if you haven't got family near then invite some neighbours round and watch it with them!
Movie Review: A Christmas story with a comical touch
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a light Christmas movie with a comical touch. Cary Grant played an angel Dudley who met Julia, the Bishop's wife (Loretta Young) on the street. Anyone's encounter with the angel would find the experience close and personal - the story he told, the small miracle he performed belied his understanding of every one's need. The beneficiaries include the cook (Elsa Lanchester, nurse in Witness for Prosecution), the secretary, Professor Wutheridge(Monty Woolley, Colonel in Since you went away), the taxi driver, Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper, Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady).
The comical touch came from the Bishop (David Niven) when he found his position as the head of family seriously threatened by the angel's presence. Even his dog forsook him.
This is a simple beautiful story. Cary Grant chose to play the angel in this movie instead of the James Stewart role in "It's a Wonderful Life". In retrospect, Cary Grant made a wise choice, for him and for James Stewart. And the trio - Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven delivered the story superbly.
Movie Review: A Christmas Delight
Summary: 5 Stars
Although dating from 1947, this film is in no way "dated." It is sweet, funny, and ultimately moving in its limning of the meaning of Christmas. It's hard to believe that the cast could be bettered. Cary Grant could, of course, capture an audience by reciting a telephone book, but here he's not just reciting anything. He's completely convincing in his portrayal of the angel Dudley. His co-stars, Loretta Young and David Niven, are equally convincing in their roles, and there are no weak links in the supporting cast, although I cannot resist noting the special pleasures provided by Monty Woolley and Elsa Lanchester. And a real salute goes to the young actress (I'm sorry I don't know her name) who appears as Debbie. I usually have an urge to strangle most child actors and actresses, but not this one. She's utterly natural and believable, and she deserves large kudos. (The boys in the snowball fight are also good, but their appearance is too brief to be singled out more.) This film has become a Christmas classic, and one viewing shows why the distinction is fully deserved.