The Bishop's Wife
Heavenly bells are ringing, jubilant choirs are singing and Christmas joy is blanketing the world like freshly fallen snow. But the Yuletide spirit has yet to warm Bishop Henry Brougham's Victorian home. Struggling to raise funds for a new cathedral, the preoccupied young clergyman has neglected his loving wife Julia, and now only divine intervention can save their marriage! But the powerful and handsome angel sent from above has a mind of his own and teaching mortal Henry an immortal lesson inromance isn't all he's got planned! Starring Oscar(r) winners* Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, and featuring "a stellar supporting cast" (The Hollywood Reporter) that includes James Gleason and Monty Woolley, this delightful romantic comedy is wondrous, witty andtruly divine! *Grant, Honorary Oscar (1969); Young, Actress, The Farmer's Daughter (1947); Niven, Actor, Separate Tables (1958)
Perhaps if The Bishop's Wife had lapsed on its copyright and fallen into the public domain like It's a Wonderful Life, it would be as much a Christmas staple as that classic. It certainly deserves to be. Dudley (Cary Grant) is an angel sent down by the prayers of a new bishop (David Niven). The bishop is trying to build a new cathedral, and he's so entrenched in his fundraising that he's watching his own marriage crumble around him. Loretta Young is devoted, moist-eyed, and basically a great date for the tempted Dudley. They drink in the afternoon, go skating at night, and make impulse buys. The skating sequence beats mightily on one's suspension of disbelief, but the rest of the film is an absolute joy. Grant is suave, worldly, and enchanting. A wonderful present for anyone who has not seen it. --Keith Simanton
The Bishop's Wife Accessories
 Christmas in Connecticut
Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)
It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)
Holiday Inn (Special Edition)
The Bells of St. Mary's
White Christmas
A Christmas Carol (Ultimate Collector's Edition)(B/W & Color)
Going My Way (Universal Cinema Classics)
A Christmas Story (Full-Screen Edition)
A Christmas Carol
The Bishop's Wife Reviews
I have loved this movie for a long time, and was thrilled to find it available on Amazon in DVD format. It is a great "old" movie classic.
Originally, Grant was supposed to play the part of the Bishop, which is well-played by David Niven, and Niven was supposed to play Dudley the angel. Grant reportedly insisted on taking the angel's part, however. It is not shown as much as "It's a Wonderful Life," and though it is warm and sentimental, it not too sticky-sweet to tolerate. This is one of the best classic holiday movies. I mean, (from a woman's perspective) if an angel were to appear on earth, what better form could he possibly manifest than that of Cary Grant. He plays it to perfection, right down to the soulful look in his liquid brown eyes. This movie has one of the most brilliant bits of casting ever.
If you enjoy Christmas classics, you must add this one to your collection. Great storyline.
Was also thrilled at the availability of this film. Very satisfied with packaging, shipping and promptness of delivery.
Hamilton, who becomes putty in Dudley's presence, and the always excellent James Gleason as the cabby, Sylvester. 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. 4. Cary Grant as an angel. A good old fashioned Christmas message. A wonderful supporting cast: Loretta Young, David Niven, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Monty Woolley, Sara Haden, Regis Toomey. But Niven, Lanchester, Woolley and Haden are all standouts.
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. 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). 3. or personal glory. 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.
1. 2. I especially enjoy the great Glady's Cooper's arrogant and demanding aristocrat, Mrs. The plot delivers this message gently and well. 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.
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. Louis" (Judy Garland) and "Christmas in Connecticut" (Barbara Stanwyck) in particular. Grant plays Dudley with effortless aplomb and grace.
The moral of the story is that Christmas is about peace on earth and goodwill toward others, not material objects (gifts, cathedrals, etc). This is a splendid ensemble cast and every member delivers. Here's why:.
This is one of my very favorite Christmas classics. Watching each woman in the film fall under his charismatic and kindly spell is special fun. In fact these three are my favorites.
This is perfect casting and the elegant Mr. It's a Sam Goldwyn film, so it's first rate.
|
