25 Greatest Christmas Films: #11 — ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ (1947)
by John NolteAs Dudley the Angel, Cary Grant is remarkable in “The Bishop’s Wife.” In lesser hands, what could’ve been a fairly bland do-gooder role, is turned into a complex character with a real emotional life thanks to Grant’s extraordinary ability to plumb the depths of his well-known persona (watch Grant react, it’s the best part of his performance here). Think about it: He’s an angel sent from God to help Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) find his way, and what does Dudley go and do? He falls in love with the bishop’s wife, Julia (Loretta Young).
That’s pretty complicated stuff, especially in 1947 before blasphemy and defiling God became a Hollywood resume enhancer. But nothing about this lovely Christmas film with a great big spiritual heart seems complicated at all thanks to a deft script that gives each of its characters a simple dignity, and Grant, who effectively adds a subtle layer of darkness to Dudley that works almost on a subconscious level.
And what a wonderful film to spend a couple of hours with. Photographed by the legendary Gregg Toland, the holiday spirit leaps from the screen in every snow-covered scene. Christmas shopping, ice skating, choirs, churches, decorations, and the time-honored tradition of buying a tree. You don’t watch “The Bishops Wife,” you visit for a couple hours as you’re transported — not to the way life is or was — but somewhere better: the way life ought to be.
The cast is the likes of which we will never see again. Monty Woolley oozes warmth as a sweet old history professor feeling his age, tired of hollow intellectualism and looking for faith. The always delightful James Gleason is just as memorable as Sylvester, the gruff cabbie brought back to life on a pair ice skates, and Elsa Lanchester manages to steal most of the big laughs as Matilda, the bishop’s nervous, scattered housekeeper.
As Dudley’s prickly, difficult charge, Niven deserves credit for managing to not get lost playing straight man to all of this, and the luminous Young is just as impressive as Grant playing a faithful wife and mother drawn to the attentive, somewhat roguish Dudley.
Magical, charming and ultimately bittersweet, in the end, “The Bishop’s Wife” is not about the power of angels or spirits from on high. It’s about the power of the human spirit and how true monuments to God aren’t built from brick and mortar, but in how carefully we tend to our relationships with the people we love.
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48 Comments
'Magical, charming and ultimately bittersweet, in the end, “The Bishop’s Wife” is not about the power of angels or spirits from on high. It’s about the power of the human spirit and how true monuments to God aren’t built from brick and mortar, but in how carefully we tend to our relationships with the people we love.'
That sums it up nicely.
I *adore* this movie and make sure to watch it at least once a year.
I find this film one of the more interesting Christmas films that has held up, in my estimation,
over many repeat viewings. Black and white films of the 30s, 40s, and beyond seem to have an
allure to them and along with some of the finest actors of the day it is a tradition in this house
each year. I believe its a high top ten pick but It certainly deserves the position its in.
Wonderful selection.
Might I suggest a post with a recap of the list. It would be much easier than searching through archives.
I was reading on imdb that Grant originally wanted the role of the bishop – think how different the movie would have been!
Great idea … thanks: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/tag/25-greatest...
Great idea … thanks: http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/tag/25-greatest...
Every time they show this on TCM, Bob Osborn comments that originally the Niven and Grant roles were reversed – Niven as Dudley and Grant as the Bishop. Thank goodness Grant wanted to play Dudley! I'm not sure it would have worked as well the other way around. Oh, and by the way, Dudley's not the only one who falls in love with Loretta Young – I do each time I watch!
I agree it would have been different but with the actors
they have it would still have been a very good film.
I would have liked to see that version.
I've read that actual scenes were shot with the Grant and Niven roles reveresed before a new director came in and made the switch.
Grant was the best straight man in the business, so it would've been teriffic either way, but this is one of Grant's under-rated roles and playing the Bishop wouldn't have offered him the same opportunities as an actor that he had as Dudley, so all in all the switch was wise.
No doubt a fine holiday film but I don't think I would rate "The Bishop's Wife" ahead of "Chirstmas in Conecticutt" or the Reginald Owen "Christmas Carol." (That's the fun of these lists.) I was never totally sold on the idea of Cary Grant as an angel (or a bishop for that matter.) Grant was too worldly, sophisticated and debonair (in my wholly private view) to play characters whose chief attribute was spirituality. And I always thought the part of the bishop was a tad under-written. Still any film that has leads like Grant, Young and Niven backed up by Gladys Cooper, Monty Wolley, Elsa Lanchester and James Gleason has to be pretty good.
Mr. Nolte,
I believe IMDB has that they shot some scenes before the Grant/Niven switch was made at a cost of about 1 million dollars. IMHO, the switch was worth every penny. (Nothing against Mr. Niven; I love his work.)
I just watched this film recently and, although Dudley was attracted to Julia, I didn’t feel it was a sexual attraction. I’m not sure Dudley even had that capacity. It seemed somehow innocent; he was attracted to her soul more than anything. I’ve never seen the remake, but I feel that it would e portrayed a bit differently today. What do you think?
JC
I saw the remake and was even excited about it because Denzel is one of the few worthy today to step into the shoes of The Greats, but at two hours-plus with pointless interludes for Whitney's forgettable songs, "The Preacher's Wife" ultimately failed because the always hit-and-miss Penny Marshall struck out bigtime on this one.
No, and I agree it wasn't a sexual attraction, it was love. She made him want to be human again. Watch his face when he walks away at the end. The man is heartbroken. Stirring stuff.
Another remake wouldn't put them in bed together, it would just lack the maturity of the original — it would be emotionally hollow and simple and overdone in the production design department.
Sam Goldwyn produced the original and he was a genius at making sure there was an emotional complexity in his films, and the Bishops Wife is one of the best examples of that because you don't see it, you feel it.
"Pulling that off is a major storytelling accomplishment and takes a talent and insight into the human condition we just don't see on the screen anymore."
My thoughts exactly. I believe any remake these days would cheapen the experience. Too often a remake turns into a ham-fisted adventure into "over-the-topism" and a film like this relies on the subtle yet powerful feelings it brings out in the viewer.
I wish I had time to pay attention to every story. It's cool to see movies like "Remember The Night" and "A Holiday Affair" in this list. Of course, this movie belongs in any top Christmas movie list and I'm sure we'll see "Miracle on 34th Street" with "It's A Wonderful Life" near the top. I will say, my favorite 'Christmas Carol' is "Scrooge" from '71 with Alastair Sim http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044008/ . Back to "The Bishop's Wife"… there was always something that bothered me about the ending. Everyone realizes that their selfishness is the cause of their unhappiness but the movie leaves you guessing about the true motives of the Angel, and wondering why he would have any motivation to do other than what he was sent for. Are we supposed to believe he, a manifestation of spirit, wanted carnal knowledge of the woman? It's a story of redemption but seems unresolved. Oh well, that's Hollywood.
I was waiting for this picture to show up on your list. I never doubted it would, just curious when. Eleven is a good spot I guess. I love Loretta Young.
Your comment reminded me of an episode of Family Ties where the dad says that when he pictures God, he pictures Cary Grant, then doing a Cary Grant voice – "Hello there, I'm glad you could come. I've been expecting you."
It was a nice moment in the show.
My favorite part is the old professor buying the Christmas tree in the begining of the film. "How much do you want for this misserable weed?"- it kindof sumed up most of the Christmas trees we had when I was a kid.
Where are the top 10 Christmas Movies. I have looked and looked and do not see a way to find them. I did see 11-25??
This is definitely a favorite! The Mitchell boys choir added a nice touch as well. I just wish I had a sherry bottle that kept refilling itself like the one the professor had.
Movies like this appeal to the entire family. There was some real dynamic tension between Dudley and Julia. But another funny bit of schtick was when the bishop gets his butt glued to the chair. The kid in me always laughs during that scene.
Yet it seems unrealistic to me that an angel or anyone else would be heartbroken at the prospect of returning to Heaven, even if it means leaving Loretta Young.
Of course, I understand it's only a movie and not meant to replace the book of Revelation.
Same here, but I miss those scraggly little trees just the same.
Alas, I haven't seen this, the original, but the Denzel Washington-Whitney Houston version.
I liked it. But is it because I don't have Cary Grant and Loretta Young to contrast?
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I don't think we lose our humanity or our ability to feel romantic love in Heaven.
I have been saving each entry to a single document.
Yes, I believe that Niven was set to play the angel.
Karolyn Grimes is the cute young child in this movie. She would return shortly as ZuZu in 'It's A Wonderful Life.'
I thoroughly agree. Bishop's Wife is a film I want to like, but I cannot make the leap of faith that Cary Grant playing an angel, or that an angel would flirt with a human. There's certainly a lot of wonderful set-pieces in the film, but it is never a fully satisfying Christmas film for me.
I would rate this movie higher than #11: it's one of my favorite movies of all time. I don't mind the ambiguity. Perhaps one of the appeals is that the movie succeeds on several levels. I love the simple scenes, such as the snowball fight and, my personal favorite, the ice skating scene (the music adds immeasurably). But the character of Dudley has, as someone else mentions, a dark side, perhaps reflecting that what we humans often long to perceive in simple terms of good and evil is more complicated. Even in the spirit world, there is conflict (Satan himself, of course, was once an angel). This theme is also reflected in the Bishop, who seeks to hold on to his principles even as the attainment of his ultimate goal of a grand cathedral undermines them. When he finally tells Dudley that he can go, that his job is done because he, the Bishop, has what he wanted, Dudley tells him that it was never a question of getting the funds to build the cathedral: he could have had that at any time he was willing to compromise.
Perhaps it is worth nothing that there is no bad guy in this movie (even the character of Agnes). There is no Potter driving a man to ruin or Scrooge "bah humbugging" Christmas. The characters themselves are essentially good, but tempted to evil; yet they overcome their darkness and commit themselves to their true selves: Dudley to continuing is serve as an angel, the Bishop to renewing his relationship with his wife and to serving God through serving people.
There should be a word about Loretta Young. If Grant is the movie’s driving force, Niven the instigator of its crisis, and the character actors its rich texture, Young is its center: She makes you believe even an angel can fall in love.
Finally, the movie is remarkable for its “business,” for the exquisite detail of everything that goes on. For instance, when the Bishop believes Dudley is an angel, he opens the door to his office and waits for Dudley to enter. When he is angry with Dudley, or doubts him, he enters first (once even stopping Dudley from entering until he had passed through the door himself).
Truly remarkable.
Some inside information about this film from David Niven's autobiography, "The Moon's A Balloon" after WWII Niven brought his young British wife, Primula, and sons to back to Hollywood. While at a party at Tyrone Power's home, they were playing a game of hide and seek. Niven's wife intended to hide in a closet, but the door she opened was the basement door. She fell down the steps and died within hours. Niven was numb with grief and trying to cope with parenting his two very young sons. Cary Grant and Loretta Young were his oldest and dearest friends from the time he first arrived in Hollywood in the early 1930s. He said they literally carried him through his performance in The Bishop's Wife, that he remembers very little about any of the filming. They were trying to save his career so he could support his children. These are my recollects of his statements in the book I ready 20+ years ago. I may be off base, but not by much. If you ever come across either of his books, THE MOON'S A BALLON or BRING ON THE EMPTY HORSES, do your self a favor and pick them up! Niven was a first rate raconteur!
Well Cary Grant was the perfect Dudley – can anyone top that?
No, but Denzel Washington charms in his turn at it in "The Preacher's Wife".
I like both movies, but the cast of the original and the 'time transport' of it make it suoerior.
Loretta Young is stunning.
You are kidding right? If not – he's not listed them as yet.
It took me a while to actually sit down and watch this film but I'm glad I did. It's become one of my favorites, Christmas or not.
Love this flick. Number two on my Christmas movie list, behind Holiday Inn
This movie, Christmas In Connecticut and The Man Who Came To Dinner are my absolute fave Christmas movies… watch them every year without fail… though TCM doesn't have The Bishop's Wife on their schedule this year which is kind of shocking.
The best part–the skating with James Gleason (the cabby)–what a delight
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