The Bishop's Wife (1947)

 

The Bishop's Wife - 1947

Our next film is 1947's "The Bishop's Wife", where we see an angel come down to Earth to help a minister and his wife save their foundering marriage.  Complications arise when the angel starts to fall for the bishop's wife himself and threatens to derail his mission.

The film's cast includes Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, and Elsa Lanchester.

Bishop Henry Brougham wants to raise money to build a new cathedral.  After a particularly difficult board meeting, he is alone in his study.  There, he prays for guidance.

That guidance is brought to him in the form of an angel named Dudley.  Henry is astounded as Dudley explains exactly who he is and what he's doing there.

Henry is sworn to secrecy about Dudley's identity.  He's to acknowledge him only as an assistant and not as an angel.  Henry reluctantly agrees to the scheme.

During his visit, Dudley spends a lot of time with Henry's wife, Julia.  Julia finds Dudley easy to be with, and appreciates having some special attention paid to her.  Her husband is obsessed with erecting the new cathedral and barely has time for his wife and young daughter.

Although she doesn't know what exactly is happening, Julia watches Dudley work special angel miracles on a friend of hers, Professor Wutheridge, who doesn't want to die before he finishes his important work.  Dudley assures him that he won't die before that work is finished.

Dudley even spends time with Henry and Julia's daughter Debby.  His ability to tell a good story leaves her spellbound.  Henry begins to resent Dudley's "intrusion" on his family life.

But Henry is obsessed with kowtowing to Mrs. Agnes Hamilton, the head of his new cathedral committee.  He insists on deferring to her on every point.  It is her wish that the new cathedral be some sort of shrine to her late husband.

Julia and Dudley spend an increasing amount of time together, which includes some intimate ice skating.  Dudley has to fight very hard to keep his feelings in check.  He also mentions to Julia that he would be willing to stay after he finishes helping Henry.  Julia resists the idea, and eventually tells Dudley that it is time for him to leave.

Before he goes, Dudley dictates a Christmas sermon for Henry on a typewriter.

He also finishes decorating Henry and Julia's Christmas tree.

Later, he pays a visit to Mrs. Hamilton.  By unlocking a secret from her past that touches her heart, he is able to convince her to put her money into helping the poor and needy instead of erecting a cathedral.  (In my opinion, this is the most beautiful scene of the movie.)

Mrs. Hamilton is entirely changed by her meeting with Dudley, something that Henry and Julia are pleasantly surprised about.  However, Mrs. Hamilton lets Henry know that the plans for the cathedral are now off.

Before he leaves for good, Dudley has a final meeting with Henry.  Upset, Henry wants to know why he put a wrench into the cathedral plans.  Dudley quite simply tells him that he prayed for guidance, not a cathedral.

Once Dudley departs for good, all memories of him are erased.  Henry and Julia reconcile and renew their love for each other.

And Henry gives that Christmas sermon that Dudley wrote.  "All the stockings are filled...all, that is, except one.  And we have even forgotten to hang it up.  The stocking for the child born in a manger.  It’s his birthday we’re celebrating.  Don’t let us ever forget that.  Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most.  And then, let each put in his share.  Lovingkindness, warm hearts, and a stretched-out hand of tolerance.  All the shining gifts that make peace on Earth."

Cast rundown:

   Cary Grant................................Dudley

   Loretta Young............................Julia Brougham

   David Niven...............................Bishop Henry Brougham

   Monty Woolley............................Professor Wutheridge

   James Gleason...........................Sylvester

   Gladys Cooper............................Mrs. Agnes Hamilton

   Elsa Lanchester..........................Matilda

And that's all for The Bishop's Wife.  Originally, Cary Grant was hired to play the bishop, and David Niven was hired to play Dudley.  Several scenes were shot with them in these roles.  The original director left the project.  When the new director came on board and viewed what was already filmed, he realized that the two men were in the wrong roles, and he had them switch.  This film was later remade as "The Preacher's Wife".

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