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The Bishop's Wife (1947)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
16 February 1948 (USA)
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Plot:
A bishop trying to get a new cathedral built prays for guidance. An angel (Cary Grant) arrives, but his guidance isn't about fundraising. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Bishop
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Angel
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Christmas
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Ice Skating
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Benefactor
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Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 4 nominations
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
A Light But Worthwhile Holiday Classic
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Cary Grant | ... | Dudley |
 | Loretta Young | ... | Julia Brougham |
 | David Niven | ... | Bishop Henry Brougham |
 | Monty Woolley | ... | Prof. Wutheridge |
| James Gleason | ... | Sylvester |
| Gladys Cooper | ... | Mrs. Hamilton |
 | Elsa Lanchester | ... | Matilda |
| Sara Haden | ... | Mildred Cassaway |
| Karolyn Grimes | ... | Debby Brougham |
| Tito Vuolo | ... | Maggenti |
| Regis Toomey | ... | Mr. Miller |
| Sarah Edwards | ... | Mrs. Duffy |
| Margaret McWade | ... | Miss Trumbull |
| Anne O'Neal | ... | Mrs. Ward |
| Ben Erway | ... | Mr. Perry |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Certification:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Teresa Wright was playing the bishop's wife in the William A. Seiter version until the director was abruptly fired. She was not recast as she was then pregnant. Samuel Goldwyn's decision to start the film over again was a costly one, as $1 million had already been spent.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Dudley sits down to have dinner with the Bishop and his wife, the Bishop has a stalk of celery in his left suit pocket. He removes it from the pocket as he sits down. The next shot it is back in the same pocket and he takes it out again.
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Quotes:
Henry Brougham:
Are you expecting a letter?
Dudley: Well, you never know. If I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving.
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Dudley: Well, you never know. If I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in A Hollywood Christmas (1996) (V)
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Soundtrack:
Noël
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FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?Whose prayer does Dudley answer -- the bishop or the bishop's wife?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
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While not quite on the level of "It's a Wonderful Life" or the best of the "Scrooge" adaptations, "The Bishop's Wife" is still a worthwhile holiday classic. Much of the story is relatively lightweight material, but that's not necessarily all bad, since it thereby avoids taking itself too seriously. It is simple but thoughtful, and often quite entertaining. When it picks up a little more substance towards the end, it is then that much more effective for having maintained a lighter tone for much of the movie.
The cast is quite strong. Very few actors could handle a role like Dudley as well as Cary Grant does, giving it plenty of energy and believability. David Niven and Loretta Young also give fine performances. With the likes of James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, and Elsa Lanchester, plus a couple of good moments from Monty Woolley, the supporting cast also helps a great deal. The production is unpretentious, even downplaying the possibilities for miraculous tricks much of the time, and it works well.
The 1990's remake had a couple of strengths, but it was not up to the standard of the classic version. Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston's singing, and a fine supporting performance from Gregory Hines provided some good reasons to see it. But there was too much predictable padding, and the level of the screenplay and the directing were not up to the standard of the cast.
As for the classic version, it avoided most of the potential mistakes. By taking itself less seriously and focusing on a few core developments, it fits together nicely. The closing sequence in particular works very well, and it is easily the best part of the movie.