The Bishop's Wife (1947)
In their fifth onscreen pairing, real-life friends David Niven and Loretta Young play husband and wife. He’s the bishop, and she’s The Bishop’s Wife. Niven wants to build a cathedral, but in doing so, he’s losing sight of his old ideals. He prays for help, and help is granted, though not in the form he wanted. Cary Grant, an angel, is sent down to Earth, but is he there to help ensure the cathedral is built, or is he trying to remind Niven of what’s really important?
It’s easy to see why The Bishop’s Wife is a Christmas classic in most households. The story is interesting, the acting is good, Hugo Friedhofer's music is delightful, and Robert E. Sherwood’s and Leonardo Bercovici’s script is memorable and wise. I often wondered why the film, and original novel, was entitled The Bishop’s Wife, instead of perhaps The Bishop’s Visit or even The Bishop’s Cathedral. After watching it for probably the twenty-fifth time, I finally understood the title, and the true meaning of the story—just one of the reasons why this classic is so wonderful. Learning something new from the film after 25 viewings is incredible. I won’t tell you my take on the story, because it’s the type of story that could speak to everyone differently, but the next time you watch it, try really focusing on Cary Grant’s purpose.
The famous trivia from this movie is that the original male casting was reversed. David Niven was supposed to be the angel, and Cary Grant the bishop. Since I absolutely love The Niv, I think the original casting would have been fine; he would have been as charming and attractive as the angel role required. After all, I fell in love with David Niven in this movie! “Have a chair,” Agnes Moorhead offers. “Thank you, I . . . have one,” he answers with perfect British comic timing. That was it—my heart was his! However, since I absolutely love The Niv, I know that he suffered an unspeakably awful tragedy weeks before filming began. I have to think Cary Grant was being helpful and sensitive to suggest the change, knowing that his friend couldn't handle the calm, confident role at that time.
I recently bought Robert Nathan’s original novel, and after forcing myself through the very depressing, extremely different story, I was filled with even more admiration for the film! I know I’m not heaping quite enough praise on this movie, so I’ll try to compliment it some more. In the book, the characters are completely different, and frankly, not who you’d want to waste your time caring about up on the big screen. Sherwood and Bercovici’s adaptation of the very difficult novel is incredible. Agnes Moorhead’s character, whom some would argue is the most important part of the movie, isn’t even in the book! Monty Woolley’s character only talks philosophy and history with the angel; he isn’t given any other dimensions to his character. In the film, he banters with an old friend, accepts religion in others even though he has none of his own, describes his regret over losing the love of his life, and bolsters the bishop when needed. Some would argue he has the most important role in the film.
It’s easy to see why The Bishop’s Wife is a Christmas classic in most households. The story is interesting, the acting is good, Hugo Friedhofer's music is delightful, and Robert E. Sherwood’s and Leonardo Bercovici’s script is memorable and wise. I often wondered why the film, and original novel, was entitled The Bishop’s Wife, instead of perhaps The Bishop’s Visit or even The Bishop’s Cathedral. After watching it for probably the twenty-fifth time, I finally understood the title, and the true meaning of the story—just one of the reasons why this classic is so wonderful. Learning something new from the film after 25 viewings is incredible. I won’t tell you my take on the story, because it’s the type of story that could speak to everyone differently, but the next time you watch it, try really focusing on Cary Grant’s purpose.
The famous trivia from this movie is that the original male casting was reversed. David Niven was supposed to be the angel, and Cary Grant the bishop. Since I absolutely love The Niv, I think the original casting would have been fine; he would have been as charming and attractive as the angel role required. After all, I fell in love with David Niven in this movie! “Have a chair,” Agnes Moorhead offers. “Thank you, I . . . have one,” he answers with perfect British comic timing. That was it—my heart was his! However, since I absolutely love The Niv, I know that he suffered an unspeakably awful tragedy weeks before filming began. I have to think Cary Grant was being helpful and sensitive to suggest the change, knowing that his friend couldn't handle the calm, confident role at that time.
I recently bought Robert Nathan’s original novel, and after forcing myself through the very depressing, extremely different story, I was filled with even more admiration for the film! I know I’m not heaping quite enough praise on this movie, so I’ll try to compliment it some more. In the book, the characters are completely different, and frankly, not who you’d want to waste your time caring about up on the big screen. Sherwood and Bercovici’s adaptation of the very difficult novel is incredible. Agnes Moorhead’s character, whom some would argue is the most important part of the movie, isn’t even in the book! Monty Woolley’s character only talks philosophy and history with the angel; he isn’t given any other dimensions to his character. In the film, he banters with an old friend, accepts religion in others even though he has none of his own, describes his regret over losing the love of his life, and bolsters the bishop when needed. Some would argue he has the most important role in the film.
The character of the angel is also completely different. Can you imagine Cary Grant moping around for two hours, losing his faith and depressing everyone around him? Of course not; it’s Cary Grant! He’s supposed to put people at ease instantly and make their burdens lighter. His famous smile plays an integral role in the movie, making the story better than Robert Nathan intended. The title character is the only one who’s relatively similar to the story; Loretta Young has moments of unexplained depression and disappointment in her life because she either read the original novel or was told to act that way by someone who had. I don’t understand how she could be unhappy being married to The Niv, but that’s just me.
And finally, the bishop. In the novel, he’s barely in the story! He’s cold and consumed by his work and barely talks to anyone. Bercovici wrote David Niven a wonderful and meaty part, one he plays wonderfully. No one can act out “I’m so frazzled I can’t take it anymore!” like David Niven can. On the other side of his face is deep sorrow, one that isn’t explained in the film but can be imagined by the audience. Perhaps his character was disappointed by aspects of his life, perhaps he inserted unwritten frustrations to back up his character’s inner crisis, or perhaps he was completely unaware of that element of his performance. In real life, he’d just suffered a terrible tragedy, so it’s possible his own sadness subconsciously added to his onscreen character.
The Bishop’s Wife holds a special place in my family’s Christmas tradition, and not just an annual viewing of the film. David Niven gives a Christmas sermon, and he talks about the true spirit of the season, reminding his listeners that as they hang up everyone’s stocking, there’s one stocking that remains unhung. At our house, because of that speech, we hang up an extra stocking every year. Just another thing to think about as you watch this delightful Christmas staple, with a supporting cast of James Gleason, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Haden, Robert Keith, and two children also seen in It’s a Wonderful Life, Bobby Anderson and Karolyn Grimes.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the original novel here!
More David Niven movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
And finally, the bishop. In the novel, he’s barely in the story! He’s cold and consumed by his work and barely talks to anyone. Bercovici wrote David Niven a wonderful and meaty part, one he plays wonderfully. No one can act out “I’m so frazzled I can’t take it anymore!” like David Niven can. On the other side of his face is deep sorrow, one that isn’t explained in the film but can be imagined by the audience. Perhaps his character was disappointed by aspects of his life, perhaps he inserted unwritten frustrations to back up his character’s inner crisis, or perhaps he was completely unaware of that element of his performance. In real life, he’d just suffered a terrible tragedy, so it’s possible his own sadness subconsciously added to his onscreen character.
The Bishop’s Wife holds a special place in my family’s Christmas tradition, and not just an annual viewing of the film. David Niven gives a Christmas sermon, and he talks about the true spirit of the season, reminding his listeners that as they hang up everyone’s stocking, there’s one stocking that remains unhung. At our house, because of that speech, we hang up an extra stocking every year. Just another thing to think about as you watch this delightful Christmas staple, with a supporting cast of James Gleason, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Haden, Robert Keith, and two children also seen in It’s a Wonderful Life, Bobby Anderson and Karolyn Grimes.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of the original novel here!
More David Niven movies here!
More Christmas movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Supporting Actor of 1947: Monty Woolley
Best Musical Score: Hugo Friedhofer
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: Henry Koster
Best Supporting Actress: Gladys Cooper
Best Comedic Screenplay
Best Supporting Actor of 1947: Monty Woolley
Best Musical Score: Hugo Friedhofer
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: Henry Koster
Best Supporting Actress: Gladys Cooper
Best Comedic Screenplay