The Bishop's Wife
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| The Bishop's Wife | |
| Directed by | Henry Koster |
|---|---|
| Produced by | Samuel Goldwyn |
| Written by | Novel: Robert Nathan Screenplay: Leonardo Bercovici Robert E. Sherwood Uncredited: Billy Wilder Charles Brackett |
| Starring | Cary Grant Loretta Young David Niven |
| Music by | Hugo Friedhofer |
| Cinematography | Gregg Toland |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures Inc. |
| Release date(s) | December 9, 1947 |
| Running time | 109 minutes |
| Language | English |
The Bishop's Wife (1947) is a Samuel Goldwyn romantic comedy feature film starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven in a story about an angel who helps a bishop with his problems. It was released by RKO. The film was adapted by Leonardo Bercovici and Robert E. Sherwood from the novel of the same name by Robert Nathan, and was directed by Henry Koster.
The film won the Academy Award for Sound, and was nominated for Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Picture.
It was remade in 1996 as The Preacher's Wife starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) prays for divine guidance with the troubled building of a new cathedral. His plea is seemingly answered by a suave angel named Dudley (Cary Grant), who reveals his identity initially only to the clergyman.
However, Dudley's mission isn't to help with the construction of the cathedral. He is there as a guide to Henry and the people around him. Henry has become obsessed with the building to the detriment of his duties and marriage to his neglected, unhappy wife, Julia (Loretta Young). Everyone, except for Henry, is charmed by the newcomer, even the non-religious Professor Wutheridge (Monty Woolley). Dudley finally and easily persuades the wealthy parishioners, particularly Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), to contribute the needed funds, but not to build the cathedral. He helps Mrs. Hamilton decide to give her money to feed and clothe the needy—much to Henry's chagrin. He also redecorates the Broghams' Christmas tree in two seconds, saves an old church by restoring interest in the boys' choir, and arranges for the typewriter to automatically type Henry's new sermon - which Dudley dictates without Henry's knowledge.
When Dudley spends time cheering up Julia, there is an unexpected development: Dudley finds himself strongly attracted to her. Sensing this, Henry becomes jealous and anxious for his unwelcome guest to finish and depart. Eventually, he stands up to the angel. With his mission completed and knowing that Julia loves her husband, Dudley leaves, promising never to return. All memory of him is erased, and on Christmas Eve at midnight, Henry delivers the sermon which he now believes he alone has written.
[edit] Cast
- Cary Grant as Dudley
- Loretta Young as Julia Brougham
- David Niven as Bishop Henry Brougham
- Monty Woolley as Professor Wutheridge
- James Gleason as Sylvester, a sympathetic taxi driver
- Gladys Cooper as Mrs. Hamilton
- Elsa Lanchester as Matilda
- Sara Haden as Mildred Cassaway
- Karolyn Grimes as Debby Brougham
- Tito Vuolo as Maggenti
- Regis Toomey as Mr. Miller
- Sarah Edwards as Mrs. Duffy
- Margaret McWade as Miss Trumbull
- Anne O'Neal as Mrs. Ward
- Ben Erway as Mr. Perry
Niven was originally cast as the angel, Dana Andrews as the bishop, and Teresa Wright as his wife. However, Wright had to bow out due to pregnancy. According to Robert Osborne, Andrews was lent to RKO in order to obtain Loretta Young. Koster then brought in Cary Grant, but he wanted to play the angel, so the role of the bishop was given to Niven.
[edit] Production
Production was not without troubles. Producer Samuel Goldwyn replaced director William A. Seiter with Henry Koster to create a completely new film. In early previews, audiences disliked the film, so Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett made uncredited rewrites.
Although no denomination is mentioned in the film, the characters are clearly members of the Episcopal Church.[citation needed]
