The Bishop’s Wife **** (1947, Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester) – Classic Movie Review 6802

Hitchcock’s favourite actor Cary Grant (Suspicion) makes an awkward fit as an angel in The Bishop’s Wife (1947). The cinema’s best ever light comedian is always at his best in a subtle or ambiguous role and here he seems uncomfortable in the role of the little-known angel Dudley, a mediator sent from heaven to help and correct Episcopal Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven), who is neglecting his wife Julia (Loretta Young) and parishioners in favour of his plans to build an elaborate new cathedral.

But director Henry Koster’s do-gooding 1947 Hollywood religious fantasy fable is made invigorating by its performers (even if they are in some cases miscast) and by Samuel Goldwyn’s rock-solid production with all its hard work behind the scenes.

Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young in The Bishop’s Wife (1947).

Director Koster tends to drag it out and make heavy weather of it at 109 minutes, but it is still worth a look for the sweet story and charming performers, and overall, yes, the film is charming too.

Also in the notable cast are Monty Woolley as Professor Wutheridge, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Haden, Regis Toomey, Karolyn Grimes, Abby Anderson, Margaret McWade, Sarah Edwards and Tito Vuolo.

The screenplay by Robert E Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici is adapted from a novel by Robert Nathan. Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett also worked uncredited on the screenplay.

There were five Oscar nominations – none for the actors – and just the one win, for Best Sound, Recording (Gordon Sawyer). It includes nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing (Monica Collingwood) and Best Scoring (Hugo Friedhofer).

The Bishop’s Wife is directed by Henry Koster, runs 109 minutes, is made by the Samuel Goldwyn Company, is released by RKO, is written by Robert E Sherwood and Leonardo Bercovici, based on a novel by Robert Nathan, is shot in black and white by Gregg Toland, is produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and is scored by Hugo Friedhofer, with Art Direction by Perry Ferguson and George Jenkins.

The Bishop’s Wife is showing in UK Showcase Cinemas in December 2019.

It is remade as The Preacher’s Wife, with Denzel Washington.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6802

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