The Bishop's Wife

Starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young & David Niven

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Like It's a Wonderful Life this is a film in which an angel intervenes in human lives at Christmas time.  But this angel, Dudley, played by the ever-suave, urbane Cary Grant, is rather different - he masquerades as the new assistant of a troubled Bishop (a harassed David Niven) & charms everyone he encounters.  Dudley appears as a response to the Bishop's cry for help in raising money to build his planned new cathedral, but as Dudley points out, the real purpose of his visitation is to help the Bishop work out what he really should be praying for. 

This is a profoundly Christmassy film - there's snow, angelic(ish) children, Christmas trees, a miraculous continuously refilling sherry bottle (now that would be some gift), ice-skating and a reminder of the True Meaning of Christmas.  

It's a fairly hokey storyline which is lifted out of sentimentality by fantastic performances from the leads.  Loretta Young is genuinely moving as the neglected wife, full of concern for her anxious husband.  Niven is good as the Bishop torn between the responsibilities of his new role & the promptings of his faith.  And Grant is a scene-stealer, bringing joy & laughter and significant amounts of sex appeal to the funereal Bishop's Palace - his (not always) angelic glow is almost visible.  There are also some great supporting characters -the maid Matilda played by Elsa Lanchester (best known for her role in The Bride of Frankenstein) and the skating taxi-driver, Sylvester, played by James Gleason.

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