Sometimes Angels Rush In Where Fools Fear to Tread

I had never heard of my next movie before this Christmas season, but I wish I had: The Bishop's Wife (1947). Directed by Henry Koster (who also directed The Robe and Flower Drum Song, and several other German and American films), and starring Cary Grant (see my review on An Affair to Remember for gushing on his work), Loretta Young, and David Niven (who also played James Bond in the 1967 Casino Royale, and was in three different Pink Panther movies as Charles Lytton).

Obsessed with raising money to build a magnificent cathedral, Bishop Henry Brougham (Niven) had for too long catering only to that cause, and had become absent in his wife and daughter's lives. One night, he prays for guidance, and an angel named Dudley (Grant) appears to answer his prayer. Quickly melding into Henry's life, Dudley styles himself as Henry's new assistant, and tells no one else that he is an angel. Henry's wife, Julia (Young) and his daughter (Karolyn Grimes) take quickly to Dudley, and he to them. Henry successfully solicits funds from a wealthy widow, Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), but she insists that the cathedral be a monument to her dead husband, and Henry, moved by his conscience, refuses.

Dudley, in the meantime, takes Julia around town - ice skating, lunch in a nice restaurant, and even buys her a new hat she had wanted. He does all of this in an attempt to renew her joy, and remind her of what her relationship with her husband had been. Henry quickly becomes jealous, and, in an attempt to regain his family from Dudley, accepts Mrs. Hamilton's terms. He confronts Dudley, telling him that he is now to leave, as Henry now has his cathedral money, and his prayer will have been answered. Dudley calmly informs him that his work is not done, but departs for the time being.

On Christmas Eve, Dudley pays a visit to Mrs. Hamilton and opens her heart. She decides that she will give all of her money to the poor and needy, and no longer build monuments for her husband. Henry also encounters Dudley, and offers to fight him for Julia. Henry says he doesn't care that he could be killed (as an angel would have far too much power for a mortal to fight), but that Julia is the most important thing in the world to him. Dudley reminds Henry that he had not prayed for a cathedral, but for guidance, and is pleased that he remembers the importance of their love over material things. Dudley leaves, taking away all memory of his existence with him. Henry and Julia are more affectionate than ever, although they're not sure why, and Henry preaches that night with a new fervor, a deeper understanding of what is important in life, and a great joy.

The movie begins beautifully - show-stoppingly so. You see children sing "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," a nativity display, children's toys, a Salvation Army Santa, and joy filling children's faces. It would be so easy to be cynical about this first part, but it's so much better to find it dear.

I believe this is the first film that I have seen of Cary Grant's in which he is not the same character as always. While he does have a romantic lean to him, and he's still dreadfully charming; there is a whole new aspect to him. It's really quite wonderful. In this, he is more than the dashing leading man, almost as though he has a divinity about him.

I heartily recommend this movie. It carries with it a deep understanding of the season, and some very beautiful moments.