Classic Movies - Christmas Classics: The Bishop's Wife

An Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham (David Niven), has been working for months on the plans for an elaborate new cathedral which he hopes will be paid for primarily by a wealthy, stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Henry prays for guidance with his cathedral. Dudley (Cary Grant), an angel sent to help him, arrives on the scene, but his guidance isn't about fundraising. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. Dudley quickly charms his way into Henry's life, becoming a favorite of his maid, his daughter, and even his wife Julia (Loretta Young), all the while preventing Henry from telling anyone what Dudley claims to be. Julia begins to enjoy Dudley's company, being completely charmed by his ability to do seemingly everything well. Meanwhile, Henry gets no closer to building his cathedral, and becomes increasingly angry with Dudley for taking over his family. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves Dudley, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family's affections, as Christmas approaches.

**Trivia Question for Today: In The Bishop's Wife, there was a change in the cast part way through the filming. Who were originally cast as the bishop and the angel?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: In March of the Wooden Soldiers, the "actor" in the "Mickey Mouse" costume was a capuchin monkey!

Trivia Bonus Answer for Previous Post: In March of the Wooden Soldiers, look carefully at the back wall in the Three Little Pigs' house, and you'll be able to spot framed photographs of "Mother" and "Father" - a plate of sausages and a football, respectively.