The Bishop's Wife | 
 enlarge | Director: Henry Koster
Actors: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $9.99
You Save: $4.99 (33%)
New (35) Used (20) Collectible (2) from $6.91
Rating:  131 reviews
Sales Rank: 336
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 109
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: MGMD1001581D
ISBN: 0792849140
UPC: 027616858917
EAN: 9780792849148
ASIN: B000056HE9
Theatrical Release Date: February 16, 1948
Release Date: March 6, 2001
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
A bishop trying to get a new cathedral built prays for guidance. An angel (cary grant) arrives but his guidance isnt about fundraising. Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 10/17/2006 Starring: Cary Grant David Niven Run time: 109 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Henry Koster
Amazon.com
Perhaps if The Bishop's Wife had lapsed on its copyright and fallen into the public domain like It's a Wonderful Life, it would be as much a Christmas staple as that classic. It certainly deserves to be. Dudley (Cary Grant) is an angel sent down by the prayers of a new bishop (David Niven). The bishop is trying to build a new cathedral, and he's so entrenched in his fundraising that he's watching his own marriage crumble around him. Loretta Young is devoted, moist-eyed, and basically a great date for the tempted Dudley. They drink in the afternoon, go skating at night, and make impulse buys. The skating sequence beats mightily on one's suspension of disbelief, but the rest of the film is an absolute joy. Grant is suave, worldly, and enchanting. A wonderful present for anyone who has not seen it. --Keith Simanton
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| Customer Reviews: Read 126 more reviews...
 The Bishop's Wife DVD January 7, 2009
I have loved this movie for a long time, and was thrilled to find it available on Amazon in DVD format. It is a great "old" movie classic.
Talk about brilliant casting January 6, 2009
This movie has one of the most brilliant bits of casting ever. I mean, (from a woman's perspective) if an angel were to appear on earth, what better form could he possibly manifest than that of Cary Grant?
Originally, Grant was supposed to play the part of the Bishop, which is well-played by David Niven, and Niven was supposed to play Dudley the angel. Grant reportedly insisted on taking the angel's part, however. He plays it to perfection, right down to the soulful look in his liquid brown eyes.
This is one of the best classic holiday movies. It is not shown as much as "It's a Wonderful Life," and though it is warm and sentimental, it not too sticky-sweet to tolerate.
A classic December 29, 2008
If you enjoy Christmas classics, you must add this one to your collection. Great storyline.
Classic DVD December 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Very satisfied with packaging, shipping and promptness of delivery. Was also thrilled at the availability of this film.
Near-Perfect December 21, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of my very favorite Christmas classics. Though I hadn't heard of and didn't see the film until 1980, it immediately joined the ranks of my holiday favorites - at the top of the list. Here's why:
1. Cary Grant as an angel. This is perfect casting and the elegant Mr. Grant plays Dudley with effortless aplomb and grace. The role was made for him and without him the film would probably not be the classic it is (who else could've played an angel and not seemed ridiculous?). Watching each woman in the film fall under his charismatic and kindly spell is special fun.
2. A wonderful supporting cast: Loretta Young, David Niven, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Monty Woolley, Sara Haden, Regis Toomey. This is a splendid ensemble cast and every member delivers. I especially enjoy the great Glady's Cooper's arrogant and demanding aristocrat, Mrs. Hamilton, who becomes putty in Dudley's presence, and the always excellent James Gleason as the cabby, Sylvester. But Niven, Lanchester, Woolley and Haden are all standouts. Loretta Young's soft and astonishing beauty assist her well in the title role as the rather sheltered and innocent but increasingly unhappy wife of a bishop (Niven) who is in the process of losing his way.
3. A good old fashioned Christmas message. The moral of the story is that Christmas is about peace on earth and goodwill toward others, not material objects (gifts, cathedrals, etc.) or personal glory. The plot delivers this message gently and well.
4. It's a Sam Goldwyn film, so it's first rate. Aside from the long, deep list of stars and solid supporting actors, the production is sleek and goodlooking, the plot is engaging, the script facile and often clever and amusing.
Since I first saw "The Bishop's Wife," I've become aware of other classic holiday films (THANKS TO TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES) that were unknown to me before: "Meet Me in St. Louis" (Judy Garland) and "Christmas in Connecticut" (Barbara Stanwyck) in particular. In fact these three are my favorites. Add the 1984 TV version of "A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott and the 1970 musical, "Scrooge," with Albert Finney and you have five peerless Christmas classics.
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