The Bishop’s Wife

The Bishop’s Wife, motion picture about an angel who comes to Earth during the Christmas season to help an Episcopalian minister find funds for a new church, based on the novel by Robert Nathan. Released in 1947, this box-office hit film won an Academy Award for best sound recording, and stars Cary Grant as Dudley the angel. Dudley acquaints himself with minister Harry Brougham (played by David Niven) and his wife, Julia (Loretta Young), but he uses his powers sparingly and keeps the Broughams in the dark regarding his celestial status. As a result, Julia develops a crush on the dashing angel and Harry becomes quite jealous.

Director

• Henry Koster

Cast

• Cary Grant (Dudley)
• David Niven (Henry Brougham)
• Loretta Young (Julia Brougham)
• Monty Woolley (Professor Wutheridge)
• James Gleason (Sylvester)
• Gladys Cooper (Mrs. Hamilton)
• Elsa Lanchester (Matilda)
• Sara Haden (Mildred Cassaway)
• Karolyn Grimes (Debby Brougham)
• Tito Vuolo (Maggenti)
• Regis Toomey (Mr. Miller)
• Sarah Edwards (Mrs. Duffy)
• Margaret McWade (Miss Trumbull)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Sound Recording (1947): Goldwyn Sound Department

Trivia

• This attempt to duplicate It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) initially caused much unhappiness for producer Samuel Goldwyn. Production began with William A. Seiter as director, but Goldwyn didn’t like the way the film was turning out so he replaced Seiter with Henry Koster and started again from scratch. Further, the completed film did poorly in front of a preview audience, and the producer brought in Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett to rewrite some scenes uncredited.