The Bishop's Wife

Dear Erica,

Penny Marshall remade this Christmas classic in the 90's as The Preacher's Wife, starring a pre-crack Whitney Houston. I saw it in the middle of February for a couple bucks in a second run movie theater, which is about what it deserved. What it really should have been called was The Preachy Wife because it slaps you in the forehead with all kinds of gag inducing morals. And it certainly has nothing on The Bishop's Wife, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven.

Cary Grant has been quoted as saying: "Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant." Well, add me to that list. There is something so perfect about him, even though I have never been able to quite put my finger on what that is. Perhaps that's the allure. He has something magical about him that's so far beyond the "it factor" that it makes him somehow untouchable. And while George Clooney is coming close these days, he remains in a league all his own. James Stewart had Harvey to best show his gentle side, and Grant in turn had The Bishop's Wife. As the angel named Dudley, he is truly magical in every way.

Normally I can take or leave Loretta Young. She never really captured my interest, but she is captivating in the title role. It's easy to see why Cary Grant falls in love with her, which just happens to be his cue to leave since she is married to the bishop after all.


This is not on the same level as It's a Wonderful Life, but what is? Still it's a low key Christmas classic that gently takes its time and fills your heart with a healthy dose of warm fuzzies.

Till next time,
Bradley