Rating: 
Summary: A Family Favorite!
Review: This film is one of the best of the Christmas Classics. The Bishop's Wife tells a story of an angel (Cary Grant) who comes down to earth in answer to a busy Bishop's (David Niven) prayer. The angel helps the Bishop learn to adjust his priorities and comes close to falling in love with Julia, the Bishop's wife (Loretta Young). The movie includes a lovely Skating/ Dance scene that defies description. Make this movie a tradition for your family this year.
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest holliday movies ever!
Review: Although not as well known as many other classic movies, this film has been an annual favorite in my family. It is filled with moments of humor as well as conveying the true meaning of Christmas. Cary Grant is fantastic as Dudley, and David Niven's character as the bishop who has lost his understanding of this calling, is believable as someone who needs a miracle. Do yourself a favor and watch this movie, not the 1996 remake!
Rating:
Summary: This movie is really good.
Review: This movie, not putting down Denzel and Whitney, is much better than the remake. I mean, is any remake better than the original? I haven't found any yet. The closest that I have seen is Sabrina, originally starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn. It was remade starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormand. It came close, but still did not reach the mark of better than its predecessor. The original is always better. Such is the case with this one. It is MUCH, MUCH better than The Preacher's Wife. I give it 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: The epitome of Christmas Spirit
Review: This movie, for me, truly says "this is what Christmas is all about." If you collect Christmas Videos, then this is a MUST HAVE!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Cary Grant movie!
Review: An angel comes to aid a Bishop at a time of financial need for his church...while tending to this business, he and the Bishops wife fall in love but it is never spoken of. Miracles are performed and the movie leaves you with a wonderful feeling.Very good film.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Christmas Movie Ever Made!
Review: Few people know of this movie but is a real jewel! The over-viewed "It's a Wonderful Life" pales in comparision to the wit, warmth and humor found in this uplifting Christmas Classic. Cary Grant plays a multi-talented angel that answers David Niven's prayer for guidance. The music, images of Christmas in the fourties and unique characters make this movie a must-have for any classic collector.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Christmas video
Review: This movie is a classic that I grew up with. I remember watching it with the whole family. It is a must see for anyone who believes in Christmas and Angels.
Rating: 
Summary: Loretta Young deserved that Oscar!
Review: Loretta Young deserved an Oscar and she got it the year this film was made, but for another role "The Farmer's Daughter" a comedy. While that was also a wonderful performance I can't help thinking that Academy voters were also thinking of this movie when they cast their vote for her to win against the odds on favorite that year, Rosalind Russell. In the first 15 minutes of the Bishop's Wife Loretta Young brought me nearly to tears twice the first time I watched this movie and many times since. Mind you the all star cast does not end with her alone, we have Cary Grant giving us a little piece of heaven right here on Earth. In addition, we have David Niven in a wonderful turn as a very believable (trust me I know!) Episcopal Bishop over-worked and harried trying to raise money for a new Cathedral. Monty Wooley, James Gleason and Elsa Lanchester were all wonderful. Gladys Cooper was also a scene stealer as the "selfish materialistic woman" that the Bishop must grovel to for funding. I wish they made wholesome faith-filled movies that still deliver a message of tolerance and inclusion during the Christmas season in this day and age. Well, I will go on wishing, but I recommend this DVD to watch for the time being.
Rating:
Summary: A Charmer
Review: "The Bishop's Wife" is one of the better Christmas movies out there. I wouldn't place it as high as "Miracle on 34th Street," but it's in that league, and certainly has a similar feel.Henry Koster does a fine job of giving the film a leisurely pace without letting it drag, and the performances are uniformly solid. It is somewhat of a shame to see David Niven stuck in a part that doesn't allow him much room for humour, as he can be so funny. And I do have to admit that Loretta Young's allure alludes me somewhat. She doesn't seem very dynamic for two men (or should I say a man and an angel) to be making such a fuss over. But she's certainly more than passable. One of my favorite performances came from Elsa Lanchester, in a minor role as the family maid. This movie becomes magical only once---during the ice skating scene between Cary Grant, Young and James Gleason. That could have gone on for hours and I would have been transfixed. But not every movie can be magical, and this film is a very good (if non-magical) one. Pop in on a snowy night, light the Christmas tree, make some hot chocolate, and enjoy. Grade: B+
Rating:
Summary: Charming but overlong
Review: Bishop: Are you expecting a letter?
Dudley: Well, you never know. If I did get one, the stamp would certainly be worth saving. That's because Dudley (Cary Grant) is an angel sent to give guidance to forlorn Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven), and who eventually lights up the lives of everyone else in the Bishop's life, especially The Bishop's Wife in this delightful Christmas film from 1947. When the Bishop prays for help in getting a new cathedral built (the local millionairess widow will only give if her late husband's name is prominently displayed), Cary Grant shows up as his "assistant" but soon makes the Bishop even more miserable by charming his wife Julia (radiant Loretta Young), daughter Debby, and even housemaid Matilda (Elsa Lanchester, always wonderful). The Bishop's Wife is truly "heavenly" with Grant playing off his tried-and-true persona. Originally Grant and Niven were supposed to have the opposite roles, but Grant decided he could do more with the angel role -- and Grant was a bigger star -- so they were exchanged. Good thing, too: I can't imagine Cary playing the indecisive Bishop any more than I can imagine Niven charming a woman away from Cary Grant. Only a few things keep The Bishop's Wife from being perfect. There is an overlong ice-skating scene that really stretches the believability (I had to keep telling myself "he's an angel; he can do anything), and the film runs on about twenty minutes too long. In the beginning, Grant is so taken by Young that, if he weren't an angel, those looks would feel really sleazy. Turns out that Cary is just discovering temptations, which makes the ending all the more noble. Watching The Bishop's Wife in June (during a Cary Grant festival on Turner Classic Movies) is a little strange, but the movie is so ... happy that it's easy to slip into the vibe, especially with all the Christmas carols being bandied about like so many candy canes. I'd certainly recommend that fans of the stars watch it at least once (especially since Loretta Young, whom I don't find all that attractive, is made, through Gregg Toland's photography, into a very appealing woman). Niven is rather on the milquetoasty side and his richest scene involves him being stuck in a chair, but the rest of the film is two hours of Christmas joy.
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