The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Sometimes angels rush in where fools fear to tread.

— Dudley

During the height of the Hayes Code era and the sanitation of cinema, a lot of movies were subjected to rewrites. Religious themed movies boomed and that’s why we have The Bishop’s Wife.

Based on the novel by Robert Nathan, the movie went along to be nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture. This movie was remade in 1996 as The Preacher’s Wife with Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Courtney B. Vance. The remake is better this movie.

Bishop Jack Brougham (David Niven) is determined to build a grand cathedral that he cannot sense that he neglecting his own family. One night, he prays for guidance and a suave, debonair angel named Dudley (Cary Grant) comes into his office offering his assistance.

Over the course of the movie, Dudley coerces his way into the Brougham’s lives. He tries to steal Jack’s wife, Julia (Loretta Young). He uses his powers of persuasion to have everybody to obey his commands. It’s like they’re dogs. Women, children, the elderly, the help are under his spell.

Everybody fawned over Dudley. The endless stares at him. It’s like Twilight in the 40s. It got annoying after awhile. Dudley’s motivations turned me off to this movie.

Be prepared to roll your eyes constantly.

Judgment: This movie tried to be all sentimental. It’s drivel. Watch the remake instead.

Rating: **1/2