This film did not come about easily. The original director was William A. Seiter, who my fellow Laurel and Hardy fans might know as the director of the classic Sons of the Desert. However Samuel Goldwyn did not like how the film was progressing and replaced him with Harry Koster as the director. The angel was originally going to be played by David Niven, and the Bishop by Dana Andrews, and Tersea Wright as the wife. However Tersea Wright had to leave due to pregnancy. The wife was to be played now by Loretta Young. However she was under contract to RKO. Dana Andrews was traded to RKO in order for MGM to get Young. The Bishop part was given to Cary Grant. However it was discovered that Grant would work better as the angel, so Niven and Grant traded roles. On top of all this the preview did not go well. Goldwyn was unhappy with Leonardo Bercovici and Robert E. Sherwood's script, so Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett were hired to refine the script, both without reciving credit. The film did well with critics, but less so with an audience. Because of this the title was temporarly changed to Cary and the Bishop's Wife. Adding Cary Grant's first name to the title somehow did increase the box office results somewhat.
This film is a classic. It has a great cast, who are at the top of their game. Greg Tolland's cinematography is excellent as always (he also did cinematography for such films as Citizen Kane, Grapes of Wrath, and Song of the South). The script is fantastic. It is hard to believe, this film once had script problems. Most of all though this is just a very charming movie full of great heart and Christmas spirit. A must watch every Christmas season.
-Michael J. Ruhland
Resources Used
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/68818/The-Bishop-s-Wife/articles.html
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