WHAT: The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
WHEN: December 16, 2026 1 PM & 7 PM
WHERE: Pickwick Theatre, Park Ridge, IL
WHAT ELSE: Pre-show organ music by Jake McDonagh at 6:30 PM; cartoon.
HOW MUCH: $12/$10 advance or $10 for the 1 PM matinee.
Advance Tickets: Click Here and select date and time (7 PM).
During the filming, Cary Grant and Loretta Young complained to director Henry Koster about being shot on the “wrong” side of their faces. When told about the problem, producer Samuel Goldwyn said to them, “Look, if I’m only getting half a face, you’re only getting half a salary!” The subject didn’t come up again.
“Sometimes angels rush in where fools fear to tread.” ~Dudley (Cary Grant)
We’ve got plenty of tinsel to hang on the tree this December when we present a holiday favorite we’ve never shown before! The Bishop’s Wife (1947) has become a Christmas staple, a 1940s classic that trails only It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 34th Street (1947) in audience popularity. Having screened several modern Christmas films in recent years, we thought we’d return to the kinds of movies that pack the matinee screenings! This new restoration of The Bishop’s Wife, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, will be screened on December 16, 2026. Nominated for five Academy Awards, this romantic comedy remains a yuletide favorite nearly eighty years after its premiere.
Dudley the Angel (Cary Grant) has a mission to help Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) raise funds for a new cathedral. Unfortunately, Niven misunderstands and thinks his suave, personable new houseguest (the Angel) has eyes for his lovely wife (Loretta Young). Originally, Cary Grant was hired to play the Bishop in the film and David Niven, the angel. Studio boss Samuel Goldwyn discarded that version shot by director William Seiter and started fresh with director Henry Koster. The result has become one of Cary Grant’s most loved films– and charming characterizations. The cast also includes Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester — and a few actors from It’s a Wonderful Life including Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu, in the earlier film) and Bobby Anderson (young George Bailey).
The story was based on a 1928 novel by Robert Nathan, which would later inspire the 1996 remake, The Preacher’s Wife. Some of the top talents in Hollywood worked on The Bishop’s Wife. Although the story adaptation was written by Leonardo Bercovici and Robert E. Sherwood, it had uncredited help from the legendary team of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett. In addition to its exceptional script, the film benefits from the cinematography of Gregg Toland, who was one of the finest cameramen of his day.
