An angel named Dudley

A little bit of early Christmas.

Turner Classic was running a day of films of a particular actor for the month of August, and on the David Niven day, I caught a favorite - THE BISHOP'S WIFE. Some would argue this is a Cary Grant movie, but who cares - they are both delightful.

Niven is the Bishop, Loretta Young is the Bishop's wife, and Grant is the angel Dudley, sent from above to help out the new Bishop get the funding for his new cathedral. And, because Dudley is played by Cary Grant, he charms the pants off of everyone in sight - and even begins to tempt the Bishop's wife. Egads!

In the spirit of all Christmas-y movies, Dudley is sent to show the Bishop that other things in life matter more than money - his family, the community he left at his old parish, ice skating, even the taxi cab driver. It's also hilarious (Niven and Grant are great comedic actors), in the manner that only old movies seem to be - and heartwarming without being shlocky.

I will be sure to watch this again in a few months as I'm wrapping gifts.