| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Cary Grant | ... | ||
| Loretta Young | ... | ||
| David Niven | ... | ||
| Monty Woolley | ... | ||
| James Gleason | ... | ||
| Gladys Cooper | ... | ||
| Elsa Lanchester | ... | ||
| Sara Haden | ... | ||
| Karolyn Grimes | ... | ||
| Tito Vuolo | ... | ||
| Regis Toomey | ... | ||
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Sarah Edwards | ... | |
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Margaret McWade | ... |
Miss Trumbull
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Anne O'Neal | ... |
Mrs. Ward
(as Ann O'Neal)
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| Ben Erway | ... |
Mr. Perry
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An Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham, has been working for months on the plans for an elaborate new cathedral which he hopes will be paid for primarily by a wealthy, stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Enter Dudley, an angel sent to help him. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves him, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family's affections, as Christmas approaches. Written by John Vogel <[email protected]>
Like "Life With Father," also issued in 1947, this is an old-fashioned "nice" film. Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven make up an impressive trio of stars, but Grant has the best role. He makes the best of it, too, with expressions on his face that are funnier than most of the lines he delivers.
One not-so-family oriented thing he does, however, as the "angel," is go out on dates with the bishop's wife (Young). No respectable married woman, especially back then, would ever do that. At least the two of them recognize this fact later. Niven plays the bishop and, as usual in the film world, is portrayed as a weak clergyman.
Nonetheless, it is a charming, feel pretty-good movie that entertains through most of it. There are a few special-effects in here, too, that are good even by today's standards. One example would be the Christmas tree lighting scene.
This would make a good Christmas movie for people looking for suitable films during that holiday.