Merry Christmas! As promised, today I name my best Christmas movie
of all time. With only a little-tongue-in-cheek hyperbole, I believe
this movie is the best in the history of mankind. Whenever anyone
talks about which Christmas movie is best, generally 1946's "It's a
Wonderful Life" is named. With Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel
Barrymore, a great story and superb direction by Frank Capra, it's
tough to beat. Even though it didn't win an Oscar, it was nominated
for 5 and named most inspirational move by the American Film Institute.
My
favorite, however, is not "It's a Wonderful Life". It's 1947's "The
Bishop's Wife" starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. It
was directed by Henry Koster, who was one of the 30's and 40's greatest
Hollywood directors. Curiously, he is credited with discovering Abbot
and Costello. Anyway. The "Bishop's Wife" was nominated for 5 Oscars,
won one and remains one of the most popular Christmas movies from that
era.
The plot is about an angel (Cary Grant) helping a bishop, David Niven, who's lost his way. In a bit of humanness, Grant starts to fall for the bishop's wife, Loretta Young. There are lots of little miracles, great special effects for this vintage of movie, and a slightly melancholy ending. In all, the perfect Christmas story. Here's one of my favorite scenes:
Have a Merry Christmas.
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