To give "The Preacher's Wife" some credit it was entertaining but it didn't match up to "The Bishop's Wife" the 1947 Henry Koster movie which it is a remake of. You see "The Bishop's Wife" is entertaining, it is amusing, it is well acted and being what you would call a Christmas movie has that touch of magic which makes you feel good. What it also has is some wonderful performances from Cary Grant, David Niven and also Loretta Young although how different it could have been if original director William A. Seiter hadn't been replaced and Cary Grant and David Niven had played the opposite character which was how it was meant to be.

With big plans for a new Cathedral taking up all of his time, Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven - The Sea Wolves) finds himself struggling to meet the demands of the rich widow who is helping to pay for the building and his wife and daughter who he barely has time for. But having prayed for help Henry meets Dudley (Cary Grant - Notorious) an angel sent down to help him, except the way Dudley helps is not necessarily what Henry expects and as Henry's wife and daughter warm to the charming Dudley, Henry gets more and more jealous of this handsome stranger.

The storyline to "The Bishop's Wife" is both simple and magical and not just because it is set in the lead up to Christmas. We have a tale of a Bishop who has become so involved in building a new cathedral and placating his rich benefactors that he has not only become stressed but also failing to devote enough time to his wife and daughter. So we have Dudley an angel sent down to answer his prayers of help but in trying to sort things out the Bishop ends up becoming doubtful of Dudley's motives. It's beautifully fantasy like and has a feel good element as it delivers a warmth and wholesomeness.

It has to be said that "The Bishop's Wife" is both amusing and touching as you get the easy going nature of Dudley helping to sort out the Bishop's problems in his own special way. There is scene after scene of amusement from Cary Grant delivering charm as Dudley through to those magical moments such as the sherry glasses which keep filling up. But at the same time the amusement doesn't overwhelm the storyline as we watch Bishop Henry become more and more suspicious over Dudley, first questioning whether he really is an angel then becoming concerned at the closeness to Julia his wife.

But what is really nice is that "The Bishop's Wife" has that magical Christmas feeling. From the opening scenes with the children looking at the wonderful Christmassy shop windows, through to the ice skating and the church choir recital it really does put you in that wintry, Christmassy mood. But it never feels corny, these magical scenes are so wonderfully scripted and crafted that they achieve their desired effect of delivering warmth, stopping before they become too schmaltzy.

What also helps "The Bishop's Wife" to be such a great movie is some spot on casting even though David Niven was originally cast as Dudley and Cary Grant cast as Henry. Grant is absolutely brilliant as the smooth and charming Dudley turning on that legendary charm at every opportunity and delivering those looks of knowing which just make you smile and laugh. And it has to be said that David Niven delivers an equally good performance as the stressed out Bishop Henry finding the light hearted humour in this character but not over doing it to make him a joke.

But whilst David Niven and Cary Grant deliver two very strong performances it is the wonderful Loretta Young as the Bishop's Wife Julia Brougham which takes us on the journey. In those early scenes Loretta delivers every aspect of the loyal wife who undeniably loves her husband but is feeling ignored due to his dedication to his work. Yet you watch the life flow back into her as she is charmed by Dudley finding the fun that has long been missing. It's a beautiful performance from Loretta Young and really makes "The Bishop's Wife" more than just an amusing movie.

What this all boils down to is that "The Bishop's Wife" is a wonderful, feel good movie which radiates amusement and warmth. It is much better than the 1996 remake and through a lovely storyline, some equally lovely performances and by capturing a bit of Christmas magic it will leave you feeling satisfied, entertained and happy.