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The Bishop's Wife (1947)
An angel uses ancient Roman coin to restore dignity to a bishop and professor
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The 1947 film "The Bishop's Wife" is based on Robert Nathan's 1928 novel of the same title.
Bishop Henry Brougham of an unnamed Protestant diocese wants to build a cathedral and is
having trouble raising the funds. His obsession has caused his marriage drift apart.
He prays for spiritual guidance and an angel named Dudley appears.
Dudley is a very charming man and soon has Henry's wife Julia and everyone around him enthralled.
A friend of Henry and Julia, Professor Wutheridge, has been working on a Roman history for a long time.
Professor Wutheridge gives Julia an ancient Roman coin of Julius Caesar to give to her husband,
the coin then passes to Dudley who takes it back to the Professor.
Both sides of a Roman coin are shown, it is a sestertius of the Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117).
1. Title
It is just before Christmas in a large city. Professor Wutheridge, a historian specializing
in ancient Rome, encounters Julia Broughham, the bishop's wife of the title.
2. Professor Wutheridge gives Julia a coin
Professor Wutheridge hands Julia a coin.
There's something I'd like you to give Henry, with my complements for his cathedral fund.
That has been my lucky piece, not that it's ever brought me luck except knowing you.
It's an old Roman coin.
Julia turns the coin over showing both sides.
3. The Roman coin obverse and reverse
The coin appears to be a sestertius of the Roman Emperor Trajan who ruled from AD 98 to 117.
It appears similar to a coin shown in Roman Imperial Coins as Trajan RIC 503.
The round marks on the images are from the black gloves that she is wearing.
A Roman Sestertius of Trajan similar to the coin in the film:
4. Roman Sestertius Trajan RIC 503 example
Obverse:
Laureate head right
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V P P
Reverse:
Pax standing left holding branch and cornucopiae, foot on Dacian captive
SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S-C across field
Laureate head right
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V P P
Reverse:
Pax standing left holding branch and cornucopiae, foot on Dacian captive
SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S-C across field
Back to the film:
Bishop Brougham lives in a mansion which serves also as an office.
He has been neglecting his wife and daughter since he became a Bishop, mostly because of his
obsession with raising money to build a cathedral.
He is always leaving his wife alone to meet with parishoners and boards.
5. Bishop Brougham with board members
Seated is Mrs. Hamilton who wants some special favors in exchange for a $1,000,000 contribution.
Later Professor Wutheridge tells Julia:
He now consults with the vulgar rich like Mrs. Hamilton.
Do you know she had me fired from the university here? Said I was a radical.
I, who have never taken any interest in politics since the death of Nero.
Julia heads home and shows the coin to Henry.
6. Julia shows Henry the coin
Henry dismisses it at worthless, walks away from her to a room with a painting of the
proposed cathedral, and sets out to pray.
7. Henry prays for divine guidance
His prayer is answered - sort of.
8. Dudley appears
Dudley introduces himself as an angel and Henry, not wholly believing him, welcomes his
assistance for office work. Dudley then heads for the office.
9. Dudley spots something on the table
He looks closer.
10. It's the coin again
He picks it up, then accompanied by Julia, heads Professor Wutheridge's apartment.
11. Dudley explains about Caesar and Cleopatra
Professor Wutheridge has been trying to write a Roman history book for a long time but
admits that he has nothing new to say.
Dudley explains some details about the coin.
This is one of the rarest of all antiquities.
Only 100 of these coins were minted by Julius Caesar 2,000 years ago.
That was when Cleopatra visited Rome.
Presumably, these coins were used to pay her hotel bill.
Nobody knew about it except Caesar's wife.
She did not share her husband's admiration for Cleopatra.
So she had these coins destroyed. Melted into ornaments for herself.
This is the one she missed.
It's an unwritten chapter in history, and you, professor, will write it.
Professor Wutheridge asks Dudley where he is from and Dudley replies:
"Suppose I told you I came from another planet?"
This answer may have been inspired by the "flying saucer" craze of 1947.
Dudley and Julia return to the house and Dudley visits the bishop's secretary and
looks through the mail.
12. Save the stamp
She asks him if he is expecting a letter and he tells her:
"But if I should get one, the stamp will be worth saving."
Dudley then sees the bishop and makes some suggestions.
13. Dudley suggests to Henry
Henry realizes that his priorities are misplaced and implies that he will no longer support
building a cathedral but will raise funds for helping people.
14. Professor Wutheridge shows Henry the coin
Henry visits Professor Wutheridge and apologizes.
I've got a confession to make to you, my old friend.
You sent me a coin. That was very generous of you.
And I was mean enough only to see it's commercial value.
Professor Wutheridge gives him back the coin and tells him that it is a museum piece and
worth a fortune.
Back at the office Dudley tells Henry that he is leaving.
15. Dudley says goodbye
Outside, Dudley sees Professor Wutheridge doing something he has never done before.
16. Professor Wutheridge enters a church
The bishop is scheduled to preach a sermon at his old church.
17. The bishop's sermon
The sermon is devoted to encouraging charity and not asking for money for the cathedral,
and Julia is now proud of him and realizes that things will be better in their marriage.
18. Proud wife
Cast, Directors, Writers:
Cary Grant as Dudley
Loretta Young as Julia Brougham
David Niven as Bishop Henry Brougham
Monty Woolley as Professor Wutheridge
Director: Henry Koster
Writers: Leonardo Bercovici, Robert E. Sherwood, Robert Nathan (novel)
Loretta Young as Julia Brougham
David Niven as Bishop Henry Brougham
Monty Woolley as Professor Wutheridge
Writers: Leonardo Bercovici, Robert E. Sherwood, Robert Nathan (novel)
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