A debonair angel comes to Earth to help an Episcopalian bishop and his wife in their quest to raise money for the new church.A debonair angel comes to Earth to help an Episcopalian bishop and his wife in their quest to raise money for the new church.A debonair angel comes to Earth to help an Episcopalian bishop and his wife in their quest to raise money for the new church.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
- Mrs. Ward
- (as Ann O'Neal)
- Defense Captain
- (as Bobby Anderson)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOriginally Cary Grant played the bishop and David Niven the angel. When original director William A. Seiter left the film, Henry Koster replaced him and viewed what had been shot so far. He realized that the two were in the wrong roles. It took some convincing because Grant wanted the title role of the Bishop. He eventually accepted the change and his role as the angel was one of the most widely praised of his career.
- GoofsObvious stunt double when Dudley shows Julia how he can spin on the ice; he appears shorter and seems to be wearing dark-rimmed glasses.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Henry Brougham: Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry. A blazing star hung over a stable and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries; we celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells and with gifts. But especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. We forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled... all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It's his birthday we are celebrating. Don't ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most... and then let each put in his share. Loving kindness, warm hearts and the stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.
- Alternate versionsAlso available in a computer colorized version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Soundman (1950)
The original piece is named NOEL, and it was composed by Charles Gounod (1818-1893)as a classical church piece. It is not a hymn at all (in the sense that Gregorian Chants aren't hymns), but was translated for film purposes from the original church music.
It can be ordered from AMAZON.COM, the entire title is
CHARLES GOUNOD Musica sacra
and it is track 8 on the CD. I have loved this movie with the Boychoir performance all my adult life. Yes, I know how primitive and predictable this film is when measured by the whiz-bang techno-blitz of today's movies.. but I suppose that's why I love it so.. it's a retrospective trip where for a scant hour-fifty I can revisit some of the familiar stuff that was around when life really did seem a bit simpler.. having said that, it was pretty tame even at the time. But when the Middle East is ablaze with hostility, and no one can agree on anything anymore, I find it somehow reassuring that elements of this movie still have a universal appeal.
- caldwell05
- Jul 16, 2006
- Permalink
Holiday Movie Posters We Love
Holiday Movie Posters We Love
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Un enviado del cielo
- Filming locations
- Loring Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA(snowball fight scene)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $44
- Runtime1 hour 49 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1