Potion of Christmas from ‘The Bishop´s Wife (1947)’

Merry Christmas to everyone! Learn from Dudley (Cary Grant), Julia (Loretta Young) and Professor Wutheridge (Montey Woolley) why excessive drinking of sherry can make you quite happy.

Interlude

I want to start a seasonal tradition with this post. Originally, my intention was to write about the whole movie and make it part of the category ‘Classic Ratings & Reviews.’ However, time gets even more precious during Pre-Christmas season so I wasn´t able to finish a complete review until the holidays. Which means that ‘Making A Scene’ will be the center of attention again, only one week after the release of ‘Atticus´s Final Speech from To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).’ In the future, these posts will not only refer to Christmas, but also to Halloween (for which I can already promise you a very frightening review in 2022).

If you read ‘Shots for Eternity’ there´s a remark which fits exactly to this post:

“I´ll lift this process to the next level and detect classic movie scenes which probably weren´t part of extensive discussions before. Neatly selected and pushed into the limelight of the world wide web.

I´m an independent scene hunter with a clear goal:

Finding hidden treasures which deserve more attention.”

When fans of Classic Christmas movies start talking about Henry Koster´s ‘The Bishop´s Wife’ it´s almost certain that someone will say: “Ohh! I loved this ‘Ice Skating Scene’, where Julia (Loretta Young) and Dudley (Cary Grant) seemed to fall in love. Nice shot!” It´s an amazing scene. No doubt about it. But ‘Potion of Christmas’ has that special extra feeling of community and togetherness that not many scenes can offer. By the way, the emphasis is on potion. And I will tell you why.

A visit from heaven

The angel without wings named Dudley (43 years old Cary Grant) and his mission Julia (34 years old Loretta Young) receive an invitation to ‘… some Yuletide cheer …’ from Professor Wutheridge (59 years old Monty Woolley) during a random meeting on the Christmas soaked streets. Wutheridge doesn´t now Dudley at all, as layed out very early in the movie, even if he initially pretends to do so. Nevertheless, he´s an old friend of Julia the title-giving lead character.

Wutheridge refers ‘to a little bit of sherry’ after they entered his flat. A cozy fireplace crackles in the background and invites to linger. But self pity surrounds the professor. For example while referring to an angel figure on his Christmas tree: “It´s disgraceful. However, it gaves me the illusion of piece on earth, good will toward men.” Or regarding his dream to publish a history book for 20 years and didn´t write one word: “That´s the whole story of my life. Frustration. It´s a chronic disease and it´s incurable.” Something extraordinary happens during the course of their conversation. Let the Christmas magic begin …

Three angels in one picture. Dudley (Cary Grant) on a divine mission, the angel figure on Wutheridge´s tree (Montey Woolley) and Julia (Loretta Young), an angelic woman. They enjoy the first round of sherry together.

Cleopetra´s coin

It´s very obvious that Dudley refills the glasses with his powers. The real question is: Why does he do it? Maybe he wants to make the professor drunk, so that he forgets about his problems? It becomes clear once Dudley holds a coin in his hand.

He begins to tell a story which I reproduce in its entirety, including characters dialogue, due to its important nature.

Professor Wutheridge resigns: “Same trouble as my book. Can´t find the words.”

Dudley lifts his hand: “Even when you had this coin to inspire you?”

Julia answers: “Why, that´s the one you gave to Henry, professor.”

Dudley admits: “Yes, I stole it of the table.”

Professor Wutheridge replies: “You wasted your time, Dudley. It´s worthless.”

Dudley says: “Oh, on the contrary, this is one of the rarest of all antiquities. Only 100 of these coins were minted by Julias Caesar 2000 years ago. That was when Cleopetra visited Rome. Presumably, these coins were used to pay her hotel bill.”

Professor Wutheridge is visibly surprised: “I never knew that.”

Dudley answers: “No, nobody knew about it except Caesar´s wife.”

Julia notes: “She was suspicious?”

Dudley continues: “Definitely. She did not share her husband´s admiration for Cleopetra. 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.”

While he utters the last sentence, the professor receives the next refill.

Dudley just gave him a purpose. Literally, a potion of hope.

According to Dudley (Cary Grant), this coin is one of the rarest of all antiquities. Julia (Loretta Young) and Professor Wutheridge (Montey Woolley) are listening carefully.

Making history with history. Dudley breaks the professor´s years-long writer’s block with a 2000-year-old story.

Everyone has a planet

Now, the professor wants to know more about Dudley´s background.

Dudley answers: “Supposing I told you I came from another planet. Would you believe me?”

Professor Wutheridge is confused: “I don´t know.”

Julia cheerful: “I believe you, Dudley.”

Dudley: “And you´d be right, Julia, as always. We all come from our own little planets. That´s why we´re all different. That´s what makes life interesting.”

It´s a special way of thinking and sounds nice. Everybody has it´s individual, life shaped planet. Unique as a human being.

The overall story line of ‘The Bishop´s Wife’ is also not missed out in this scene. It is obvious that both are attracted to each other.

Dudley (Cary Grant) and Julia (Loretta Young) sharing a moment together at the window.

A newborn writer

Dudley assures: “You´ll finish your history, professor. You´ll have time.”

It’s beautiful to see and warms your heart once it´s clear that a higher being with the knowledge of the future tells the old man that his wish to finish a history book will come true. Professor Wutheridge has no idea that he just talks to an angel. But he believes Dudley anyway. The scene reflects the pure essence of Christmas. Charity for a desperate soul in need. Dudley feels this from the beginning.

Shortly before leaving, he returns the coin to the professor. It´s a symbolic gesture to lay the foundation stone for his book.

Professor Wutheridge (Montey Woolley) sends greetings to his friends before they leave: “God bless you both.” Dudley (Cary Grant) replies: “Thank you. I´ll pass that recommendation along.”

The final refill. Dudley guaranteed that the bottle will stay full. Forever. Cheers! Near the end of the movie, Julia´s husband Henry (David Niven) also visits the professor (Montey Woolley). Wotheridge defines ‘The Potion of Christmas’ during that meeting and couldn´t explain it better: “It stimulates, it warms, it inspires … but no matter how much you drink, it never inebriates.”

Rating:

I like this scene very much. Everyone talks about the Christmas feeling that should arise everyone, if possible. After watching ‘Potion of Christmas from The Bishop´s Wife’ you come closer to this state. Young, Grant and Woolley play with a lightness that is infectious in a good way and draws you into the professor’s apartment.

The dialogues of all three protagonists are well coordinated, which is due to the great script by Robert E. Sherwood.

There is a gigantic selection of Classic Christmas movies from all over the world and ‘The Bishop´s Wife’ is definitely worth your time.

There is no denying that this film has some similarities with the legendary Christmas classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ released one year earlier. There´s also an angel without wings, which helps a desperate man in need. In overall comparison, ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ doesn’t come close to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ but ‘Potion of Christmas’ does keep up with some of the best moments very well.

As a special, I also recommend watching the trailer. There you can see Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven in a short on-set tour at the original Samuel Goldwyn Studios.

Complete rating for ‘Potion of Christmas from The Bishop´s Wife (1947):

‘Potion of Christmas from The Bishop´s Wife (1947)’ reached the ‘Breathless Heights’ on the ‘Rating Mountain:’

Thanks for reading.

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