The Bishop's Wife (1947)

David Niven: Henry Brougham

Photos 

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.

• Henry Brougham : I was praying for a cathedral.

  Dudley : No, Henry. You were praying for guidance.

• Henry Brougham : Are you expecting a letter?

  Dudley : Oh, one never knows. But if I should get one, the stamp will be worth saving.

• Henry Brougham : Dudley, if we should need you again, will you come back?

  Dudley : Not I. I shall ask to be assigned to the other end of the Universe.

  Henry Brougham : Is that because I was so difficult?

  Dudley : Oh, no. This difficulty was in me. When an Immortal finds himself envying the Mortal he is entrusted to his care, it's a danger signal. Take her in your arms and hold her tight.

  [Coming] 

  Dudley : Kiss her for me, you lucky Henry!

• Dudley : Well, if you had sent me to represent you with Mrs. Hamilton, I would've gone. You didn't. So I represented you with your wife.

  Henry Brougham : Is that part of the normal duties of a... of an angel?

  Dudley : Sometimes, Henry, angels must rush in where fools fear to tread.

  Henry Brougham : I haven't the faintest idea what that means. I don't want it explained to me.

• Julia Brougham : Well, you should have seen him with Professor Wutheridge. He knows more about history than the professor.

  Henry Brougham : He's been at it longer.

• Sylvester : Oh, you got a preacher with you.

  Julia Brougham : Uh, this is my...

  Sylvester : Oh, I know. There's gonna be a wedding ceremony - you and Dudley.

  Julia Brougham : Sylvester, this is my husband, Bishop Brougham.

  Henry Brougham : How do you do.

  Sylvester : Oh.

• Dudley : You have some problems with the building of this cathedral, haven't you?

  Henry Brougham : Yes.

  Dudley : It's a fine cathedral. Ought to look magnificent up there on the top of Sanctuary Hill. Well, Henry, do you believe I am what I say I am?

  Henry Brougham : Well, how can I? I've only got your word for it.

  Dudley : But you're a bishop. You, of all people, can trust the word of an angel.

  Henry Brougham : I'd like to. What do you... What do you propose to do? Perform a miracle?

  Dudley : If necessary.

  Henry Brougham : Well, why don't you? Why don't you create the cathedral with one wave of your hand?

  Dudley : You wouldn't want me to do that, would you? How would you explain it?

  Henry Brougham : Well, I...

  Dudley : Tell the world you're being visited by an angel? You can't do that.

• Mrs. Hamilton : Now, that large window depicting St. George and the dragon...

  Henry Brougham : Yes?

  Mrs. Hamilton : I should very much like the countenance of St. George to suggest my late husband.

  Henry Brougham : Uh, who do you see as the dragon?

  Mrs. Hamilton : Oh... oh, any dragon.

• Henry Brougham : Mrs. Hamilton, surely you understand that this cathedral *cannot* be designed for the glory of an individual. It has to be created for *all* the people.

  Mrs. Hamilton : I'm very displeased at your whole attitude, Henry Brougham. You seem to forget that I was instrumental in having you made bishop, although others thought you too young.

  Mrs. Hamilton : [continues]  I had every confidence in you when you were a poor little parson at church in the slums. I confess my confidence is weakened.

  Henry Brougham : I regret I've been such a disappointment.

  Mrs. Hamilton : Regrets and apologies are no good whatsoever. You give me the impression of being confused, indecisive and utterly ineffectual. That is not the kind of leadership we expect of our bishop. You better remember one thing. You will build that cathedral as *I* want it, or you will not build it at all. That's all I have to say.

• Henry Brougham : [the meeting with Mrs. Hamilton has just concluded]  What a ghastly afternoon. What a ghastly woman. And I trust she understood that I have no intention of being strangled by her purse strings.

  Julia Brougham : Oh, she did, and I was proud of you.

  Henry Brougham : I had a most un-Christian impulse to take those blueprints and give her a good whack over the... mink coat.

  Julia Brougham : I thought you stood up to her magnificently.

  Henry Brougham : I appreciate your appreciation, but what about my cathedral?

  Julia Brougham : May I make a suggestion, Henry? Why not postpone the cathedral? At least forget about it until after Christmas.

  Henry Brougham : Impossible. The house of God cannot just be put off. This cathedral must rise. Plenty of other rich people in this town, and if I had to enlist their financial enthusiasm, then I shall have to take advantage of their Yuletide spirit.

  Julia Brougham : Oh, I can see it all now, the McWhithers, the Hornes, the Van Deusens. The luncheons, the committee meetings. And you, you there, flattering them, kowtowing to them, *begging* them.

  Henry Brougham : It's got to be done.

  Julia Brougham : Oh, Henry, if you could see your poor, harassed face.

  Henry Brougham : Well, you haven't done very much to help it!