| “ | Christmas is supposed to be the most joyous day of the year. | ” |
— Rev. Biggs finding that statement, his faith, and his marriage all sharply challenged | ||
The Preacher's Wife is a 1996 romantic comedy-drama family film directed by Penny Marshall, and starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance. It is a remake of the 1947 Samuel Goldwyn film The Bishop's Wife and a co-production between Touchstone Pictures and The Samuel Goldwyn Company (who at the time owned the original film). The film was distributed to cinemas in the USA by Buena Vista Pictures on December 13, 1996.[1]
Synopsis[]
A voiceover by the child Jeremiah guides the viewer through the film.
Rev. Henry Biggs is the pastor of a small struggling Baptist church in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of New York City. Membership is declining, Henry is pulled in a hundred directions by his parishioner's needs, and the church's finances are in trouble. Henry is under intense pressure from real estate developer Joe Hamilton (Gregory Hines) to sell the church's property so that Hamiltion can build luxury condominiums on the site. Henry has also become neglectful of his wife, Julia, and his son, Jeremiah. Julia worries that her marriage is failing. Unsure that he can make a difference in his parishioners' lives and beginning to lose his faith, Henry prays to God for help, which comes in the form of Dudley, a witty and debonaire angel. Dudley tells Henry that he is an angel sent by God to help him, but Henry is deeply suspicious of Dudley. Julia, however, is instantly charmed by the handsome and unflappable angel.
With Christmas approaching, Henry's schedule becomes increasingly burdensome, and Dudley begins to spend most of his time with Julia and Jeremiah. Rev. Bigg's secretary, Beverly, becomes comically defensive and aggressive, believing Dudley is there to take her job. Julia's wasp-tongued mother, Margueritte, is also suspicious of Dudley, because she believes the newcomer will break up her daughter's marriage. Dudley and Julia go ice skating, and then later spend an evening in the jazz club where Julia once performed. After Henry confronts Dudley, Dudley realizes that he is falling in love with Julia. Dudley turns his attention to Hamilton, and manages to disrupt Hamilton's schemes to get Henry to sell the church. Henry now realizes that his family is the most important thing in his life, and he resolves to be a better husband and father. At the church's Christmas pageant, Henry finds his faith in God renewed and his ties to his family restored.
With his work done, Dudley gives the Biggs family a fully decorated Christmas tree as a gift. Dudley then erases all memories of himself from everyone he has met, and although he attends midnight service on Christmas Eve, no one recognizes him. Jeremiah, who has the faith of a child, still remembers Dudley, and wishes him a merry Christmas.
A subplot present throughout the film focuses on Julia's singing talents. Once a popular nightcub singer, she is now a star in the church choir. This subplot provides for several set pieces in which the choir performs and Gospel music plays a significant role. It also provides comic relief in the form of a domineering choir director.
Songs[]
| Title(s) | Performed by |
|---|---|
| "I Believe in You and Me" "Step-by-Step" "Somebody Bigger Than You and Me" "You Were Loved" "My Heart is Calling" |
Whitney Houston |
| "Joy" "Hold On, Help is On the Way" "I Go to the Rock" "I Love the Lord" "Joy to the World" |
Whitney Houston with The Georgia Mass Choir |
| "Who Would Imagine a King?" | Whitney Houston featuring Nativity Choir from The Preacher's Wife |
| "He's All Over Me" | Whitney Houston with Shirley Caeser and the GMC |
| "The Lord is My Shepherd" | Cissy Houston with Hezekiah Walker and the LFC Choir |
Home video availability[]
1997
Cast[]
| Actor/actress | Character(s) |
|---|---|
| Denzel Washington | Dudley |
| Whitney Houston | Julia Biggs |
| Courtney Vance | Rev. Biggs |
| Gregory Hines | Joe Hamilton |
| Jenifer Lewis | Margueritte Coleman |
| Loretta Devine | Beverly |
| Justin Edmund | Jeremiah Biggs |
| Lionel Richie | Britsloe |
| Paul Bates | Saul Jeffreys |
| Lex Monson | Osbert |
| Darvel Davis Jr. | Hakim |
| William Stiggers Jr. | Billy Eldridge |
| Marcella Lowery | Anna Eldridge |
| Cissy Houston | Mrs. Havergal |
| Aaron McConnaughey Shyheim Franklin Taral Hicks Kennan Scott |
Teens |
| Jernard Burks Anibal Lleras (uncredited) |
Pizza Men |
| Michael Jackson Derrick Simmons (uncredited) |
Robbers |
| Jaime Tirelli | Liquor Store Owner |
| Shari Headley | Arlene Chattan |
| Lizan Mitchell | Judge |
| Robert Colston | Bailiff |
| Victor Williams | Robbie |
| Juliehera Destefano | Receptionist |
| Charlotte d'Amboise | Debbie Paige |
| Delores Mitchell | Mary Halford |
| David Smyrl | Hanley's Waiter |
| Harsh Nayyar | Christmas Tree Man |
| Mervyn Warren | Pianist |
| Roy Haynes | Drummer |
| George Coleman | Sax Player |
| Ted Dunbar | Guitar Player |
| Jamil Nasser | Bass Player |
| Helmar Cooper | Johnson Keeley |
| Mary Davis | Bernita |
| Toukie Smith | Teleprompter Operator |
| Mozelle Allen Eloise Beasley Yolanda Beasley-Prime Cassondra Breedlove Dirk Chaney Brenda Childs Anthony Copeland Hayward Cromartie Betty Davis Valerie Edwards Kimberley Garrett Rutha Harris Carolyn Henry Gary Nuckles-Holt Teretha Houston Angela & Morris Jones Rose Jordan Jacqueline Martin Betty Matthews Rev. Corey McGee Naguanda Miller Sharon Mitchell Beverly Nixon Krishna Presha Jacqulyn Saunders Constance Small Troy Sneed Sr. Rev. Lawrence Thomas Ulisa Thomas V. Ranaldo Welcome Berta Williams Kimberly Wright |
St. Matthew's Choir and Band Members |
| Steven Brown | Drummer |
| Rick Carter | Bass Player |
| Sterling Holloman II | Lead Guitar Player |
| Reverend Kenneth Paden | Pianist |
| Dwain White | Organist |
| Aaron & Yakin Jordan | Eldridge Kids |
| Joshua Jordan | Donkey (Nativity Choir) |
| Tiffany Joseph Marquis Bowen-Wallace Lakeya Enos |
Shepherds (Nativity Choir) |
| Jessica Malloy | Jessica (Mary - Nativity Choir) |
| Amia Hart | Beverly's Child |
| Brittany Anderson | Sheep (Nativity Choir) |
| Christopher Malloy Tiffiny Graham Khalia Hamilton-Montouute |
Angels (Nativity Choir) |
| Andal Fequiere | Joseph (Nativity Choir) |
| Mark Gilbert Michael Marshall Shaun Purefoy |
Wise Men (Nativity Choir) |
| Christine Koon | Camel (Nativity Choir) |
| Anthony Biggham | Lamb (Nativity Choir) |
| Taleah Enos | Ox (Nativity Choir) |
| Jerry Brunsin Anthony Burnett Kevin & Phillip Mitchell |
Painting Singers |
| Uncredited | |
| Adam Alexi-Malle | Robbery Witness |
| Debbie Benitez | Liquor Store Owner's Wife |
| David Madison p | Defendant |
| John Rowe Jr. | Prosecuting Attorney |
| Ronald Sylvers | Congregation Member |
References[]
External links[]
- The Preacher's Wife at the Internet Movie Database
- The Preacher's Wife at the Movie Database
- The Preacher's Wife at Rotten Tomatoes
- Lines at Springfield! Springfield!