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This week's «Film Friday« is a very special one: not only is it the first day of the year and the first «Film Friday» of the year, but it is also Dana Andrews' birthday. So, to celebrate all of this, I am bringing you what is arguably the most important film of Andrews' career, which also serves as a way to wish you a happy new year. May this be the best year of our lives. Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) follows three World War II veterans — Army Sergeant Al Stephenson (Fredric March), decorated Army Air Force Captain Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), and sailor Homer Parish (Harold Russell) — as they try to readjust to civilian life after meeting and bonding while flying to their midwestern hometown of Boone City. Al is a bank loan officer with a comfortable home and a loving family: wife Milly (Myrna Loy), and teenage children Peggy (Teresa Wright) and Rob (Michael Hall). Fred is a former soda jerk from the wrong side of the tracks who married hi...

Directed by Henry Koster, The Bishop's Wife (1947) concerns the tribulations of Bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven) and his increasingly desperate attempts to raise money from his wealthy parishioners for a new cathedral. To do so, he ignores everything and everyone else, including his beautiful wife, Julia (Loretta Young). His prayers are literally answered by an angel named Dudley (Cary Grant), who reveals his identity only to Henry. However, Dudley's mission is not to help build a cathedral, but to spiritually guide Henry and the people around him. While Henry is annoyed by Dudley's presence, the angel soon charms everyone, including the Broughams' maid, Matilda (Elsa Lanchester), and even the non-religious Professor Wutheridge (Monty Wolley).    In the days that follow, Dudley persuades the wealthy parishioners, particularly widowed Agnes Hamilton (Gladys Cooper), to contribute the needed funds not to construct the cathedral, but to help the needy instead, much t...