MamaGravity
good back-story, and good acting
Lidia Draper
Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
Ginger
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Spikeopath
Father O'Malley is assigned to the Catholic school of St Mary's, once there it becomes apparent from the off that his methods and ways will clash with those of Sister Mary Benedict. However, with the school under threat of closure due to financial hardships, both Father and Sister must come together in faith that all will turn out right in the end.The Bells Of St Mary's is the sequel to 1944s Oscar winner, Going My Way, tho not winning any awards other than for Best Sound Recording {it was nominated in the four main categories}, it is however a wonderful picture that firmly stands up straight in its own right. Obviously leaning heavy on the sentimental side in plot and meaning, Bells Of St Mary's is never stuffy, this is mainly down to the special performances of Ingrid Bergman {Sister Benedict} and Bing Crosby {Father O'Malley}, seamlessly working well off each other, even tho their respective characters are vastly different. Bing croons delightful tunes such as "Adeste Fidelis" and "Aren't You Glad You're You", whilst Bergman lifts the spirits in the art of pugilism!, I kid you not, it's a fabulous sequence.This is a smashing and delightful holiday movie, I dare you not to be enchanted during the Christmas nativity scenes, nothing more needs to be said really, give it a whirl and I'm sure you wont be disappointed. 7.5/10
Maddyclassicfilms
The Bells of St Mary's is the sequel to Going My Way(1944), it is directed by Leo McCarey, has a screenplay by Dudley Nichols and a story by McCarey himself. The film stars Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Carroll and Henry Travers.Father O'Malley(Bing Crosby)takes up the position of priest at St Mary's school. He finds himself at odds with the head nun Sister Benedict(Ingrid Bergman), gradually they become friends and both agree that the children need a bigger and more modern school building.The question of whether O'Malley can get their new building off the wealthy but selfish Horace P. Bogardus(Henry Travers) is the main storyline.However there are many excellent subplots including,O'Malley and Sister Benedict helping to raise a young pupil Patricia(Joan Carroll)who has come to them because of family problems and is very depressed.This is a moving subplot to the bigger picture.Ingrid Bergman gives one of her best performances as the dedicated Nun and a scene where she cries while praying is deeply moving. Bergman and Crosby are very good together and Crosby is again fantastic as the kind Priest who loves singing.
lastliberal
One person told me that he doesn't watch movies before 1960; others won't watch black and white films. They are all losing out on some great movie magic that has thrilled people for decades.I have seen this film numerous times, and I watched it again yesterday like the first time. At over 2 hours, I would guess it is unusual for a comedy in the 40s, but I can assure you that it lags for not one second.There are several stories going on and, while it may seem like a soap opera, it keeps you involved and, more importantly, entertained the entire time. It is tender and funny and a great example of movie-making when the actors were the most important thing on screen instead of special effects.There are so many good directors that Leo McCarey probably would not appear on anyone's Top 100 list, but you won't go wrong investing your time in any of his best - Going My Way, The Awful Truth, An Affair to Remember, Duck Soup, and this one.And, of course, there is Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Bergman most certainly had a separate room in her home for all her awards, and you have to hear the crooning of Crosby to appreciate the times.Like It's a Wonderful Life, this deserves repeat viewings over the years.
crimmins325
I've always said that had BOSM been the prequel to GMW, the former would have been more deserving of top honors in '44. Bing Crosby had been in pictures since 1930 and was enjoying unparalleled popularity (before or since), at the time, so the h'wood powers that be must have said, "well, why not...let's give ol' Bing an Oscar". In so doing, bing pulled in Mccarey and Fitzgerald also. GMW's sequel, BOSM, was more deserving of the Oscars, but didn't garner any. Ingrid Bergman gave a great performance as a nun (as in any part, she looked stunning). She should have won the Oscar, instead of Joan Crawford in "Mildred Pierce", a dreadfully shallow film. Someone asked how a swede could be a catholic nun, Sweden being totally lutheran. Mccarey did take some license here, but after all, she could have converted. Another license Mccarey took was Fr. O'malley's being sent from St. Louis, in both films, all the way to new york to work there. the catholic church really doesn't work like that. But, with such licenses, one must overlook them unless they are gross. Bing would have been hard pressed to beat out Ray Milland (Lost Weekend); so, in retrospect, it was good he did get top honors in '44. The supporting cast was miles better than GMW's, Henry Travers, Martha Sleeper, Rhys Williams, Una O'connor, Bill Gargan (he really didn't have much of a part here), and the child actors. The songs were pretty good, esp. the title song, Fr. Bing giving them his characteristic effortless renditions. Some reviewer at the time thought he noticed that Bing and Ingrid, such titanic personalities in the one movie, could be easily imagined to wink at each other in their scenes together. He was probably right. A thoroughly enjoyable film.
