The Bells of St. Mary's (Colorized) [VHS] Overview
After watching director Leo McCarey's 1945, black-and-white ode to sentimentality, it's intriguing to note how everything old becomes new again. As evidenced by 1998 box-office fare such as Stepmom and One True Thing, the "disease of the week" mentality has been tugging at filmgoers' hearts for decades. The Bells of St. Mary's is the "sequel" to McCarey's Oscar-winning Going My Way, for which star Bing Crosby incredulously took home a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the paternal priest, Father O'Malley. But in The Bells of St. Mary's, Crosby's undernourished, laconic technique barely registers against the luminous, playful gravity of Ingrid Bergman, who embodies the heart of a faith-abiding but forward-thinking nun named Sister Benedict. O'Malley is transferred to her poverty-stricken school, and the two square off, ultimately forming a respect and liking for each other despite the fact that the good Sister has taken ill with tuberculosis and Father O'Malley must send her away from her beloved parish to save her life. Sure, The Bells of St. Mary's feels outdated and even trivial in light of the successors to its throne, but it's still a contender. McCarey had the touch for striking a chord that hearkens back to everything we didn't get as kids. He fills a need, as it were, with his ability to reveal our human frailties. Too, he's got Ingrid Bergman, who makes us fondly remember every teacher who lovingly and patiently made a difference in our lives. The Bells of St. Mary's recalls better days and romanticizes a gentler way of being, as suggested when Sister Benedict, after overhearing Father O'Malley remark that sometimes a man must fight his way through life, offers simply in response, "Why not make him think his way through instead?" --Paula Nechak
Customer Reviews
"The Bells of St. Mary" (1945) is the follow-up of the multi-Oscar-winning 1944, "Going My Way." Both star Bing Crosby in one of his signature roles, Father Chuck O'Malley. This charmer aimlessly, the place of a sick priest Father O'Malley in St. Mary's School, where he must fight with a group of nuns led by Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman). Sister Benedict is said to be a Tough Cookies and a supporter of the rules, but soon realize that she is no good, and the light Father O'MalleyTouch brings even more of their humanity. They make a great couple, and everything seems fine, in Santa Maria. The children put on plays they wrote adorable, and the worst problem the school is a tyrant who is dispatched easily when Sister Benedict teaches one of his students for activation. Well, it's a different problem - the school is divided and in desperate need of a new building. Benedict, turns to his sister miserly Horace P. Bogardus (Henry Travers), who has just builtbeautiful new facility on the opposite side. Will be able to convince him to St. Mary's?
The plot of "The Bells of St. Mary" is rather convoluted and confusing. Sure, the film primarily as a vehicle for Bing and Bergman, and are very well together. Bergman's beauty shines through their habit, Bing and begins to sing some songs, including the Oscar-nominated "Are not you glad that you are?" Predictably, the association has been a huge box-office appeal, and "TheBells of St. Mary "has grossed more than $ 21,000,000 dollars, making it one of the biggest hits of 1940.
Director Leo McCarey also helm "Going My Way", and knew laughter and tears from the audience (which then get direct weeper An Affair to Remember "). He covered the holes meandering plot and script with serious levels of cuteness and warmth. Although the film does not explicitly Christmas, makes for a great film festival, becausehis warm tone. The film received several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director (Leo McCarey) and actor and actress.
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