Singing Priest Bing Crosby (returning as Chuck O'Malley, from "Going My Way") is transferred to "St. Mary's" parochial school, where he is immediately warned about serving with a group of nuns; they're hinted at being responsible for sending the previous Pastor to the nuthouse. "They took him away mumbling to himself, in a wheelchair," reveals gossipy housekeeper Una O'Connor (as Mrs. Breen).
Apparently, the departing Priest lost a fight with the nuns over philosophies of education. Quickly, Father Crosby learns "what it means to be up to your neck in nuns." He clashes with Swedish Sister Ingrid Bergman (as Mary Benedict) when the pair catch two boys in a fist fight. Crosby treats the conflict humorously (though, he does stop it), irking Sister Bergman.
Bergman has been teaching young Richard "Dickie" Tyler (as Eddie Breen), the loser, to "turn the other cheek." Crosby fears this may turn the boy into a sissy. Bergman sees the error of her ways, and uses her "tomboy" experience to teach the boy how to box. As a girl, Bergman played baseball and football with the boys, and had an impressive 300 batting average. Later, Bergman excitedly watches her ward handily score a TKO.
Crosby teaches Bergman another lesson, involving young Joan Carroll (as Patsy Gallagher), a girl Crosby accepts at the school, despite her troubled family background; her mother ran away with a musician, who deserted after the baby arrived. Crosby uses finesse to get Bergman to give the girl a second chance. Although Crosby's "O'Malley" is usually a good person, he informs Bergman of some "bad news" in a cruel, parsing way.
The main plot concerns "St. Mary's" being threatened with closure, due to its decrepit condition; however nice it looks on camera, the school is close to being condemned. Wealthy neighbor Henry Travers (as Horace P. Bogardus) wants "St. Mary's" turned into a parking lot for his new office building. The nuns are praying for a miracle, which Crosby's appearance may turn out "to be, or not to be."
"The Bells of St. Mary's" received several awards and nominations, including top consideration for "Best Picture", Leo McCarey ("Best Director"), Crosby ("Best Actor"), and Bergman ("Best Actor"). While likable, the film doesn't not reach the levels of excellence you'd expect from looking at its impressive list of honors. Still, the production is very good.
The younger performers - Ms. Carroll, Mr. Tyler, and Bobby Dolan Jr. ("Joseph" in the nativity play) - really help make it credible; Carroll's "Patsy" is especially noteworthy. Crosby's accompanying hit single was "Aren't You Glad You're You?" (#8) / "In the Land of Beginning Again" (#18). The topside is a pale re-write of the superb "Swinging on a Star" (from "Going My Way"), but the flipside is quietly sublime.
****** The Bells of St. Mary's (12/6/45) Leo McCarey ~ Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Carroll
Apparently, the departing Priest lost a fight with the nuns over philosophies of education. Quickly, Father Crosby learns "what it means to be up to your neck in nuns." He clashes with Swedish Sister Ingrid Bergman (as Mary Benedict) when the pair catch two boys in a fist fight. Crosby treats the conflict humorously (though, he does stop it), irking Sister Bergman.
Bergman has been teaching young Richard "Dickie" Tyler (as Eddie Breen), the loser, to "turn the other cheek." Crosby fears this may turn the boy into a sissy. Bergman sees the error of her ways, and uses her "tomboy" experience to teach the boy how to box. As a girl, Bergman played baseball and football with the boys, and had an impressive 300 batting average. Later, Bergman excitedly watches her ward handily score a TKO.
Crosby teaches Bergman another lesson, involving young Joan Carroll (as Patsy Gallagher), a girl Crosby accepts at the school, despite her troubled family background; her mother ran away with a musician, who deserted after the baby arrived. Crosby uses finesse to get Bergman to give the girl a second chance. Although Crosby's "O'Malley" is usually a good person, he informs Bergman of some "bad news" in a cruel, parsing way.
The main plot concerns "St. Mary's" being threatened with closure, due to its decrepit condition; however nice it looks on camera, the school is close to being condemned. Wealthy neighbor Henry Travers (as Horace P. Bogardus) wants "St. Mary's" turned into a parking lot for his new office building. The nuns are praying for a miracle, which Crosby's appearance may turn out "to be, or not to be."
"The Bells of St. Mary's" received several awards and nominations, including top consideration for "Best Picture", Leo McCarey ("Best Director"), Crosby ("Best Actor"), and Bergman ("Best Actor"). While likable, the film doesn't not reach the levels of excellence you'd expect from looking at its impressive list of honors. Still, the production is very good.
The younger performers - Ms. Carroll, Mr. Tyler, and Bobby Dolan Jr. ("Joseph" in the nativity play) - really help make it credible; Carroll's "Patsy" is especially noteworthy. Crosby's accompanying hit single was "Aren't You Glad You're You?" (#8) / "In the Land of Beginning Again" (#18). The topside is a pale re-write of the superb "Swinging on a Star" (from "Going My Way"), but the flipside is quietly sublime.
****** The Bells of St. Mary's (12/6/45) Leo McCarey ~ Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Carroll