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The Bells of St. Mary's
RRP: $14.98Our Price: $6.86 (subject to change)Editorial
Product Description
0
Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: NR
Street Date: 10/14/03
Wide Screen: no
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
Language: ENGLISH
Foreign Film: noSubtitles: no
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: yes
Re-Release: no
Packaging: Sleeve
Editorial
Amazon.com essential video
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 Sure, The Bells of St. Mary's feels outdated and even trivial in light of the successors to its throne, but it's still a contender.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
Bing CrosbyReview date: 2010-05-14 Rating: 10 out of 10I love Bing's "laid-bask" style in these movies (and his voice is certainly a gift)! Ingrid is his match in this movie, she makes the part believable!
ReviewsYa Gotta Love Bing!Review date: 2010-02-17 Rating: 8 out of 10This is the sequel to the oscar winning movie "Going my Way" which also starred Bing Crosby. Although this is a very good movie and is considered a Christmas classic, I felt it lagged a bit in places. The most entertaining part of the movie in my opinion was at the very beginning and involved a kitten. This is a feel-good movie from way back when and well worth the money spent, but if you are only buying one, I recommend "Going my Way". It shines.Warm & enjoyable but meandering filmReview date: 2010-02-09 Rating: 8 out of 10"The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945) is the follow-up to the multi-Oscar winner from 1944, "Going My Way." Both star Bing Crosby in one of his signature roles, Father Chuck O'Malley. In this aimless charmer, Father O'Malley replaces an ailing priest at St. Mary's school, where he has to contend with a batch of nuns lead by Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman). Sister Benedict is supposedly one tough cookie and a stickler for the rules, but we soon see that she's a softie, and Father O'Malley's light touch brings out even more of her humanity. They make a great pair, and all seems well at St. Mary's. The children put on adorable plays they wrote themselves, and the worst problem facing the school is a bully who is easily dispatched when Sister Benedict teaches one of her pupils to box. Well, there is one other problem - the school is decaying and they desperately need a new building. So Sister Benedict turns to the miserly Horace P. Bogardus (Henry Travers) who has just built a beautiful new facility across the street. Will she be able to convince him to help St. Mary's?
The plot of "The Bells of St. Mary's" is rather meandering and unfocused. Clearly, the movie exists primarily as a vehicle for Bing and Bergman, and they are very good together. Bergman's beauty shines through her nun's habit, and Bing gets to sing a few songs, including the Oscar nominated "Aren't You Glad You're You?" Predictably, the pairing was a major box office draw, and "The Bells of St. Mary's" grossed over $21 million dollars, making it one of the biggest hits of the 1940s.
Director Leo McCarey also helmed "Going My Way," and he certainly knew how to get laughs and tears from his audience (he would later direct the weeper, "An Affair to Remember"). He covered up the plot holes and meandering script with serious levels of cuteness and warmth. Indeed, even though the film is not explicitly about Christmas, it makes for a terrific holiday movie because of its warm tone. The movie received numerous Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Director (Leo McCarey), and Actor and Actress.
MovieReview date: 2010-02-09 Rating: 10 out of 10Best Movie Ever! One of my all time favorites. So glad I have this one in my collection!Bells of St. Mary'sReview date: 2010-02-08 Rating: 10 out of 10Wonderful film with great acting by beloved stars. Those of us who attended Catholic schools can remember with a smile many of the scenes in this film from actual experience. Loved it.
Product Details/SpecificationsActor(s):
William Gargan
Ingrid Bergman
Ruth Donnelly
Bing Crosby
Henry Travers
Creators:
George Barnes (Cinematographer)
Leo McCarey (Producer)
Leo McCarey (Writer)
Harry Marker (Editor)
Dudley Nichols (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Republic Pictures Manufacturer: Republic PicturesEAN: 0017153147827Binding: DVDFormat: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC, Release date: 2003-09-23Universal product code (UPC): 017153147827Number of discs: 1Aspect ratio: 1.33:1Audience rating: NR (Not Rated)Region code: 1Running time: 126 minutesLanguage: English (Original Language)
Brand: IVE
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