The Bells of St. Mary's

Released Dec 7, 1945

2h 6m

Holiday

Drama

List

85%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

77%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is transferred to the Roman Catholic inner-city school St. Mary's, where he quickly falls into conflict with its headmistress, Sister Mary (Ingrid Bergman). Their primary disagreement has to do with the deteriorating school itself. Father O'Malley feels it should be abandoned and the children sent to other schools. Sister Mary and the other nuns, however, believe there is still hope, possibly in the form of charity from a wealthy business owner (Henry Travers).

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TIME Magazine

As Sister Benedict, Ingrid Bergman manages to combine beauty, great good humor and saintly dignity even while swinging a baseball bat.

Dec 5, 2008

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

[Bergman's] clashes with Crosby...are moments that will have an audience alternately laughing and sniffling.

Jul 22, 2008

Full Review

Tom Milne

Time Out

Rambling [and] embarrassingly winsome...

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Unless you like Bing Crosby much more than I do this is just an unnecessary movie.

Feb 28, 2020

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

One can see why those who love the film love it to this day and have such warm memories of it, although those approaching it for the first time may wonder what all the fuss is about.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 27, 2019

Full Review

Nathan Rabin

The Dissolve

The same qualities that make The Bells Of St. Mary's quaint are also the qualities that make it, if not great, then at least solidly entertaining.

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 19, 2013

Full Review

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Thomas D

I love this movie. Clean wholesome entertainment. If only our entertainment were so today, we'd be a better people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

Luke M

I would have been more entertained sitting with my own thoughts. Something about this movie was off maybe the lack of emotion or the forgettable characters.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

S R

Wasn't as good as Going My Way when the story didn't resonate the same. It seemed more contrived as this relationships developed. The music was good, but also forgettable. Saw on TCM.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/24/23

Full Review

Rich O

Wonderful Christmas movie with warm sentiment.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/23

Full Review

Victor T

Both Oscar winners from the previous year return to give Oscar-nominated performances, namely Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Vastly superior sequel to Going My Way. A veiled story of a priest falling in love with a nun. Crosby actually has depth here. Bergman is nothing short of brilliant. Her comic timing throughout, and especially while teaching little Eddie to box, is great. A simple story with big emotions under the surface. A lovely classic film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/30/23

Full Review

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Leo McCarey

Director

Bing Crosby

Father Chuck O'Malley

Ingrid Bergman

Sister Mary Benedict

Henry Travers

Horace P. Bogardus

William Gargan

Joe Gallagher

Ruth Donnelly

Sister Michael

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The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - Better Than Breaking Their Hearts

2:08

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - A Special Gift

2:12

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - Boxing With a Nun

2:09

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - Aren't You Glad You're You?

2:12

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - The Bells of St. Mary's

2:11

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - A Fair Fight

2:13

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - O Sanctissima

2:12

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - It's a Man's World

2:00

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Synopsis

Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is transferred to the Roman Catholic inner-city school St. Mary's, where he quickly falls into conflict with its headmistress, Sister Mary (Ingrid Bergman). Their primary disagreement has to do with the deteriorating school itself. Father O'Malley feels it should be abandoned and the children sent to other schools. Sister Mary and the other nuns, however, believe there is still hope, possibly in the form of charity from a wealthy business owner (Henry Travers).

Director: Leo McCarey
Production Co: Rainbow Productions
Genre: Holiday, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 7, 1945, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2020
Runtime: 2h 6m

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