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The Bells of St. Mary's

Play trailer Poster for The Bells of St. Mary's 1945 2h 6m Holiday Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Father O'Malley is transferred to the Roman Catholic inner-city school St. Mary's, where he quickly falls into conflict with its headmistress, Sister Mary. 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.
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The Bells of St. Mary's

Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine 12/05/2008
As Sister Benedict, Ingrid Bergman manages to combine beauty, great good humor and saintly dignity even while swinging a baseball bat. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 07/22/2008
[Bergman's] clashes with Crosby...are moments that will have an audience alternately laughing and sniffling. Go to Full Review Tom Milne Time Out 06/24/2006
Rambling [and] embarrassingly winsome... Go to Full Review Eve Tushnet Patheos 02/28/2020
Unless you like Bing Crosby much more than I do this is just an unnecessary movie. Go to Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk 12/27/2019
2.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Nathan Rabin The Dissolve 11/19/2013
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jay W 3d Two kids are getting into a fist fight at school. What is the solution? Teach the one who lost the fight how to fight better. Then when the two fight again, he successfully beats up the other kid. After the fight the two forget their problems with a big bowl of strawberry ice cream. Perhaps I am harsh on this plot point because I work as a teacher, and if I got into a boxing match with a student in a vain attempt to help him make friends I'd be fired. I'm not a doctor, but I think that not telling the patient they have tuberculosis because you're afraid it would bum them out seems like a bad idea. Telling a coworker the diagnosis instead also feels like a big no no. Outside of how 1940's all these solutions are, this movie is fine. Bergman is one of the greatest actresses of all time so she can sell just about anything. Bing Crosby remains charming as Father O'Malley. And this one even has Clarence in it. No wonder George Bailey wished this movie Merry Christmas. See more ed m 4d Good, solid old fashioned movie. Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman are great. See more Matthew D @OceanSage Dec 17 A faithful sequel to Going My Way. The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) takes all the charm and kindness from Going My Way and adds a level of critique of the church's practices. It is focused on helping school children succeed, marriages rekindle, and reformation in the education system. Bing Crosby continues to be wonderful as Father O'Malley. He feels very natural and kindly. Crosby portrays an easy going nature that is steadfast in his optimism. The lovely Ingrid Bergman plays Sister Benedict, his foil, as the strict nun with a sublime hopefulness and faith. Bergman is captivating every moment she is on screen. Leo McCarey's direction is even more focused on and thoughtful as he displays each point of view from these two figures in equal light. I love the songs, especially since Bing Crosby himself sings them. Ingrid Bergman even sings a song in Swedish towards the end. The score is lovely as the tunes are memorable. You feel like you are at home while watching The Bells of St. Mary's. See more Michael M. @mike2112 Nov 29 This movie has and always will be one that will always give me hope and love in the human spirit!!! See more Zegota S 12/14/2024 One of the best Christmas movies, tradition and family values are some of the strongest points. We sadly do not make movies like this anymore, have a great Merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year. God Bless. See more MG_Claymore C @Claymore 11/11/2024 I recently discovered this film after I converted to Catholicism and its become a tradition for me to watch it every Christmas. Its a classic, good, clean, wholesome fun. Lovely story. See more Read all reviews
The Bells of St. Mary's

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The Bells of St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - Better Than Breaking Their Hearts 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 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 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? 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 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 The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - A Fair Fight 2:13 The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - O Sanctissima 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 The Bells of St. Mary's: Official Clip - It's a Man's World 2:00 View more videos

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The Bells of St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Father O'Malley is transferred to the Roman Catholic inner-city school St. Mary's, where he quickly falls into conflict with its headmistress, Sister Mary. 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.
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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