The Bells of St. Mary's

Starring:Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers, William Gargan, Ruth Donnelly, Joan Carroll, Martha Sleeper, Rhys Williams, Richard Tyler, Una O'Connor, Matt McHugh, Gwen Crawford, Dewey Robinson, Minerva Urecal, Cora Shannon, Bobby Dolan Jr., Edna May Wonacott, Joe Palma, Peggy McKim, John Smith
Director: Leo McCarey
Studio: Republic Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

The Bells of St. Mary's works much better for its battle of wills between a parish priest and a head nun than the dopey musical interludes that pepper it, but Bells is still a winning, emotionally satisfying film. This sequel to Going My Way has Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) taking over the St. Mary's parochial school and finding himself at loggerheads with Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman, looking gorgeous even in a habit). There's a wonderful balance to all of this: O'Malley takes a more worldly approach to administration and is wrong just as many times as the nun is when she insists on a more biblical approach. About four subplots suffuse the film, including the story of a young charge from the wrong side of the tracks, and the deteriorating state of St. Mary's in the shadow of a brand-new building (the owner is played by the avuncular Henry Travers). A dear film. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews:

Bells Rung Sweetly.......2007-06-08

This version of the Bells of St. Mary is a clear, restored cut of the original version. Crosby and Bergman shine brightly in the staring roles of Fr. O'Malley and St. Bernadette. Leo McCarrey's script is a winner as is the supporting role played by Henry Travers.

A feel good movie for the whole family. So let those bells "Proudly ring out As we sing out Hail, Hail, Hail!"

Movie was good...but.............2007-05-20

I always have enjoyed this movie while growing up...was a holiday tardition along with Going My Way....

Unfortunetly..the seller sold me a black and white movie and not a colorized one..that was my only complaint..:(

Bells of St. Mary's.......2007-01-19

I loved watching this movie when I was a kid. I wanted to share it with my children too. My kids loved it. I thought it my not hold their interest, but they watched the whole thing. A true classic.

Bells of St. Mary's Review.......2007-01-15

This is a classic Bing Crosby "Father O'Malley" Movie. It is the original
black and white uncut movie. This classic movie has been shown on tv numerous times in several versions. It's a joy to see it in its original
form. It is the heart warming story of a new priest and a fiesty nun trying to save an old parish school in the 1940's.

The Miracle at St. Mary's.......2007-01-11

Father O'Malley arrives at the parish and learns the previous pastor had been taken away to "Shady Rest". [The lighting tells you this is a stage set.] He meets Sister Superior Benedict and the other nuns of the parish school. Earthly honors and rewards are not for them; they do God's work. The children recite the Pledge in the new fashion, hand over heart. The school has no playground; they had to sell it to raise money for repairs to the school. [The Great Depression.] Mr. Bogardus tells Father O'Malley that he wants their school; if they don't sell the Town Council will condemn it (eminent domain or zoning). A woman arranges for her daughter to be boarded at school; she needs special help. A new boy gets into trouble. What is the proper way to handle interpersonal conflicts? The Sisters visit a sporting goods store (remember them?) To gain knowledge on a non-scholastic subject. Father O'Malley helps a young girl with her homework.

Young Patricia's essay hints at help from an adult. Young Eddie has profited from his extra-curricular education. The Christmas play put on by first-graders shows elegant simplicity. Mr. Bogardus explains his need for their school property - his workers need parking for their cars (a comment on the return of prosperity). The Sisters tell Mr. Bogardus that they want him to donate his new building to their school! [The war time shortages of materials like glass are referenced.] The stress is harming Mr. Bogardus. A long-lost husband is reunited with his wife, and we hear another song. There is a question of school policy as to passing students who are not academic high performers. What is the purpose of schooling? Isn't it a means to an end, not an end in itself?

Mr. Bogardus suddenly turns over a new leaf, and donates his building to St. Mary's! It's a miracle. The doctor has bad news: Sister Benedict has TB in an early stage. [This diagnosis was often a death sentence before the 1950s.] She must be sent away for a rest cure, but she cannot be told to keep her spirits up and effect a cure. Patsy meets he reunited parents, and things will be different. Patsy graduates to move on to High School. [In earlier times those who finished Grammar School went to work at age 14; their education continued in the workplace.] Was life really so simple in those times? Ingrid Bergman shows her acting ability as Sister Benedict.

I remember another version of this film that may explain Mr. Bogardus' generosity. His plant was land-locked, even if he got a new parking lot. But if he was able to buy a large property outside of town he would have more than all the space he needed, and lower taxes too. No traffic problems either. So Father O'Malley arranged a deal that was a win for all concerned. The availability of plentiful food has put an end to TB in America. From about 1860 to 1950 it was the major cause of death in America. Did we end up with an epidemic of obesity? Its better to die of a heart attack at 60 than of TB at 30. Your results may vary.

Average customer rating:

Bells Rung Sweetly
Movie was good...but......
Bells of St. Mary's
Bells of St. Mary's Review
The Miracle at St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's
Starring: Bing Crosby , Ingrid Bergman , Henry Travers , William Gargan , and Ruth Donnelly
Director: Leo McCarey
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Going My Way/Holiday Inn
White Christmas
The Bishop's Wife
Going My Way (Universal Cinema Classics)
Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)

ASIN: 6305064520
Release Date: 1998-08-18

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Bells Rung Sweetly.......2007-06-08

Movie was good...but.............2007-05-20

Bells of St. Mary's.......2007-01-19

I loved watching this movie when I was a kid. I wanted to share it with my children too. My kids loved it. I thought it my not hold their interest, but they watched the whole thing. A true classic.

Bells of St. Mary's Review.......2007-01-15

The Miracle at St. Mary's.......2007-01-11

Christmas Collector's Pack (The Bells of St. Mary's / It's a Wonderful Life)

Average customer rating:

Double Dose Of Movie and Holiday Magic
how lovely is christmas

Christmas Collector's Pack (The Bells of St. Mary's / It's a Wonderful Life)
Starring: Bing Crosby , Ingrid Bergman , Henry Travers , William Gargan , and Ruth Donnelly
Director: Leo McCarey , and Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Going My Way/Holiday Inn
White Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)
Warner Bros. Classic Holiday Collection (Boys Town / A Christmas Carol 1938 / Christmas in Connecticut)
The Bells of St. Mary's

ASIN: 0782010792
Release Date: 2001-10-04

Customer Reviews:

Double Dose Of Movie and Holiday Magic.......2005-11-05

Ready or not, the holiday season is here!(seems like it starts earlier every year). Okay, so if you are in need of a little boost to get your holiday spirit revved up, start here! You can never go wrong with these two wonderful films. It's a double dose of Movie and holiday magic(and Henry Travers!), but caution..you won't be able to lose that smile! (also prescribed for anytime of the year you need that feel good feeling!)

First up: "The Bells Of St Mary's"

A beautiful sequel to "Going My Way", is now a beautifully transferred to DVD. "The Bells of St.Mary's" is funny, poignant and will tug at your heart strings. Father O'Malley(Bing Crosby) has now been assigned to a parochial school that is in dire need of repairs. The school has no money and O'Malley's job is to assess the possibilities, of perhaps sending the children to another school.He meets with some tough opposition though, in the form of one Sister Benedict(Ingrid Bergman). She is the no nonsense type, and right away the two have some very different ideas on what's good for the kids.There is also the problem of a businessman(Henry Travers) who wants the building condemned so he can put up a parking lot for his own employees.Sister Benedict prays for miracle, will she get it?

The story and Ingrid Bergman are charming and delightful and will have you praying with her for that miracle.Bing's beautiful voice graces the film with song and Henry Travers(It's A Wonderful Life) is wonderful as always. It's not too often a sequel equals the original, but with the addition of Bergman, (along with some really adorable kids)and under the direction of Leo McCarey once again, this heart warming story has accomplished that.

This Silver Screens Classic DVD has done a really nice job with the remastering of this Black and White Classic.The film made in 1945 barely shows it's age. It is a nice clear picture, and the Dolby Digital Sound is good as well. It contains the original Theatrical Trailer, Has French and Spanish language tracks as well as subtitles, and has captioning in English.It also comes with a little brochure with some facts about the filming.If your looking for some great old classics that look great on DVD to add to your collection, this would be a good one.

And who could resist: "It's A Wonderful Life"

You do NOT have to wait until Christmas to open this gift. Now that Frank Capra's wonderful film from 1946 is on DVD, it may be enjoyed anytime of the year. "It's A Wonderful Life" is the feel good movie of the all time.It should be watched anytime you need a lift!(Okay, Okay , you can watch it at Christmas time too!).

ASC(Angel Second Class), Clarence Oddbody needs to get his wings.George Bailey is desperately in need of an Angel. So the powers up above arrange a meeting. It's a story made in heaven.

Clarence gets to view George Bailey's life from the time he was a young boy until the present, when George is having so many problems he thinks he would be better off if he'd never been born (it may be safe to say we have all had days like that!). We watch as George touches the lives of so many from boyhood to adulthood. He saves his brother's life,he stops his boss(a druggist) from making a fatal mistake, he saves the family business, "The Building and Loan Assoc" from the hands of the Scroogelike Mr. Potter, is friend and mentor to so many, and although never gets to follow his dreams of travel, settles down with the girl next door in his town, "Bedford Falls".

But things start going amiss for poor George,an accidental misplacement of a large sum of money, and the auditor showing up just at the wrong time, causes George to face loosing everything he THINKS is important. He's on the bridge, ready to pack it all in when his guardian angel Clarence shows up in the nick of time.Clarence shows George what life would REALLY be like if he was never born. It's not good! George must realize that "It's A Wonderful Life" before he can exist again.

Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey. He is just tremendous in this role. We see the full range of his talents as he runs the course of going from carefree, to distraught, to bitter and finally elated with life as he discovers Zuzu's petals have reappeared in his pocket.The petals that disappeared from his pocket when he disappeared from existence. Henry Travers is Clarence and there has never been a more cherubic angel than he. Donna Reed as Mary(George's wife) is exceptional at making a wonderful life for George and looking great doing it. And Lionel Barrymore is the mean Mr. Potter who we love to hate. There are so many other famous faces to look for that do such a superb job, here are a few...the great character actor Thomas Mitchell is the forgetful "Uncle Billy", Lillian Randolph is "Annie", the housekeeper, Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Bailey, Ellen Corby, the lady who only wants $17.50, Gloria Grahame is Violet and don't miss Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, mischievous as ever at the pool scene.

The edition I have of "It's A Wonderful Life" is not this Silver Screen edition, but is distributed by the same studio and has been remastered beautifully.

So it's clear as a bell(oh..I think an Angel just got his wings!)if you're feeling a little down, watch this movie and like Zuzu's petals, your smile will reappear.

Happy Viewing, and Happy Holidays......Laurie

how lovely is christmas.......2002-11-05

I was looking for the song " How I love Christmas" by Bing Crosby , but I finding it hard to find. I was wondering if you had it on file.
Thank you

Leo McCarey's The Bells of St. Mary's ~ Oscar-winning Original Cut [Import, All-regions] (Dvd)

Average customer rating:

Leo McCarey's The Bells of St. Mary's ~ Oscar-winning Original Cut [Import, All-regions] (Dvd)
Director: Leo McCarey
Manufacturer: Cine Korea
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Product Features:

Beautifully enhanced import from Korea made for dvd players in the USA/Canada/Korea (NTSC, All-Region).
This is the ORIGINAL theatrical version envisioned by Leo McCarey with the enhanced original English soundtrack (optional English, French, Korean subtitles.)

ASIN: B000N3LM9M

Product Description

Witty, heartwarming and utterly charming, The Bells of Saint Mary's delivers all the entertainment of its predecessor, the Academy Award-winning Best Picture (1944), Going My Way. Bing Crosby recreates his Oscar-winning (Best Actor) role as parish priest Father O'Malley, who is sent to revive the financially ailing parochial school. The easy-going O'Malley is immediately at odds with no-nonsense Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman in a Golden Globe-winning performance) on how to educate children. Beyond their delightful battle of wits lies a bigger problem. The skinflint businessman next door (Henry Travers, It's A Wonderful Life®) wants St. Mary's condemned. Only a miracle can save it now. How a devilish situation finds a heavenly solution remains to be seen in this captivating family classic that was nominated for eight Oscars®, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.

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