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The Bells of St. Mary's (Leo McCarey, 1945)
This sequel to the previous year's Going My Way seems to defy most films made nowadays and especially those made BACK in the day. Going My Way swept the Oscars and most films didn't get sequels at all, let alone sequels which came out immediately [or so I thought at the time I wrote this], but this film was quickly greenlighted and they brought on board the most popular female actress available, Ingrid Bergman. Bing Crosby reprises his Oscar-winning role as Father O'Malley, probably the most heartwarming and thought-provoking father any kid ever had to look up to. Here, he's matched by Ingrid Bergman as the Sister Superior of the school for students through the eighth grade. They sometimes quarrel; O'Malley tries to see the Big Picture, while the Sister literally follows the rules and tries to hold everyone responsible for their own actions, no matter what the reasons may be. Needless to say, it makes for some drama and misunderstandings as the plot plays out.
Crosby is really super reprising his Oscar-winning role, but Ingrid Bergman actually gets more chances to shine here in her role of a more-literal lover of God and the rules which gradually breaks down under Crosby's influence. This film is actually REALLY good, but it's a bit on the slow-motion side. All the stories are interesting and interpreted well, but they all do seem to be dragged out a bit more than they should. However, that shouldn't keep the audience from crying honest tears at the end.
This sequel to the previous year's Going My Way seems to defy most films made nowadays and especially those made BACK in the day. Going My Way swept the Oscars and most films didn't get sequels at all, let alone sequels which came out immediately [or so I thought at the time I wrote this], but this film was quickly greenlighted and they brought on board the most popular female actress available, Ingrid Bergman. Bing Crosby reprises his Oscar-winning role as Father O'Malley, probably the most heartwarming and thought-provoking father any kid ever had to look up to. Here, he's matched by Ingrid Bergman as the Sister Superior of the school for students through the eighth grade. They sometimes quarrel; O'Malley tries to see the Big Picture, while the Sister literally follows the rules and tries to hold everyone responsible for their own actions, no matter what the reasons may be. Needless to say, it makes for some drama and misunderstandings as the plot plays out.
Crosby is really super reprising his Oscar-winning role, but Ingrid Bergman actually gets more chances to shine here in her role of a more-literal lover of God and the rules which gradually breaks down under Crosby's influence. This film is actually REALLY good, but it's a bit on the slow-motion side. All the stories are interesting and interpreted well, but they all do seem to be dragged out a bit more than they should. However, that shouldn't keep the audience from crying honest tears at the end.