Movie Cosmos - The Bells of St. Mary's

Description:

Father O'Malley is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements.

Top Cast >

Bing Crosby

As Father Chuck O'Malley

Ingrid Bergman

As Sister Mary Benedict

Henry Travers

As Horace P. Bogardus

William Gargan

As Joe Gallagher

Ruth Donnelly

As Sister Michael

Joan Carroll

As Patsy Gallagher

Martha Sleeper

As Mary Gallagher

Rhys Williams

As Dr. McKay

Richard Tyler

As Eddie Breen

Una O'Connor

As Mrs. Breen

Edward Coch Jr.

As Baby Jesus (uncredited)

Aina Constant

As Nun (uncredited)

Jimmy Crane

As Luther (uncredited)

Gwen Crawford

As Nun (uncredited)

Bobby Dolan Jr.

As Bobby (uncredited)

Jimmie Dundee

As Cabbie (uncredited)

Bobby Frasco

As Tommy Smith (uncredited)

Matt McHugh

As Sporting Goods Salesman (uncredited)

Peggy McKim

As Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Betty Jean Nichols

As Schoolgirl (uncredited)

Georgie Nokes

As Boy (uncredited)

Eva Novak

As Nun (uncredited)

Joe Palma

As Workman (uncredited)

Dewey Robinson

As Pedestrian Pulling Bogardus from Under Truck (uncredited)

Cora Shannon

As Elderly Woman (uncredited)

John Smith

As Choir Member (uncredited)

Pietro Sosso

As Blind Man (uncredited)

Minerva Urecal

As Landlady (uncredited)

Edna May Wonacott

As Delphine Ford (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Leo McCarey

Producer, Director, Story

Dudley Nichols

Screenplay

William Flannery

Art Direction

Darrell Silvera

Set Decoration

Edith Head

Costume Design

Harry Marker

Editor

Harry Scott

Assistant Director

George Barnes

Director of Photography

Richard Van Hessen

Sound

Robert Emmett Dolan

Original Music Composer

Louis Kaufman

Musician

Albert S. D'Agostino

Art Direction

James G. Stewart

Sound

Vernon L. Walker

Special Effects

Stephen Dunn

Sound Recordist

Reviews:

CinemaSerf (7/10)

With the possible exception of Julie Andrews, I don't think I've seen anyone more suited to the role of a nun than Ingrid Bergman. Here she runs the eponymous school for young children. The arrival of the new Father "O'Malley" (Bing Crosby) causes a few ripples - they gently clash on the approach to educating the children, but for the most part remain focused on trying to get their neighbour "Mr. Bogardus" (Henry Travers) to donate a building he owns next door, so the school can extend. Essentially an engaging triple-hander, this is an enjoyable feel-good film that demonstrates the skills of all three, very much in their element, with a solidly uplifting story and the odd bit of crooning from Crosby. It is a bit too long, but the ending is a little heart-rending - if also just a bit dragged out - and it has something of a Christmas feel to it that makes it easy to watch.

2022-07-01