Father Bign Crosby and Sister Ingrid Bergman

THE BELLS OF ST. MARY’S: A Year of the Month article by Cori Domschot

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This movie takes place in New York. A parochial school has fallen on hard times and Father O’Malley (Bing Crosby) has been sent to sort it out. To either sell the property to an interested buyer or find a way to keep the school open. When Father O’Malley speaks to the nuns for the first time, he learns that a construction site that adjoins the school’s now small playground used to belong to the school. It is the nuns’ fervent prayer that the owner of the land and building, Mr. Bogardus, would find it in his heart to give the nuns the building for a new school. Sister Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) tells Father O’Malley they only sold the land because the school was in danger of being condemned. The money went to fix a multitude of things for the old building, that perhaps should’ve already translated to “find a new building instead.” This movie is heartwarming and moving. Two students seem to be focused on, Eddie Breen played by Dick Tyler (credited as Dickie Tyler), and Patricia “Patsy” Gallagher played by Joan Carroll.

This movie is hard to discuss without also discussing its predecessor, Going My Way (1944). Father O’Malley is played by Bing Crosby in both films. The story lines are similar and they are written by the same screenwriter, Leo McCarey. Both films were also directed by Leo McCarrey. While both films were nominated for many Academy Awards, Going My Way won seven out of ten nominations, while The Bells of St. Mary’s only won one (Best Sound Recording). The success of Going My Way definitely paved the way for The Bells of St. Mary’s as well as helping solidify Bing Crosby as Hollywood’s #1 box office attraction (Fristoe 2005). While the film didn’t win as many Academy Awards as its predecessor, it did extremely well at the box office. “The film earned receipts of $8 million in North America during its initial run, making it the highest-grossing movie of 1945 in the USA. It made a profit of $3,715,000, making it the most profitable film in the history of RKO. Adjusted for inflation, it is considered the 57th highest-grossing film of all time (“The Bells of St. Mary’s” 2023).

It is reported that Bing Crosby initially was hesitant to take on the role of Father O’Malley. Being religious himself, he didn’t want to in any way insult the church (Fristoe). It is noted that the movie was overseen by a Catholic priest who served as an advisor during the shooting on The Bells of St. Mary’s; I can only conclude one was also available for Going My Way, earning Mr. Crosby’s capitulation.

Ingrid Bergman was eager to play the role of Sister Mary Benedict.

After several serious dramatic performances, Bergman wanted to prove her versatility by playing a nun, and coaxed a reluctant David O. Selznick—who had her under contract—to loan her out. Bergman researched her role by visiting a convent and meeting Leo McCarey’s aunt, the nun who was the inspiration for Sister Benedict.

The filming was pleasant and relaxed, and became even more so early in the production, when the Academy Awards for 1944 were handed out. Crosby and McCarey were both nominated for Going My Way, and Bergman was nominated for Best Actress for Gaslight. On Oscar Night, McCarey won; then Crosby won. Finally, Bergman won. Accepting the award, she said “I’m particularly glad to get it this time because tomorrow I go to work in a picture with Mr. Crosby and Mr. McCarey, and I’m afraid that if I went on the set without an award, neither of them would speak to me!” (Landazuri 2003)

This film is extremely enjoyable. Anyone who enjoys Bing Crosby’s acting or singing will have a great time watching this film. Anyone who enjoys a good heartwarming show will also enjoy this film. This movie is frequently on rotation in my home.

Bibliography

“The 17th Academy Awards: 1945.” Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, March 15, 1945. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1945.

“The 18th Academy Awards: 1946.” Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, March 7, 1946. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1946.

“The Bells of St. Mary’s.” Wikipedia, December 30, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bells_of_St._Mary%27s.

Fristoe, Roger. “Going My Way.” (1944) – Turner Classic Movies, January 27, 2005. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/76588/going-my-way/#articles-reviews?articleId=87968.

Landazuri, Margarita. “The Bells of St. Mary’s.” (1945) – Turner Classic Movies, February 26, 2003. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/24072/the-bells-of-st-marys#articles-reviews?articleId=12793.