Les cloches de Sainte-Marie

Original title: The Bells of St. Mary's

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

9.9K

YOUR RATING

Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby in Les cloches de Sainte-Marie (1945)

Trailer for this classic drama about a church

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98 Photos

Drama

At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building.At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building.At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

9.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 8 wins & 8 nominations total

Eddie Breen
(as Dickie Tyler)

Una O'Connor

Mrs. Breen

Edward Coch Jr.

Baby Jesus
(uncredited)

Aina Constant

Nun
(uncredited)

Jimmy Crane

Luther
(uncredited)

Gwen Crawford

Nun
(uncredited)

Bobby Dolan Jr.

Bobby
(uncredited)

Jimmie Dundee

Cabbie
(uncredited)

Bobby Frasco

Tommy Smith
(uncredited)

Matt McHugh

Sporting Goods Salesman
(uncredited)

Director
- Leo McCarey
Writers
- Dudley Nichols
- Leo McCarey
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The production was overseen by a Catholic priest who served as an advisor during the shooting. While the final farewell sequence was being filmed, Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman decided to play a prank on him. They asked director Leo McCarey to allow one more take, and, as "Father O'Malley" and "Sister Benedict" said their last goodbyes, they embraced in a passionate kiss, while the off-screen priest/advisor jumped up roaring in protest.

Goofs
Fr. O'Malley tells two nuns he grew up and went to school in Missouri. In "Going My Way" it was established he went to high school in East St. Louis, IL.

Quotes
Patsy Gallagher: [standing up in class to present a report] The Six Senses.
Sister Mary Benedict: Oh, the subject I gave you was the five senses.
Patsy Gallagher: Well, I chose for my subject six senses.
Sister Mary Benedict: [baffled and confused] Well, go on, Patricia. Go on.
Patsy Gallagher: The Six Senses: To see, to hear, to taste, to smell, to feel... to be.

Alternate versions
Also available in a computer colorized version.

Connections
Featured in Hollywood: The Great Stars (1963)

Soundtracks
Aren't You Glad You're You?
Lyrics by Johnny Burke
Music by Jimmy Van Heusen (as James Van Heusen)

User reviews78

Featured review

Pleasant, Upbeat Movie With a Pretty Good Cast

As the companion piece to "Going My Way", "The Bells of St. Mary's" shares the same pleasant, upbeat tone, and it has a similar story that, though stylized, has some worthwhile and thoughtful material. Besides Bing Crosby, the cast here features Ingrid Bergman and several solid supporting players such as Henry Travers and Rhys Williams.

As Sister Benedict, Father O'Malley's foil here, Bergman gives this movie its own feel, with themes somewhat different from those in O'Malley's debates with Barry Fitzgerald's character in "Going My Way". Everyone has their own preference between the two movies, but as fine an actress as Bergman is, it's really hard to match - much less top - the dimension that Fitzgerald added in the other film.

Probably each of the two Father O'Malley movies should just be enjoyed for its own merits. While the story here is hardly anything weighty, "The Bells of St. Mary's" offers good entertainment and some worthwhile, positive thoughts.