Les cloches de Sainte-Marie

I had the opportunity to watch both "Going My Way" and "Bells of St Mary's" one after the other the other night on cable. Without a doubt `Bells' was of the few sequels better than the original. The only other ones that comes to mind are "Godfather II" and possibly "Indy III" The only thing missing from this sequel was Barry Fitzgerald, but the pure grace of Ingrid Bergeman, more than made up for the lack of Barry's Irish charm. Bells seemed to flow more easily, had some honest conflicts to resolve (social promotion is still being argued today) and an ending I felt was just perfect. It's not that I disliked "Going My Way" on the contrary, but to me it was just a warm up to "Bells". Maybe after the tremendous success of the former, Bing became more confidant in his portrayal of a priest and was able to play it to perfection. A great movie.

What has always attracted me to the oldest films starring Bing Crosby as a priest has been the ability he had to transfer to the viewer a tremendous warmth and tenderness. Certainly, his lines were written, but they were more than mere lines, for he embodied the attitude and intent of them so noticeably that it is hard not to end such a film without wanting to emulate such a man.

From his son, Gary, from his book "Going My Own Way," one can read a different story of his father. He claimed that Bing was cruel, cold, remote, and both physically and psychologically abusive -- such hard words to take in when one can be so deeply moved by his performances, especially as a priest.

His son, Philip, disputed his brother's claims, writing, " I loved him very much. He loved all of us too, including Gary. He was a great father." It is Philip's words I prefer to believe, for no man could give as much as his father did on the screen and it not come from his soul.

Ingrid Bergman's face in TBOSM was very beautiful, as though she came from heaven herself. Truly, she was one of the most gorgeous women that ever graced yesterday's films, and she too portrayed remarkably well the gentleness and kindness we envision God to be.

Watch this film and be blessed.

This was a just a plain, nice story, one of those kind I tend favor simply they don't have any "bad guys" in them and still keep the story interesting.

I expected Ingrid Bergman's character, "Sister Mary," from what the liners notes on the video box said, to be a sort-of villain portraying a hard-line rigid nun but that wasn't the case at all. In fact, in her several philosophical disputes the priest "Father Chuck O'Malley" (Bing Crosby) I sided with her because Crosby was a little too liberal regarding punishment. (He never wanted to scold or punish any misbehaving kid., for example. No discipline is not a good idea, as parents know.)

The story is a little unrealistic in that a strong-willed business tycoon would not abandon all his business plans and hand over a brand-new million-dollar (today it would be many millions) building to a church. However, it's nice to see! These kind of old-fashioned films are almost collector's items today but they are pleasant to watch and pretty good entertainment.

1944's "Going My Way" was a wispy-thin Oscar winner with only Barry Fitzgerald's adorable curmudgeon-ness to lift it out of sugary banality; this sequel drops Barry, so it shouldn't be of much use. However, director Leo McCarey actually pulls off a winner. Bing Crosby is back as Father O'Malley, and he's more human here than before, and his warm, witty battles with sister Ingrid Bergman are a delight (it helps that Bergman is possibly the most glowing, knowing, embraceable nun in Hollywood history!). Their smooth trials with the students and each other at St. Mary's have a seamless professionalism that, while not especially fresh, works the audience over with sheer good will. A sub-plot involving a troubled young girl (the excellent Joan Carroll) and her mother is a dandy heart-tugger, and the light music involved isn't such an obvious device as it was in "Going My Way"; the songs are there, but they're unobtrusive. A very good film, one that triumphs over its predecessor. Bing proves to be a solid actor here, not just a personality; he makes Father O'Malley a reachable character rather than just a holy rascal. Watch for his hesitation at the very end, and the thoughtfulness he gives to the scene. Admirably, Crosby gives back this time around. ***1/2 from ****

The key to the movie is the scene when Patricia reads her essay (made with a little help from Father O'Maley) : to be (or not to be) is the final sense ,the common sense and the most important of them all.

Although it takes place in a Capraesque universe ,some of the subjects are not irrelevant today:Patricia who does not pass her exam on purpose ,any teacher of the world has met such a pupil! At a time when many marriages are broken ,the movie has a contemporary feel.

A priest -who 's going his way,to mention the first movie he appears in- and nuns ,with Ingrid Bergman as Mother Superior.And it's never dull,never tedious ,thanks partly to the marvelous chemistry Crosby/Bergman.They would give faith to a complete and utter heathen.

Remarkable scenes

-O'Maley's delivering his speech while the nuns roar with laughter cause the kitten is playing with the priest's hat.

-Patricia,reading her essay,which does deserve an A+

• My favorite is the play the kids perform before a very small audience (Sister Benedicte and O'Maley):the nativity scene.Sister tells they did everything by themselves."I would not change a line" O'Maley says. McCarey probably let his young actors improvise -and they are very cute-.Nowadays ,acting becomes more and more important in the national curriculum ,as soon as the pupils begin school:it works wonders for the children's self-confidence,teacher's honor!The boxing lesson (by the nun,not the priest) is probably largely improvised too.

-When O'Maley tells Sister Benedicte she won't be in charge of the school the next year ,she barely utters three words.Stunning.

Horace P.Bogardus seems to be out of a Capra movie,"you can't take it with you" comes to mind.

"The Bells" is also a musical made with taste; the songs always come at the right time ;best example : Crosby singing "song of beginning again" as the prodigal father accompanies him on piano.Phil Spector enjoyed the title track so much he had Bob B Soxx and the Blue Jeans record it on his Christmas record (1963):their version is sumptuous.

In spite of its sugar-coated side,"Bells" can still appeal to today's audience :Bergman's and Crosby's beaming faces can win anybody over .