The Bells of St. Mary's

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

9.5K

YOUR RATING

Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby in The Bells of St. Mary's (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

9.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 6 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
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 reviews76

Review

Featured review

Many Times Better than "Going My Way"

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.