The Bells of St. Mary's Overview:

The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) was a Drama - Family Film directed by Leo McCarey and produced by Leo McCarey.

SYNOPSIS

The sequel to Going My Way is a sprightly McCarey concoction again featuring the ever-likable Crosby. In this outing, Father O'Malley finds himself at cross-purposes with Bergman's Sister Superior. While helping the nuns educate and discipline the local children, and improving a little girl's unhappy family life, he also finds time to save the school from demolition by a greedy land developer. Bing sings "Adeste Fidelis," "The Bells of St. Mary's," and "O Sanctissima" with a children's choir, and sings "Aren't You Glad You're You" and "In the Land of Beginning Again" solo.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1945 --- Ceremony Number 18 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorBing CrosbyNominated
Best ActressIngrid BergmanNominated
Best DirectorLeo McCareyNominated
Best Film EditingHarry MarkerNominated
Best Music - ScoringRobert Emmett DolanNominated
Best Music - SongMusic by James Van Heusen; Lyrics by Johnny BurkeNominated
Best PictureRainbow ProductionsNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

On Blu-ray/DVD: The Olive Signature Edition of The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)

By KC on Dec 10, 2019 From Classic Movies

I don’t know how I got decades into classic film fandom without seeing The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945). Yes, I thought it seemed like it could be excessively sentimental or cutesy (two things which happen to not be true), but I also love Ingrid Bergman in anything and Bing Crosby has grow... Read full article


Podcast: Going My Way and The Bells of St. Mary's

By Raquel Stecher on Nov 30, -0001 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film Blog

Here's a holiday treat! Listen to the latest episode of The Movie Palace Podcast where host Carl Sweeney and I discuss two classics: Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945).Happy holidays! Listen to "Going My Way/The Bells of St. Mary's" on Spreaker.... Read full article


Podcast: Going My Way and The Bells of St. Mary's

By Raquel Stecher on Nov 30, -0001 From Out of the Past - A Classic Film Blog

Here's a holiday treat! Listen to the latest episode of The Movie Palace Podcast where host Carl Sweeney and I discuss two classics: Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945).Happy holidays! Listen to "Going My Way/The Bells of St. Mary's" on Spreaker.... Read full article


See all The Bells of St. Mary's articles

Quotes from

Sister Mary Benedict: If we don't fail sometimes, our successes don't mean anything. You must be strong.


Mrs. Breen: You've obviously never been neck deep in nuns.


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Facts about

Although this movie was a sequel to "Going My Way", it was released by a different studio. "Going My Way" had been released by Paramount, to whom Bing Crosby was under contract. "The Bells of St. Mary's" was released by RKO, a studio for which Crosby had never worked.
This movie was made before the words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance, and the children recite the original version without that addition.
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 offscreen priest-advisor jumped up roaring in protest.
read more facts about The Bells of St. Mary's...
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Best Picture Oscar 1945






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