The Bells of St. Mary's
The Whole World's in Tune... with Bing and Bergman together at their most brilliant best!
1945 | 126m | English
Popularity: 3 (history)
| Director: | Leo McCarey |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Dudley Nichols, Leo McCarey |
| Staring: |
| Father O'Malley is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements. | |
| Release Date: | Dec 27, 1945 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Leo McCarey |
| Writer: | Dudley Nichols, Leo McCarey |
| Genres: | Comedy, Drama |
| Keywords | nun, priest, school, black and white, church, catholic |
| Production Companies | RKO Radio Pictures, Republic Pictures, Rainbow Productions |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $21,300,000
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Feb 01, 2025 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Bing Crosby | Father Chuck O'Malley |
| Ingrid Bergman | Sister Mary Benedict |
| Henry Travers | Horace P. Bogardus |
| William Gargan | Joe Gallagher |
| Ruth Donnelly | Sister Michael |
| Joan Carroll | Patsy Gallagher |
| Martha Sleeper | Mary Gallagher |
| Rhys Williams | Dr. McKay |
| Richard Tyler | Eddie Breen |
| 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) |
| Peggy McKim | Schoolgirl (uncredited) |
| Betty Jean Nichols | Schoolgirl (uncredited) |
| Georgie Nokes | Boy (uncredited) |
| Eva Novak | Nun (uncredited) |
| Joe Palma | Workman (uncredited) |
| Dewey Robinson | Pedestrian Pulling Bogardus from Under Truck (uncredited) |
| Cora Shannon | Elderly Woman (uncredited) |
| John Smith | Choir Member (uncredited) |
| Pietro Sosso | Blind Man (uncredited) |
| Minerva Urecal | Landlady (uncredited) |
| Edna May Wonacott | Delphine Ford (uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Dudley Nichols | Screenplay |
| Harry Marker | Editor |
| William Flannery | Art Direction |
| Darrell Silvera | Set Decoration |
| George Barnes | Director of Photography |
| Stephen Dunn | Sound Recordist |
| Harry Scott | Assistant Director |
| Robert Emmett Dolan | Original Music Composer |
| James G. Stewart | Sound |
| Richard Van Hessen | Sound |
| Louis Kaufman | Musician |
| Leo McCarey | Director, Story |
| Edith Head | Costume Design |
| Albert S. D'Agostino | Art Direction |
| Vernon L. Walker | Special Effects |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Leo McCarey | Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globes | Best Actress | Ingrid Bergman | Nominated |
| Venice Film Festival | Best Actress | Ingrid Bergman | Won |
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 | 13 | 22 | 7 |
| 2024 | 6 | 11 | 26 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 5 |
| 2024 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 6 |
| 2024 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 5 |
| 2024 | 10 | 9 | 22 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 | 9 | 20 | 5 |
| 2024 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Trending Position
With the possible exception of Julie Andrews, I don't think I've seen anyone more suited to the role of a nun than Ingrid Bergman. Here she runs the eponymous school for young children. The arrival of the new Father "O'Malley" (Bing Crosby) causes a few ripples - they gently clash on the approach to ... educating the children, but for the most part remain focused on trying to get their neighbour "Mr. Bogardus" (Henry Travers) to donate a building he owns next door, so the school can extend. Essentially an engaging triple-hander, this is an enjoyable feel-good film that demonstrates the skills of all three, very much in their element, with a solidly uplifting story and the odd bit of crooning from Crosby. It is a bit too long, but the ending is a little heart-rending - if also just a bit dragged out - and it has something of a Christmas feel to it that makes it easy to watch.