The Bells of St. Mary's

At random (and also because it popped up on my Netflix Instant holiday movies suggestion list), I decided to watch The Bells of St. Mary's.




Bing Crosby's voice is so rich and deep...and kind.

Black and white is such an interesting medium for film. I can't tell if the gardens or grass are green, or if they're all dead and brown. I can imagine it both ways.

The kids just said the Pledge of Allegiance, and "Under God" wasn't in it. I guess that's because it wasn't incorporated into the pledge until 1954, and this movie was made in 1945.

Oh my goodness, it's Agnes!

This movie is sweet, and is a classic for a reason, but I'm not going to lie...I guess I'm accustomed to the faster pace of modern cinema...the stark absence of music from regular scenes, the long silences, the humor of the time...it just goes quite slowly.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you have a dishonest face? For a priest, I mean?"

I wonder if kid actors were trained all at the same place back then? They all act the same. Actually, everyone acts the same. All the inflections of the adults and children are exactly the same as majority of the movies I've seen from this time period. Why didn't I notice that before?

I do rather like that a nun is teaching a little boy how to box.

Hahahahaha!!!! He just punched a nun!!!!!! :D

"You have to know something to do anything, you know."

Finally, a song!

"Pardon the grammar, but aint life grand?!?"

Oh my goodness, the whole scene where the nun is coaching a young boy to beat up another...very strange. And, of course, the boys shook hands and made up, all in the name of ice cream. If only all issues could be resolved over two scoops :)

Little Bobby is adorable.
This Christmas play is PRECIOUS! Most definitely my favorite part of the movie thus far.

I love that the old man finds generosity, a dog, and respect of others in such a short period of time.

I find it interesting that, when Ingrid Bergman sang, it sounded a lot like Snow White in the Disney animated feature. Just the way the voice sounds...it's not really a vibrato, I think, but it's that sort of effect. I wonder if it has anything to do with the way they recorded sound back then?

I'm going to rate this 3.5 sugar plums out of 5. The story is a good one, the actors are simply legendary...but the film was so. very. unbelievably. slow. :pause pause pause pause pause: It :pause pause pause: took forever :meaningful glance followed by a pause pause: to finish. And, while some of it was necessary for effect, I would guess at least half an hour could have been shaved off had they not put an overemphasis on silence. But it was a sweet movie.