The sequel to 1944’s best picture winning Going My Way, Bells of
St Mary’s reunites McCarey and Bing Crosby and then brings Ingrid Bergman
in for the Barry Fitzgerald role— this was nominated for all the people
involved- Bing, Bergman, MCarey and picture and didn’t deserve one of them
There’s a lot of talent involved even if Bergman and Crosby don’t
have half the chemistry Fitzgerald and Crosby do (to her defense, the
Fitzgerald character is just much stronger)- but the ensemble Una O’Connor
(from Bridge of Frankenstein among
other things) and Henry Travers (who would play Clarence the angel in It’s a Wonderful Life the following
year)
A massive hit—1945’s biggest
McCarey is a populist, plays this for broad laughs—not because
he’s tapping into something universal
Trademark straw boater hat for Bing
McCarey almost always takes shortcuts for sentimentality- an
embarrassing song here, literally has 1st graders acting out the
nativity story for 5 minutes – sap
Recommend but a fringe one—wouldn’t have a problem if someone
thought it wasn’t worth it—Bergman has a few nice moments and Bing’s effortless
affability is still something to behold
[…] The Bells of St. Mary’s – McCarey […]