The Bells of St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) is Leo McCarey's comedy-drama you can watch online on iFILM. Father O'Malley takes over a crumbling parish school that's one inspection away from the wrecking ball.

Running the place is Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman), gentle but immovable, devoted to her pupils. She and the new priest (Bing Crosby) disagree on nearly every method, and they spar about it with easy good humor. The real threat is a tight-fisted businessman next door who wants the building torn down for a parking lot, and talking him round looks hopeless. Underneath the warmth runs a quieter worry — Benedict's health is starting to fail.

The film picks up Father O'Malley's story from Going My Way (1944), Crosby crooning his way between scenes, and it became one of the biggest box-office draws of its year. It landed eight Oscar nominations — Best Picture and both lead acting slots among them — and took the statuette for sound. Bergman underplays it, warm without sugar, and she's what keeps the whole thing from turning into a greeting card. Old-fashioned cinema for anyone who likes a soft touch and an ending that stings the eyes. Stream The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) online on iFILM.