The Bells of St. Mary’s

(Leo McCarey, US 1945, 126 min., 35mm)

(Mostly) Happy Holidays. Bing Crosby returns to his role of Father O’Malley from Going My Way for this drama about a priest and a nun trying to save their school from closing. O’Malley is assigned to a parish with a school run by nuns. The Mother Superior and school principal is Sister Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman), who bristles at O’Malley’s more lax opinions and attitudes. The school is run-down, while a new building is being constructed across the street. Sister Mary’s hope is that the owner of the building will donate it for a new school, but he only hopes to tear down the school for a parking lot.