The Bells of St. Mary's

The Bells of St. Mary's - The worldly-wise Father Chuck O'Malley, is transferred to the soon-to-be-condemned school. Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) has come to St. Mary's parochial school to help keep the school going, the school badly needs money and repair.

O'Malley is free spirited, and feels a more friendly relationship with the students will spark their minds, however the head nun, Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) thinks a strict, discipline based system works better.

The two are always at odds, arguing and fussing. But these two opposites are going to have to work together to save the school from a shifty businessman's plans.

It is clear that each think their approach is in the best interest of the children. The good of the children is of paramount importance to both of them. This is abundantly shown by the length each will go to help the children.

In the mean time, a business man has designs on their grounds as a parking lot for his plant. he knows it is to be condemned soon.

In the mean time, the business man finds he had a heart condition. Maybe a sense or mortality. Or a sense of what he will leave in the world when he is gone.

Both Sister Benedict and Father O'Malley, convince him to give his factory to them to replace the school which is soon to be condemned.

A romantic story with a subtle sub current of a priest in love with a nun, in Platonic sense. In which the well being of one person, is dependent upon the well being of the other person.

In the end, Sister Benedict is sick and has to go away to recover. Father Chuck O'Malley, was advised by the doctor not to tell Sister Benedict why she was being transferred, but his heard couldn't take it. So he tells Sister Benedict (who had thought she was being transferred because of her disagreements with Father O'Malley). Sister Benedict was greatly relieved and she knows she will get well and return to teach the children that she loves.

When Father O'Malley is assigned as the priest of St. Mary's 
church and its elementary school, he is warned that the 
strong-willed nuns drove the previous priest into a rest home.

Not used to of running a school, O'Malley incurs the 
disapproval of Sister Mary Benedict, the Mother Superior and 
school principal, when as his first official act, Father 
O'Malley he grants the students a holiday.

As Sister Benedict shows Father O'Malley the dilapidated 
school building, she points to the building being built across 
the way and confesses that it is her dream to have its owner, 
wealthy, old curmudgeon Horace P. Bogardus, donate his 
building to the church. Later, O'Malley meets Bogardus when he 
complains about the children playing on the fence surrounding 
his building.

Bogardus warns O'Malley that unless the church agrees to sell 
him the school to use as a parking lot, he will ensure that 
the city Council will condemn it.

Later, Father O'Malley is approached by a desperate woman, who 
begs the priest to allow her little daughter Patsy to attend 
the school.

The woman tells the sad story of how her husband, a musician 
named Joe Gallagher, deserted her soon after the birth of 
their child and how she has had to depend on the generosity of 
men to support her young daughter.

Sympathetic, O'Malley agrees to care for the troubled Patsy, 
who experiences trouble adjusting to the school.

Sister Benedict visits Bogardus in his new factory and 
envisions a modern classroom and gymnasium there.

Overworked and aggravated, Bogardus is then paid a house call 
by his physician, Dr. McKay. He has a heart condition.

The doctor recommends relaxation and rest, Bogardus is 
furious about the sound of the school choir across the 
schoolyard and in anger. slams the window shut, causing it to 
shatter.

One day, O'Malley visits Patsy's mother with news that he has 
located her husband, who is now anxiously waiting to meet her 
in the hallway.

Mrs. Gallagher runs into the hall, and the couple is reunited 
after being separated for many years.

At the same time, Patsy, excited at the thought of her 
upcoming graduation, goes to visit her mother to show off her 
commencement dress.

Spotting her mother speaking to Gallagher, Patsy believes that 
he is one of her mother's clients and flees the building.

Patsy fails her exams, but O'Malley urges Sister Benedict to 
pass the girl in order to boost her confidence. The sister 
adamantly refuses, however, arguing that the school must 
maintain its standards.

Informed that she has failed her courses, Patsy somberly 
returns her graduation dress. Soon after, Sister Benedict 
becomes ill and O'Malley sends for Dr. McKay.

As they wait for the doctor's arrival, Sister Benedict 
criticizes Father O'Malley for writing to the Mother General 
about Patsy.

Although Sister Benedict explains that she is just tired and 
demoralized by her inability to save St. Mary's, the doctor 
insists on examining her in his office the next day.

On the doctor's way out, O'Malley questions him about 
Bogardus' heart condition and suggests that good deeds can 
cure a bad heart.

The next day, O'Malley meets Bogardus after he has just 
visited his physician. Bogardus is preoccupied by the doctor's 
diagnosis of his condition, but is consoled by O'Malley, who 
encourages him to perform good deeds.

Taking the priest's advice, Bogardus dashes into the street to 
save a stray dog.

After ushering an elderly woman onto her bus, Bogardus then 
proceeds to the church.

Astonished by the sight of Bogardus bowed in prayer, Sister 
Benedict approaches him and, after confessing that he has 
acted selfishly, he offers the nun his new building to use as 
a school, making her giddy with happiness.

The good news is soon clouded by Dr. McKay's diagnosis that 
Sister Benedict is suffering from the early stages of 
tuberculosis and should be sent to a dry climate and relieved 
of all strenuous duties.

Although the doctor cautions O'Malley to keep the sister's 
condition secret from her, the priest fears that sending her 
away without an explanation will lead her to believe that she 
was transferred at his behest.

As the sister arranges the furniture in the new classroom, 
O'Malley notifies her that she is being transferred, causing 
her to react with disbelief and sorrow that she will no longer 
be working with children.

Soon after, the girls prepare for their commencement ceremony 
as Patsy watches longingly in the distance.

Upon seeing her mother and her male escort enter the 
schoolyard, she ducks behind a post to hide, and when Sister 
Benedict observes her actions, she realizes that Patsy never 
told her mother that she has failed.

Anguished, Patsy asks for the nun's help and admits that she 
deliberately failed so that she could remain at the school.

When O'Malley introduces Patsy's parents to Sister Benedict, 
Patsy is dumbfounded to learn that the stranger is actually 
her father.

After Mrs. Gallagher promises Patsy a real home and a new 
life, O'Malley remarks that the couple has come to watch their 
daughter graduate.

Finally comprehending the enormous handicap under which Patsy 
has suffered, Sister Benedict relents and allows the girl to 
graduate.

After the ceremony, Sister Benedict visits the chapel one last 
time to pray for guidance. When she departs, bent in sorrow, 
O'Malley, overwhelmed with compassion, tells her the truth 
about her condition.

Immensely relieved, the sister fills with joy as she bids 
farewell to the priest.

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