Vastly Underrated


This movie is in my top 20 and it only merits a 7.4 from imdb users. What gives? Barry Fitzgerald is so funny and perfectly cast as Father Fitzgibbons. Bing Crosby has always been underrated--often doesn't even make the AFI lists of top performers that so often include his counterparts like Fred Astaire. The movie itself is heartwarming and doesn't try too hard to be overly sentimental like the new movie Hugo I saw last night as well.

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Quite the opposite.

While this film has several cute moments, nothing really ever happens.

I love all classic films and I love Bing, but this movie is a real snooze-fest.

Sorry, had to say it.



6/10

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I don't think it's a snooze fest. It's not as touching and colorful as its "sequel" The Bells of St. Mary's, but stuff does happen: a homeless runaway finds love and career; a street gang is "converted" literally into a boy's choir; the elderly priest is presented with his even more aged Irish mother; the young trouble-shooting priest reaps the rewards of his efforts and decency - and even gets a song published.

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and after the tragedy of the fire, the church is rebuilt...

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They ~say~ it will be rebuilt, but it doesn't actually happen before the movie ends. The final scene is in a temporary alternate church.

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A 7+ mark is very healthy for a religious film. You could say 'Last Temptation of Christ' is underated for the same reason. With religious based films it always the controversal matter of love or hate, seldom involving tolerance and fair evaluation from either side........I'd take the 7.4 and count your blessings.

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[deleted]

You've been going around the boards spreading the same crap, and being shot down.

Not EVERY Catholic parish was suffering the through the same issues.

The garbage about Bing Crosby was just that...garbage. it was written by two of his sons to sell books, and to claim he was a drunk was hearsay.

You're a REALLY bitter person.

Get some help.

I don't act...I react. John Wayne

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And Bing's singing is effortless.... he just opens his mouth and that voice comes out. It's amazing.

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Overrated in my view. A lot of flaws are just flaws of the time but they are still there. Acting was weak and uneven. Obvious plot/scene contrivances that (thankfully) audiences are too sophisticated to allow any more. There was some okay humor in it but also some that made me cringe.

It was all just a little too simpleton-level for me. Plus that opera singer kinda made me want to end my life. Way too much of her.

But no doubt it had good intentions. Making allowances for the era in which it was made, I would condescend to rate it a 6.



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Clyburn, you get sick of Rise Stevens, one of the great opera singers? We are very fortunate to have preserved here her highly acclaimed Carnen and to hear her sing the Ave Maria and Going My Way. Can't you appreciate her magnificent voice?

You should think twice before parading your cultural ignorance.

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