MovieChat Forums > The Singing Nun (1966) Discussion > Was the song 'Dominique' really unknown ...

Was the song 'Dominique' really unknown in France?


The Wikipedia says that despite the fact that the original Dominique was sung in French this song was censored and largely unknown of in France, the reason being that its refrain (Dominique, nique, nique) contains a French word for sexual intercourse. As the Wikipedia is not always correct, will someone please confirm it. Thanks.

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It is completely untrue. The song used to be very famous, and I am pretty sure that some people still remembers it.
Besides, from times to times, you can hear about the story of the nun on french TV (well, to be honest, it is quite rare!). I am just adding that in the real story, the nun was a lesbian, a fact not appearing in the movie.

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As anyone can edit it, Wikipedia is not always correct. It was probably a rumor; the song might have received some controversy in France because of its refrain but if you grew up in France and remember hearing "Dominique" frequently, I'll take your word. Last I checked on Wiki they took down that "rumor".

The Singing Nun did have quite an interesting and dramatic life, one that a 60s musical comedy could only convey a small fraction of. They probably did not make her a lesbian in that film because 1) people did not really know that about her then this film was made and 2) it would have been a difficult sell at a time before homosexuality was in the mainstream to have a musical comedy where the main character is a lesbian.

I would like to add that it is my theory that many people who join the priesthood or other religious orders that prohibit sex do so in pat because their sexual cravings are ones that are not commonly accepted in our society. Celibacy is a major barrier for many people who would otherwise want to join these orders from joining them. However, for those whose sexual orientations are not commonly accepted in our society- pedophiles and, until recently, homosexuals, they have to pay the "price" of celibacy even if they don't join the order so thus it becomes less of a barrier for them. I know I may sound a bit cynical, but I feel this is part of the reason why we have so many priests who are pedophiles.

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As anyone can edit it, Wikipedia is not always correct.


Acually altough it is true that anyone can add an article or edit an article, the people who run Wikipedia will not let anything stand that is totally made up- If the facts you add cannot be verified by solid references (references being NON-internet related references)- They will delete it.

I do not think the author of that article on Wiki was making it up, the poor woman did in fact have financial difficulties and ended her life along with her long time friend bacause of them, the same day a large amount of back royalties amounting to about 300,000 dollars came in.

We wish life would be ideal like the image of the nun made by Debbie Reynolds, but in fact it is not.

Even so, I do believe that "Sister Smile" was a woman of faith, and her song did indeed touch the world during the time after the assaination of JFK.

People of faith are usually also people of great paradoxes: Note I do not use the word contradictions, because I believe that a woman could be a nun, have Faith, and also be a lesbian: The three are not mutually exclusive.

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Just thru watching it on TCM. I well remember the song and the movie when they first came out. Take it for what it was supposed to be. A feel good movie with a happy but conflicted nun who finds happiness. Is that OK? yes, but if remade today they would have to put in sex, some nudity, some violence, etc. I say just "Let it be" as it was. There is a place in the world for feel good movies. In fact, I would like to see more first run happy movies in the theaters now.

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Actually the "people that run Wikipedia" hardly edit anything, it is other members like myself who edit the site trying to remove baloney (I hate the site to be honest due to me having to constantly remove rubbish). If something completely ridiculous is believed, or supported by many it because difficult to remove, and recently some have been using sites that are referencing Wikipedia as sources for that rubbish.

Wikipedia was a good idea but has become useless for the most part.

"Nothings gonna change my world!"

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Acually altough it is true that anyone can add an article or edit an article, the people who run Wikipedia will not let anything stand that is totally made up- If the facts you add cannot be verified by solid references (references being NON-internet related references)- They will delete it.

Don't know where you got that from. There are plenty of pages full of incorrect or made up info that has never been corrected.

You have the right to remain silent because whatever you say will probably be stupid anyway!

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I would like to add that it is my theory that many people who join the priesthood or other religious orders that prohibit sex do so in part because their sexual cravings are ones that are not commonly accepted in our society. Celibacy is a major barrier for many people who would otherwise want to join these orders from joining them. However, for those whose sexual orientations are not commonly accepted in our society- pedophiles and, until recently, homosexuals, they have to pay the "price" of celibacy even if they don't join the order so thus it becomes less of a barrier for them. I know I may sound a bit cynical, but I feel this is part of the reason why we have so many priests who are pedophiles.

Your theory makes no sense. Celibacy is not what attracts anyone into religious life. Those who go into it for the right reasons are there to devote their lives to serving the Lord and helping their communities. Those people make the sacrifice of celibacy because that is part of the deal.

Sexual deviants have no plans to be celibate. Their goal is to do what they're used to doing their entire lives - LIE! They hide who and what they really are because it allows them to live the kind of lifestyle they want without scrutiny or suspicion. In fact, some people will think highly of them because of the role they play as a religious figure rather than scorn them for their deviance. If these people were truly interested in curving their sexual appetites, they would not put themselves in target rich environments.

Priests live with other men; nuns amongst women; and all tend to be in close proximity to children, young adults and other people who tend to be trusting of clerics. For a sexual deviant this is probably equivalent to a trip to Disneyland.

The ones that go that route know they'll likely encounter others who share their lifestyle. I believe this makes up a very small group of clerics but they get around and cover for each other. Even those not involved with these deviant lifestyles can unwittingly make the problem worse.

When deviant behaviors come to the attention of church leaders, they may believe the claims these people are repentant, remorseful and seeking help to change. Of course, these are all lies but well-meaning church leaders try to do what they do, 'help'. Some may also want to avoid bad publicity and damage to the church or they may keep quiet what was confessed to them as they're required to do. The problem is, by not addressing these problems openly, directly and immediately, these 'well-meaning' leaders become part of the cover up that allows the deviants to continue doing exactly what they've always done.

Problems that get driven underground grow. The bad clerics move to other areas where they find more victims. By the time the truth finally comes out, the problem is widespread but it appears bigger than it actually is. To clarify, even one victim is already too big a problem. By saying 'bigger than the problem actually is' I'm referring to perpetrators. It may seem there are more involved than actually are. Their numbers are few but they have amassed a lot of victims.

By the way, deviants don’t just hide in religious life. It's not uncommon for them to date and marry people they're not at all interested in. Those relationships give them a chance to hide and, if that's their thing, have easy access to children and their unsuspecting parent(s).

Like most crimes in general, a relatively small group of offenders tend to commit a disproportionately large number of crimes. These relatively small groups are repeat offenders so they do a lot of societal damage. I believe most of us in society and most in religious life are good, decent, and honorable people. The few truly bad ones, like the proverbial 'bad apple' are found in any bunch. If they're not identified early on then dealt with quickly, they will adversely affect and contaminate some good apples too.

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Good points.

Most male pedophiles actually 'identify' as straight and enjoy adult women. They also pursue young boys. Many find jobs that keep them in proximity to their victims, like school teachers.

One thing that always bothered me when people objected to gay men as teachers, is that they posed no more risk to the boys than lesbians did to the girls.

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The question: "this song was censored and largely unknown of in France"?

Answer: No, don't think so.

This ( http://sites.estvideo.net/hit.parade/1964.html ) is supposed to be like a "billboard chart" for France for 1964. The album comes in at #70, so it was popular enough, it seems to show.

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I don't know why a modern film about this subject would have to include nudity and violence. It WOULD have to deal with the fact that the real woman lived an extremely tragic life after she left the convent. Whether she was a lesbian or not wouldn't alter that aspect.

"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

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Atually, in the movie as it stands there is some sex and violence in it. Dominique's sister poses for nude photographs, and her father hits her for it. There you go.

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