GUEST REVIEWER: THE BELLS OF ST. MARYS

The late Bruce Kogan is back with his usual great reviews. This is the first time his review is being published since 2021. Bruce passed away in 2021...

Leo McCarey and Bing Crosby had such a mega-hit on their hands with Going My Way that a sequel in this case really was inevitable. If The Bells of St.Mary's does not quite hit the heights of Going My Way it's got nothing to apologize for. One thing that I do like about it is that you don't have to have watched Going My Way to get into the spirit of this.

Bing repeated his Father O'Malley character and in doing so got a second Oscar nomination. Until Al Pacino was nominated for Michael Corleone in both Godfathers One and Two, Crosby was the only performer ever to have been nominated twice for the same role. Because of Father O'Malley, Bing Crosby became probably the most well known Catholic lay person on the planet. And for better or worse it's the Crosby that is remembered when the knives came out for him after he died.

With Ingrid Bergman the damage was more immediate. Today if you asked the average movie goer to quickly name the part Bergman is best known for it would be Ilsa Lund from Casablanca. Back in the late 40s however the answer would be Sister Benedict. How a Swede who is identified as Swedish in the film could be a Catholic, let alone a nun is a mystery to me. But that's how good an actress Ingrid Bergman was. She became the personification of holiness so when Ingrid Bergman announced she was pregnant with Roberto Rosellini's child the reaction of the public was swift and terrible. Banish her from Hollywood and she was. Such is the power of the mass media. Consider folks like Errol Flynn and Robert Mitchum who had reputations as hell-raisers before scandal hit them. Such is the power of the silver screen and the images it creates.

Bing has some good songs here, he sings the title tune with different lyrics for the screen then for his record. It's the school anthem and he sings it with a chorus of nuns to back him. Those nuns do sing well and in key. I wonder if it was the inspiration for Sister Act.

Crosby also has two of his patented philosophical numbers, Aren't You Glad You're You and In The Land Of Beginning Again. And in keeping with the nature of the film, he sings Adeste Fideles and O Sanctissima.

Among the supporting cast I would single out Joan Carroll as the girl boarding with the convent housekeeper and Martha Sleeper as her mother. Sleeper had both looks and talent, she should have had a bigger career.

The Bells of St. Mary's is what we would deem fine family entertainment. It's also how the Catholic Church likes to see itself. It's a milestone movie for the careers of its stars. But what a cost...

BRUCE'S RATING: 9 OUT OF 10

MY RATING: 10 OUT OF 10

CD REVIEW: BING CROSBY - RARITIES FROM HOLLYWOOD

Here is a review from the pen of the great Scott Yanow from the publication The Syncopated Times...

There has never been a shortage of Bing Crosby recordings that were readily available. The most popular (and one of the most versatile) singers of the 1930s and ’40s whether on records, in films, on the radio and in live performances, all other male singers (including Sinatra) during the time period were, at best, competing for the #2 spot.

The two-CD set Rarities From The Hollywood Studios 1933-1959, which was compiled by Crosby fanatic John Newton from his collection, has its good (CD #2) and bad (CD#1) points. The first disc can be thought of as an endless infomercial for Crosby’s movies in the 1930s. The initial transcription is actually for a film (42nd Street) that Bing was not in. However in 1933 he had recorded two songs from the movie (“You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me” and “Young And Healthy”) and excerpts from those recordings are used on that brief commercial. The other seven tracks on the first disc (three are around 4 1/2 minutes apiece while the last four clock in at 12-14 1/2 minutes each) are long advertisements for various Crosby movies. There are brief excerpts of Bing singing some of the songs from the films, bits of dialogue from the movies, and plenty of endless cheerleading for the movies by the announcers. These commercials were made for the radio with the goal of boosting the attendance of such then-current films as College Humor, We’re Not Dressing, Here Is My Heart, Double Or Nothing, Paris Honeymoon, and Rhythm On The River. It all gets boring very fast and few will want to hear this twice.

The second CD is a different story altogether. Dating from 1934-58, one gets to hear Crosby performing songs originally recorded for the movies that include alternate versions, lengthier renditions before they were cut for the films, numbers that were discarded and not used at all, and some of his singing at rehearsals. None of this music was available before. Some of the performances are jazz-oriented while others are ballads with strings. Among the highlights are “Takes Two To Make A Bargain,” “Smarty,” “It’s Always You,” an alternate rendition of “By The Light Of The Silvery Moon,” “Say It Isn’t So,” and “Blue Moon.”

Bing Crosby fans will find much of value on the second CD which I wish had been released by itself...

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COMING SOON: BING CROSBY WINTER WARMER BEER

Bing Crosby Winter Warmer Returns!

The holiday season is here and we’re bringing back a fan favorite... our White Christmas Winter Warmer!

The holiday season is here and we’re bringing back a fan favorite... our White Christmas Winter Warmer! Inspired by Bing Crosby’s timeless classic, this winter brew pairs perfectly with chilly evenings by the fire or joyful gatherings with friends and family. With its rich, malty sweetness and warm spice notes, it’s crafted to keep your spirits bright throughout the season.

Whether you're enjoying it alongside a holiday meal or simply sipping while wrapped up in your favorite blanket, this delightful brew adds an extra touch of joy. Rush to the nearest store and bring home a taste of Christmas magic. Cheers to a warm and wonderful holiday season!

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