One of the best films i have seen

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Copyright 16 March 1948 by Jesse L. Lasky Productions, Inc. An RKO Radio picture. New York opening at the Rivoli: 16 March 1948. U.S. release: 1 March 1948. U.K. release: December 1948. Australian release: 30 September 1948. 10,924 feet. 121 minutes. SYNOPSIS: The events that follow the death of a young Hollywood actress whose body is taken to a drab Pennsylvania mining town for burial. Copyright summary.NOTES: Despite the popularity of Russell Janney's best-selling novel in America, the film version failed to ring any box-office bells on domestic release. It was not until the movie hit Australia - where Janney's book was virtually unknown, but Sinatra's name was super high - that the picture really prospered, placing no less than 22nd overall in that nation's top attractions for 1948! COMMENT: A picture that certainly has some really effective moments (the coffin rattling in the back of the truck during the long opening dialogue, the grimy, depressing setting of the mining town, and above all the two film-within-a-film extracts from Joan of Arc). Irving Pichel's conscientious direction often makes the script's sententious dialogue quite acceptable - skillful playing by the principals and lead support actors helps too - and sometimes gives the picture a bleak yet wistful mood and atmosphere that is both unusual and appealing. The only player who is not quite up to the mark is Frank Sinatra, making an early attempt at a dramatic role but obviously finding it difficult to shed his pop image. Production credits are impressive. But despite the picture's expansive budget and the talents here displayed by the photographer, the art directors and the film editor, most audiences found it difficult to retain their interest in the proceedings for two hours. To counter this problem, a 75-minute version was prepared (this is often the print aired by TV). Although skillfully condensed so that few viewers will be aware of the cuts, several key scenes - and some of the most forceful at that - have been deleted. Most of the opening dialogue in the hearse is missing, most of the Coal Town atmosphere, and - incredibly - the middle of the scene in which Leo Jacoby decides to shelve the Valli picture. MacMurray no longer argues with him, but accepts the executive's decision meekly, an attitude that makes his subsequent behavior somewhat incredible!

The Miracle of the Bells is directed by Irving Pichel, is based on the novel by Russell Janney and stars Fred MacMurray, Alida Valli, Frank Sintra and Lee J. Cobb.Fred MacMurray plays Bill Dunnigan, a Hollywood press agent who brings the body of a young actress called Olga Treskovna (Alida Valli)back to her home town for burial. He befriends the town Priest (Frank Sinatra) and tells him all about Olga and the film about Joan of Arc which she was making before her death.As a publicity stunt to make sure her death does not go unnoticed Dunnigan persuades local churches to ring their bells constantly in the days leading up to Olga's funeral. This generates a great deal of publicity and the news makes national papers.I've never been a fan of Valli but she is excellent in this. I really thought she was good in the scene where she auditions for the role of Joan. Her performance really comes from the heart throughout this film and it shows, she's so natural and full of feelings.MacMurray is good as the man who realises too late his feelings for Olga. Sinatra is quite different from the tough characters he usually played and comes across as gentle and devoted to the people he serves.Lee J. Cobb provides strong support as a film producer who has to decide whether or not to release Joan of Arc following the death of the lead star.A really good film and you find yourself wondering if a real miracle has occurred at one point in the film. A beautiful film filled with fine performances that should be better known today.

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but the fact that this film may be based on a true story makes the whole thing insaner than it really is. The dialogue alone may have you roaring in the aisles. Frank Sinatra as a priest with a priestly voice even sings a song and Fred McMurray towering over Sinatra as he stands next to him tries to act convinced and at times he almost succeeds. The one remarkable feature here is Alida Valli or as she was billed "Valli" trying to sell her as the new Garbo. She is stunningly beautiful. You wouldn't guess it for her performance here but she went on to star for Luchino Visconti in "Senso" and years later for Bernardo Bertolucci in "The Spider's Stratagem" What she's asked to do here is virtually impossible. To makes us care, let alone believe in what she's suppose to be telling us and yet, there is something, don't ask me what but something, that makes "The Miracle Of The Bells" a guilty pleasure of major proportions.

Having viewed Miracle of the Bells at least 20 times, I still get inspired by its central theme, that the world is a good place and we can each make it a little better. What many "Bells" viewers might not know is that the (Alida) Vali role is based on a historical person named Olga Treskovna who came from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Some exteriors and rear-screen projection scenes were shot in and around Glen Lyon and Nanticoke, PA (where much of the action takes place). The real Olga Treskovna is buried in St. Michael's Cemetery (of course the Parish cemetery of St. Michael's Church which has recently been razed.) The real statue of St. Michael, however, is at this writing still in the church yard. After more than half a century, it's still an inspirational movie with great performances from Lee J. Cobb, Fred Mac Murray and Vali despite several warts of weak acting here and there by others.