Singing Nun, The (1966)
Loosely based on Soeur Sourire, a Belgian nun who had a hit record, the catchy Dominique ("Dominique a neek a neek"), this average biographical drama features Debbie Reynolds in the title role, as Sister Ann, who's named her guitar Sister Adele. It was directed by Henry Koster (The Bishop's Wife (1947)), and features a screenplay written by John Furia Jr. and Sally Benson (Anna and the King of Siam (1946)) that was based on Furia Jr.’s story. Its Score was nominated for an Academy Award, Harry Schuman's (Song Without End (1960)) last Oscar nomination. The cast also includes Ricardo Montalban as Father Clementi, Greer Garson as the 'liberal' head nun of the mission - Mother Prioress, Agnes Moorehead as the mission's 'cranky' cook Sister Cluny, Chad Everett as Robert Gerarde, a friend of Ann's before she'd joined the convent who's now a record producer that ‘discovers’ her with his friend Father Clementi’s help, Katharine Ross as Nicole Arlien, the 'struggling to make ends meet' older sister of the song inspiring youngster Dominic (Ricky Cordell), whose alcoholic father is played by Michael Pate, and Juanita Moore as Sister Mary. Sister Ann's album is such a success that Ed Sullivan himself, with his assistant Fitzpatrick (Tom Drake), comes to Belgium to broadcast the song Dominique to his (worldwide?) live television audience. Jon Lormer appears (uncredited) as the Bishop who approves the marketing of Sister Ann's songs. Reynolds's character struggles with her commitment to God vs. the recognition she receives for her singing; meanwhile Everett's character tries to influence her to give up her vows for continued fame and (her own vs. the mission's) fortune, and him; her interaction with the Arlien family, particularly one specific incident (late in the film), helps her to decide her future and choose her path.
Most Recent Additions:
To Sir, with Love (1967) - full review!
You'll Never Get Rich (1941) - full review!
The Actress (1953) - full review!
Mannequin (1937) - full review!
All My Sons (1948) - full review!
Mourning Becomes Electra (1947) - full review!
State Fair (1945) - full review!
Billy Budd (1962) - full review!
Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) - full review!
The Bachelor Party (1957) - full review!
The Glenn Miller Story (1954) - full review!
The Southerner (1945) - full review!
The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966)
Never on Sunday (1960) - full review!
The Arrangement (1969) - full review!
A Summer Place (1959) - full review!
Miracle in the Rain (1956) - full review!
Love Letters (1945) - full review!
The Story of Dr. Wassell (1944) - full review!
The Absent Minded Professor (1961)
20000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
Come and Get It (1936) - full review!
The Prize (1963) - full review!
This Is the Army (1943) - full review!
Home from the Hill (1960) - full review!
Hangmen Also Die (1943) - full review!
The Shop on Main Street (1965) - full review!
The Good Guys and the Bad Guys (1969) - full review!
A Gathering of Eagles (1963) - full review!
This Happy Breed (1944) - full review!
Red-Headed Woman (1932) - full review!
Waterloo Bridge (1931) - full review!
Baby Face (1933) - full review!
Titanic (1943) - full review!
Cover Girl (1944) - full review!
Saratoga Trunk (1945) - full review!
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
The Young Philadelphians (1959) - full review!
Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)
Pocket Money (1972) - full review!
Week-End at the Waldorf (1945)
Judge Priest (1934) - full review!
Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935) - full review!
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970)
Angel Face (1952) - full review!
The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959) - full review!
Dallas (1950) - full review!
Springfield Rifle (1952) - full review!
Gaslight (1940) - full review!
The Gazebo (1959) - full review!
Passage to Marseille (1944) - full review!
The House on 56th Street (1933) - full review!
Annie Get Your Gun (1950) - full review!
Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964)
Lonelyhearts (1958) - full review!
Good News (1947) - full review!
Wild Rovers (1971) - full review!
Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) - full review!
Topper Returns (1941) - full review!
The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
The Barkleys of Broadway (1949)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
The Winning Team (1952) - full review!
The Hasty Heart (1949) - full review!
Storm Warning (1951) - full review!
The FBI Story (1959) - full review!
Firecreek (1968) - full review!
The Cheyenne Social Club (1970) - full review!
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
Green Dolphin Street (1947) - full review!
Two Weeks With Love (1950) - full review!
[Home] [Hitchcock] [Oscar's Best] [Essays] [Essential Films] [TCM Picks] [Obscure Films] [Links] [Other Reviews] [Academy Awards] [Silent Films] [Movie Index]
