THE SINGING NUN
US, 1966, 99 minutes, Colour.
Debbie Reynolds, Ricardo Montalban, Greer Garson, Agnes Moorehead, Chad Everett, Katharine Ross, Ed Sullivan, Juanita Moore, Michael Pate, Tom Drake.
Directed by Henry Koster.
The Singing Nun is a cheerful musical – and it was released in the year following the success of The Sound of Music. (Singing nuns were parodied by Helen Reddy in Flying High 2.)
The film was based on the early life and career of Sister Sourire, the real Belgian singing nun. She was born Jeannine Deckers. The nun had a hit in 1963, ‘Dominique’. She also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and raised a great deal of money for Catholic causes.
At the end of the film, the sister leaves to go to work as a missionary in Africa, despite the hint of a possible romance with a school friend, played by Chad Everett. Greer Garson appears as the mother superior and Katharine Ross as one of the young women.
The real-life story of the sister is much sadder. The real sister did leave the convent, but she went to live with her long-time partner and Philips Records dropped her contract. She fell on difficult financial times and, in 1985, she and her partner committed suicide.
However, this is a Hollywood version of a popular story – and, at that level, is a very cheerful film.
1. How entertaining was this film? Why? A musical, comedy? Debbie Reynold's personality? Panavision and color?
2. Could the film be called religious? In what way?
3. What presuppositions about religion, nuns and their life, nuns and their work did the film have? Did it give a realistic impression? Or was it "the Hollywood type of religious film"? Sentiment was very strong in the film. Was the film sentimental? As regards the nuns' life, as regards Ann's working for the poor?
4. The film was loosely based on fact. Did the film give the air of reality? Or was it a fantasy kind of film?
5. What wore the main impressions that the nuns gave? As dedicated persons, as women, the quality of their religious life and work? How attractive was their way of life?
6. How did Debbie Reynolds fit into this atmosphere an Sister Ann? Was she convincing as a nun? The initial ride on the motor scooter, her taking over Samaritan House, her relationship with the nuns, especially Sr Mary, her relationship with the Prioress and Sr Cluny, the temptation of fame and working in records, her missionary work at the end? How attractive, how convincing?
7. How enjoyable were the songs? their purpose in the film? their impact on people ? the record company, the press presentations of Sr Ann, the Ed Sullivan Show? Are the songs attractive in themselves?
8. How interesting was the presentation of fame for a nun? The recording and TV atmosphere? This kind of world and the convent?
9. How real were the choices for Sr Ann? Were they well presented?
10. How real was Robert, as a character? As providing a convincing romantic interest in the film?
11. The importance of the sub?plot about Nicole and her brother? As a picture of the nun's apostolic work? Sr Ann's mistake in interfering? And yet the final dependence upon her? Was this genuinely moving?
12. The presentation of the Prioress ? Greer Garson style? Sr Cluny, Agnes Moorehead style? Sr Mary and the interst in an African nun?
13. How convincing was Father Clementi and his pushy character? His work as a priest, as a con?man, as a business agent?
14. How convincing was the ending with Sr Ann choosing the missions for her vocation?
15. The film got generally bad reviews. Were they warranted? Was the film made for popular audiences and not critics?
