This movie is a real tear-jerker. I first saw it in 1969 or 70. I cried then and I cried today as I watched it. I thought Valli's performance was spot-on for the audition of Joan of Arc but I remember Valli having a much more authentic performance of the cross burning scene during the filming of the Joan of Arc story. I also thought that the turning of the statues happened much earlier in the film but that can be easily dismissed as the fading memories that accompany age.Valli, (God rest her soul) turns in a stellar performance. One of Fred MacMurray's top performances, right up there with Double Indemnity. I thought Frank Sinatra's performance was good. No doubt, it may have been great if he were given a more dramatic role and additional lines/screen time. Lee J Cobb, what can I say - he always seemed to portray the same character, but better than anyone else could have done. I don't blame atheists for easily dismissing the film nor devout Christians reading more into it then what it represents. My personal thoughts are that the film "Miracle of the Bells" shows us that we, even as the most humble human beings, can do much more than we dream is possible to create a better world - a better humanity.

This is an impressing story that gets constantly more interesting as it develops. It starts in mild sadness as Fred McMurray comes to a rather sordid and backward Coal Town with a coffin in order to bury it there, as that apparently was the last wish of the deceased. In flashbacks her story is gradually revealed, and as the tragedy unfolds of a film star who got the chance of her life to make Joan of Arc to only die for it, the additional plots start to gather, involving tremendous complications piling up at Coal Town, where Frank Sinatra as a poorer parish priest gradually starts to play a part - he even gets the opportunity to sing a song. Well, the plot thickens and gathers momentum and grows to affect the whole of the United States, as also Lee J. Cobb as Fred's producer reluctantly is involved. The amazing phenomenon of the film is how it gradually develops into something of a cathedral in structure involving many people and many plots and subplots, and there is no surprise anywhere, not even any real miracle, everything is logic and natural and can be explained, as even Frank Sinatra honestly enough stands up to the naked truth, and still there is something of a miracle about it all, as all these people without any intention of their own get included in the fabric of destiny as it weaves its web around them all, finally even bringing Lee J. Cobb to his knees. It's an amazing film and story in all its simplicity and very touching basic humanity - the scene in the Chinese restaurant is my favorite and a marvel of humanity in itself. This is no legend, and there is nothing supernatural about anything here, but it's simply a very human story presenting the magic of life as it could happen anywhere and fill everyone with wonder in the pure incredibility of reality. This is a film to discover, enjoy - and love.

It is not one of my favorite holiday films, but it doesn't seem like the holidays without seeing it. It is a sweet movie. Valli is very beautiful and delicate in the role of the film star in her first "big role." I, too was a little put off by Fred MacMurray calling her 'baby' all the time, especially after years of watching My Three Sons. But it is a slight thing to put up with to enjoy this film, especially at Christmas time. Frank Sinatra is good in his role as the younger priest.I don't want to say too much about the film without giving away what happens. It is sad, almost maudlin at times. All I would add is that it is a great film to watch with all the others at Christmas, and one that most people do not think to include.

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.