The Miracle of the Bells (1948): Cast & Plot
The Miracle of the Bells is a 1948 drama directed by Irving Pichel, starring Fred MacMurray as William 'Bill' Dunnigan, Alida Valli and Frank Sinatra. It runs 2 hours.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h (120 min)
- Director
- Irving Pichel
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Miracle of the Bells About?
The premise of The Miracle of the Bells without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After the actress dies, the man who loved her brings her body to her hometown to honor her wish that every church bell toll for three days after burial. He discovers the cost is prohibitive; the checks he writes bounce. With banks closed for the weekend, he prays for a miracle before they reopen; a miracle happens, though not in the way he expected.
The Miracle of the Bells Themes & Keywords
· 32 tags- reference to joan of arc
- bell
- actress
- press agent
- fired from a job
- church bell
- publicity stunt
- faith
- movie producer
- poverty
- chinese american
- statue
+20 more Show fewer
- greed
- christmas eve
- doctor
- ambition
- polish american
- funeral
- priest
- tuberculosis
- coal miner
- reporter
- chorus girl
- chinese restaurant
- miracle
- pennsylvania
- church
- religion
- lung disease
- small town life
- catholic church
- based on novel
The Miracle of the Bells Cast & Characters
Fred MacMurray leads the cast as William 'Bill' Dunnigan, with Alida Valli as Olga Treskovna and Frank Sinatra as Father Paul. Directed by Irving Pichel; 50 actors are credited in all.
- Director Irving Pichel
-
Fred MacMurray as William 'Bill' Dunnigan -
Alida Valli as Olga Treskovna -
Frank Sinatra as Father Paul -
Lee J. Cobb as Marcus Harris
Also Starring in The Miracle of the Bells
· 46 more- Mabel Colcord Parishioner Witnessing Miracle
- Ian Wolfe Grave Digger
- George Chandler Max
- Franklyn Farnum Worshiper
- Ray Teal Koslick, Miner
- Max Wagner Baggage Man
- Frank Wilcox Dr. Jennings
- Brooks Benedict Drunken Man
- Frank Ferguson Dolan
- Chet Brandenburg Crew Member
- Syd Saylor Freddy Evans, the Pianist
- Billy Wayne Tommy Elmore
- Herbert Evans Nobleman in 'Joan of Arc'
- Jack Gargan Assistant Director
- Philip Ahn Ming Gow
- James Dime Miner
Show all 50 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert Haines Radio Listener
- Eddie Borden Crew Member
- Noble 'Kid' Chissell Worshiper
- Steve Carruthers Worshiper
- Charles Wagenheim Mr. Kummer
- Oliver Blake Slenka
- Walter Bacon Townsman
- Jimmie Horan Actor in Movie
- Charles Meredith Father Spinsky
- Dorothy Neumann Miss Millhouser
- Perry Ivins Druggist
- James Nolan Tod Jones
- Paul Cristo Soldier in 'Joan of Arc'
- Dorothy Sebastian Miss Katie Orwin (uncredited)
- Tom Stevenson Milton Wild
- Frank Pharr Bellringer
- Roy Darmour Reporter
- Harold Vermilyea Nick Orloff
- Al Eben Miner
- Roger Creed Soldier in 'Joan of Arc'
- Bert Davidson Bob Briggs
- Regina Wallace Martha
- Sam Bagley Crew Member
- Jean Spangler Woman in Church
- Michael Raffetto Harold Tanby, Harris' Assistant
- Bill Clauson Bellringer's Son
- Robert Bacon Soldier in 'Joan of Arc'
- Ned Davenport Priest in 'Joan of Arc'
- Veronica Pataky Anna Klovna
- George Cathrey Reporter
More from Irving Pichel
More films directed by Irving Pichel: Quicksand, Something in the Wind, Temptation and O.S.S..
The Miracle of the Bells Plot Summary
What happens in The Miracle of the Bells from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Fred MacMurray stars as a smooth-talking Hollywood press agent, Bill Dunnigan, who travels by train with the body of Alida Valli as Olga Treskovna, bringing her home to Coaltown, Pennsylvania, a coal town haunted by its hard-won pride and its dust-filled air. He returns Olga to a town that remembers her through the tolling of its bells and the whispers of a community that hopes for something better. Dunnigan’s mission is shaped by Olga’s dying wish to be buried in her hometown, a wish that immediately rouses friction with a funeral director who resents her because she never finished paying for her father’s burial. The tension grows as the local pastor of the more affluent St.
Full summary
The whole story of The Miracle of the Bells, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Miracle of the Bells?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrayed the Hollywood press agent Bill Dunnigan?
Cars in The Miracle of the Bells
4 cars on screen, including the 1941 Chevrolet 'Art Deco' and the Ford Model A.
-
1941 Chevrolet 'Art Deco' Important role -
Ford Model A Minor role -
1941 Chevrolet Special De Luxe Background role -
1929 Ford Model A Background role
The Miracle of the Bells Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Il miracolo delle campane” and “El milagro de las campanas”.
- Also known as
-
- Il miracolo delle campane
- El milagro de las campanas
- Die Glocken von Coaltown
- Čudo zvona
- Mirakelklockorna
Seen The Miracle of the Bells?
Movies Like The Miracle of the Bells
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Miracle Woman, The Miracle and Miracle.
The Miracle of the Bells FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Miracle of the Bells, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Miracle of the Bells?
The Miracle of the Bells runs 2 hours (120 minutes).
When was The Miracle of the Bells released?
The Miracle of the Bells was released on March 16, 1948.
Who directed The Miracle of the Bells?
The Miracle of the Bells was directed by Irving Pichel.
More films by Irving Pichel Who is in the cast of The Miracle of the Bells?
The Miracle of the Bells stars Fred MacMurray as William 'Bill' Dunnigan, Alida Valli as Olga Treskovna and Frank Sinatra as Father Paul, among 50 credited actors.
Does The Miracle of the Bells have a post-credit scene?
No. The Miracle of the Bells has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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